Coming close on the heels of their musical score of Rock On, the team of Shankar Ehsaan Loy come out with yet another scintillating score in Zoya Akhtar's debut directorial movie, Luck By Chance. The best thing about this trio is that they always have something new to offer and the fact that they are constantly pushing their boundaries. They team up with Javed Akhtar, yet again, for this film and compose six numbers, each of which stands out for its unique musical quality.
The album begins with the number 'Yeh Zindahi Bhi', which has been sung by Shekhar Ravijani of the Vishal-Shekhar fame and Loy Mendonca. The number has Shekhar pitching it really softly for a number that is very reflective in mood. It has a soft feel to it and Shekhar excels in conveying the mood very successfully.
The next number on the album is 'Baawre' which is a fusion track, where rustic Rajasthani folk elements have been tweaked with a Western flavour. Like the previous number, this number too is very catchy, though the mood is much more exuberant. Giving voice to the number are Shankar Mahadevan along with Loy Mendonca and the Rajasthani ensemble comprising of Ila Arun, Mumay Khan, Babu Khan, Manzoor Khan and Rajab Khan. The number begins with a beautiful alaap before moving into a rhythmical rendering by the rest of the singers. The two elements have been so beautifully melded together in the song that there is nothing forced about it. The singers do a wonderful job as well. This number appears in a remixed avatar as well, which, however does not match the original. One could have done without it.
'Pyaar Ki Dastaan' sees Mahalaxmi Iyer and Amit Paul doing a wonderful job with this romantic number. Mahalaxmi has a wonderful girlish quality in her voice which serves the purpose of this song very well. Amit Paul also takes this opportunity to display his vocal prowess. Both are quite impressive in this duet. Note prefect.
Sunidhi Chauhan comes into sing just one number, 'Yeh Aaj Kya ho Gaya', and she leaves her royal stamp on it. Nobody else but her could have sung the song with such ease and attitude. This is one of those feel-good kind of numbers. It has a sunny, exuberant mood and Sunidhi's powerful vocals are just right for it. One has to credit the music composers for picking on the just the right singer for each number.
The next song sees a drastic change in mood with Shankar Mahadevan coming in to sing, 'Sapnon Se Bhare Naina'. This number too sees a kind of fusion between Indian classical and pop elements and who better than Shankar to render it. His hold on the classical medium is apparent once again as he enriches the number with a profuse use of sargams and renders it in the thumri style. This is another mellow, philosophic number which sparkles due to Shankar's superb vocal play. This number is probably the USP of this album. Shankar ends the album with the number 'O Rahi Re,' again a song which is pensive in tone.
The hallmark of this album is not just the music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy but also the lyrics which have been penned by Javed Akhtar. There is a certain simplicity in each of the songs, and Akhtar does a marvelous job in being able to convey profound emotions and deep feelings with such utter simplicity. Each of the songs on this album reflect this rare gift of the poet.
The album of Luck By Chance has a certain freshness to it which is absolutely endearing. It sounds different due to the composers, who have stretched themselves creatively, and given us an album which is unconventional, where Hindi film music is concerned, but yet so lilting and musically enriching. This is one of those albums which calls for repeated hearings. A great effort by the composers.
