Music review: 'Dear Zindagi'

Rating: 3 stars

With its touching story, strong performances and memorable music, Gauri Shinde���s directorial debut 'English Vinglish' impressed critics and audiences alike.

No wonder there is a lot of speculation around her upcoming film, '

Dear Zindagi

'. However, unlike its predecessor, this movie doesn���t have songs that have a high recall value despite Amit Trivedi being the composer, who had created the soundtrack of the earlier film too.

The album starts off with 'Love You Zindagi'. With her trademark innocence, Jasleen Royal sings the track in her woman-child voice while Amit croons the background vocals. The song, which is all about embracing life with a smile, is light, breezy and the kind that you would like to hum to yourself when you are happy.

Despite the use of guitar and mandolin, 'Tu Hi Hai', by Arijit Singh fails to make an impact. It is a forgettable tune and for some reason, you visualise it more as a background track rather than the actors lip-syncing to it.

This is followed by 'Taarefon Se'. A typical jazz number, it will prompt you to waltz with your beloved.

'Let���s Break Up' talks about the perils of modern-day relationships and is a typical disco number, replete with the use of bass guitar, keyboards and drums. Though Vishal Dadlani sings it with the necessary gusto, the composition itself is nothing home to write about.

'Just Go To Hell Dil' is about heartbreak, albeit with a difference. Rather than harping about the travails of being in love, it has Sunidhi Chauhan emoting how the heart has a mind of its own. The use of violin lends it the right note of melancholy while Sunidhi sings it with pathos making it a song that you would want to listen to on rewind mode after a break-up.

'Love You Zindagi' (Club Mix) by Amit and Alia Bhatt is a remixed version of the title track. Alia sings it with panache and adds her own touch of mischief to it.

The highlight of this album is the 2.0 version of Illaiyaraaja���s cult composition, 'Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le'. Amit gives it a rock and roll vibe while Arijit sings it beautifully. His soulful voice takes the number a few
notches higher. Simply put, close your eyes and soak in the spirit of the song.

Alas, the same cannot be said about the Take 2 version of the track, sung by Alia. Though the actress tries hard, she is unable to infuse life into this hip hop number.