When Shankar Ehsaan Loy(SEL), Gulzar & Shaad Ali team up expectations are always very high after their runaway success with Bunty Aur Babli. The team does a more than decent job with Jhoom Barabar Jhoom(JBJ) though it would be hard to compete with their previous success

‘Jhoom’- The title song of the film is sung by Shankhar Mahadevan apparently picturized on one Amitabh Bachchan dancing in his eclectic new get up. The music starts up with a touch of “Devrish” music from the middle-east. But then it moves into a peppy Bhangara number with catchy words – Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Sure to make it rounds on the dance floors in DJ land.

Bol Na Halke Halke is a sweet romantic song with a wonderful rustic touch to it. The song opens with lovely folk drumming. The song has wonderful lyrics

Dhaage tod laao chandni se noor ke
Ghoonghat hi banaalo roshni se noor ke.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Mahalakshmi Iyer do a great job presenting the right feeling.  The lovely classical Shankar Mahadevan style interludes blend classical music seamlessly into the pieces.  Ehasaan’s slick interludes provide a good western pickup to the song. A song that would certainly go well with candlelight and fine wine..

‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’ is a more traditional Bhangara number. It is another version of the title track but this time sung by singers by K.K, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Shankhar and Sukhvinder Singh. It has a much higher energy level with more standard Bhangara lyrics and a prominent dhol sound. Yet another fun number with great chartbusting potential!

'JBJ' is a sort of remix. Actually it has a very different sound from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom with some very interesting technomusic and rap. This track has been rendered by Shankhar, Zubeen and Alisha and it retains the Punjabi touch but sounds different and unique. The rhythm and pace are catchy and fast. It’s an interesting track and should have a fun picturisation.

'Kiss of love' is a really cute number. A true kichadi it mixes Hindi, English and Punjabi all into one pot.  The music has nothing special to it and can be considered a rather typical bollywood number. But the renditions by Vishal(of Vishal-Shekhar) and Vasundhara Das make it special and yet again this could become popular.

‘Ticket to Hollywood' has Neeraj Sridhar crooning the lyrics which are different and fresh and the play of words makes for interesting hearing. It is upbeat in keeping with the other tracks in the film. There are a few English catchy phrases used but the style and rhythm is Indian flavor.

In keeping with tradition SEL do not disappoint. While it is a nice album how it will catch on with the masses is something that we need to wait and see..

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