7 Khoon Maaf Music Review: Darrrrling…Vishal Bhardwaj returns with his acoustic treat in 7 Khoon Maaf. This powerhouse of talent is also a terrific music composer, that we all know. Nevertheless, this man never ceases to surprise himself as well as the audience when it comes to his films and their music.
Vishal gets his all-time hit and favourite Gulzar saab to pen the lyrics for 7 Khoon Maaf. Though the film is a murder-thriller, music buffs, including me, were not expecting much from the album. But if it’s Vishal and Gulzar, don’t we know it’s going to be a jewel of a music album. Oops! did we spill the beans!
Let’s cut to the chase straightaway. You are guaranteed to get hooked to Darling, the only song currently on promos, but you will be shocked to learn who has sung this incredible number? It’s Usha Uthup, who begins the song with Darrrrling and later the tangy voice of Rekha Bharadwaj takes the song forward. The song takes its time to build the tempo and hence drama. By the time it ends you are into it, drenched in its music. The song is reportedly inspired from the Russian chorus song Kalinka, but it’s not devoid of Indian or Bollywood feel. It won’t be less than an explosion when it comes alive on screen with the feisty Priyanka Chopra crooning this addictive number.
Another version of Darling is more dramatic and romantic in its mood. Rekha and Usha Uthup again get a chance to influence us with their dynamic vocals. Like the original, Doosri Darling is also a delight for your auditory senses.
It’s not always a female voice that entices and beguiles. Here is Vishal Bhardwaj singing Bekaaran and drifting you from this materialistic world to the other realm where only beauty holds meaning. The song, a quasi-ghazal soused in classical music and yet very contemporary, will lure with its beautiful, poetic lyrics. As Gulzar writes, aapko dekh kar bade der se meri sans ruki hai; the song also has same impact, it will take your breath way.
Next in the album is O’ Mama which can sound very disturbing after hearing the Darling and Bekaaran. But as 7 Khoon Maaf is a dark film, songs like this are justified even if its offbeat lyrics and haunting music spook us. But at the same time the song’s distressing mood and its lyrics sounds entertaining and truly rocks us. The O’Mama Acoustic is another version which is restrained and surreal. The small track of just one-and-half minutes, with just the guitar strumming in the background, can smooth your senses after the racy rock beats of the original O’Mama.
The album continues its melancholy strain with Awaara in the voice of Master Saleem which echoes the pathos of a wanderer, his fear of loneliness. Yes, it sounds very much like Albela Sajan from Hum Dil Chuke Sanam, but it’s just because of the raagas.
7 Khoon Maaf throws another shocker: after Usha Uthup you will listen to singer Suresh Wadkar in Tere Liye. This soft number is easy on the ears and is like a typical Vishal number apt for a quiet evening. A must-hear track with words like, Tere liye Kishmish chune, pistey chune, kaaju ke saude kiye. Make believe!!
After Dil Dil Dilli from No One Killed Jessica, it’s the turn of Dil Dil Hai. Yes both the songs rhyme and have got the same rock feel. This number is the only song of the album which lacks the spunk.
Susanna’s prayer Yeshu pierces your heart. She is alone, troubled and has no one to soothe her. Who else than Rekha Bhardwaj to sing this number which is not a church song or a religious one but defines the moment of crisis in the protagonist’s life; she is crying for help to God, yet complaining. The album ends in a serious, sad mood.
As said earlier, Vishal likes to surprise the music buffs and with the somber, dark numbers, he has done it again. Bewildered, we are not going to forgive him for this stupendous 7 Khoon Maaf album.
