Music Review: Margarita With A Straw ' Mr X

Margarita With A Straw; Zee Music Company

Music: Mikey McCleary, Joi Barua (Guest Composer)

1. Dusokute (Duet): Joi gets us all nostalgic about college with this soft rock number. Sharmishta, comes at end of track, but has forgettable voice by comparison. This version could have been done without.
2. Dusokute: The only version of the Joi Barua song you need.
3. Foreign Balamwa: Might well be a marching tune. Has that energy and verve that can get you through a day. Unusual choice for love song. Sonu Kakkar shines.
4. Choone Chali Aasman: Rachel Varghese gets bluesy on this one. Perfect voice casting. 
5. Meri Aadat Mera Hissa: Anushka Manchanda quite unlike how you’ve otherwise heard her on a Bollywood album. Her voice with accompanying guitar and piano makes this one all the more candid and personal. The girl has fantastic range. 
6. I Need A Man: Vivienne Poocha is one of the strongest voices in the business. This uptempo jazz track conjures up a Chicago (the musical)-like feel. This one is right up Mikey’s alley. 
7. Don’t Go Running Off Anytime Soon: The album’s composer turns singer for this one. This one is perfect on your playlist on a lazy afternoon.
8. Aai’s Aalaap: Rajnigandha Shekhawat is a voice to watch out for this emotional yet minimalistic track.
9. Laila’s Theme: This instrumental piece might well be the beating heart of the film.  

Verdict:
YO: Mikey’s in top form. Joi does pretty well to stand out with his one track. Prasoon Joshi on lyrics consistently provokes you to ponder. A thinking person’s album, this one can be heard sans skips for its superb range. Not for those who are too used to conventional Bollywood music.

Mr X; Sony Music
Music: Jeet Gannguli, Ankit Tiwari

1. Tu Jo Hai: While Ankit’s in top form here, lyricist Monish Raza’s verse is kinda disappointing once you get past the mukhda 
2. Mr X: Mili’s powerful vocals dominates, even as Mahesh Bhatt makes a force-filled ‘You can call me...’ debut on this Jeet track.
3. Saad Shukrana: Ankit again. Manoj Muntashir’s words work well. for this soul-searcher.   
4. Alif Se: Neeti Mohan leads on this Ankit track. Sounds a bit over-produced initially.
5. Teri Khushboo (Male): Arijit Singh’s sharp as ever on this Jeet track. Clean, crisp notes, but a little too melancholy for our liking.
6. Teri Khushboo (Female): Ditto with Palak Mucchal’s version, just a little lighter

Verdict:
SO-SO: Competent compositions, but sounds somewhat complacent, soundscape-wise. Also, being moody in tone doesn’t serve its cause.