Album Review: MM Keeravani - RRR

A new SS Rajamouli movie is always something to be excited about as a fan of Indian music. As Bollywood's output has died, Tollywood (Telugu films) have risen in popularity, with few music directors (producers) more successful than MM Keeravani. He regularly works with Rajamouli, and his latest soundtrack is no exception. While it does not live up to their previous collaboration, Bahubali 2, RRR's soundtrack is strong, and will likely improve with time.

Dosti (Hemachandra and MM Keeravani)

Dramatic slow tracks like this are a regular of Keeravani's musicals, with Oka Pranam perhaps the best and most successful of them. Dosti is not as good but is quite close. I love the massive army of supporting vocalists, assisted by the interplay with traditional Indian instruments. The track received a non-film MV, perhaps to support the popularity of them these days. Dosti is a little elongated, but the violin breakdown late into the track is more than worth the wait.

Rating: 8.75/10

Naatu Naatu (Kaala Bhairava, Rahul Sipligunj)

Easily the most popular track from RRR, Naatu Naatu is assisted by one of the actors of the film (NTR Jr. and Ram Charan)'s most intense dances yet. It makes sense that this song is one of the most upbeat in the entire film. With a sharp filter for each and every hook. From the extended dance breaks to the intense thump of the chorus, Naatu Naatu is pure mass at its very best. The breaking filter near the end of the track could very well be imagined as an audio error, but somehow works on pushing the intensity of the track up to eleven.

Rating: 9/10

Janani (MM Keeravani)

After several vocalist-led tracks, Janani instead switches things up for a choir-led ode to India. There are certainly better examples of this, but Keeravani's piano-driven instrumentation works well over the slow traditional Indian refrains. Janani might not be one of the album's best moments, but it works as a great ballad.

Rating: 8.5/10

Komuram Bheemudu (Kaala Bhairava)

A title song for one of the two central characters of the movie, the historical leader Komaram Bheema, Komuram Bheeumudu is the massive slow track one expects from a Keeravani soundtrack. Unfortunately, Kaala's performance is somewhat inferior to his other appearances on the soundtrack, and the melodic style has been done better earlier in the film. At least the massive instrumental is worthy of praise.

Rating: 8/10

Raamam Raaghavam (Vijay Prakash, Chandana Bala Kalyan, Charu Hariharan)

Raamam Raaghavam instantly kicks the album back into high gear. Written entirely in Sanskrit, Raamam Raaghavam merges classical Indian Ragas with an epic rock instrumental. The chanted hook continues to build until the song's end, exploding in one of the year's most overwhelming climaxes, with the chanted bols over the central refrain merging with the rock beat and classical high-notes for great effect.

Rating: 8.75/10

Etthara Jenda (Vishal Mishra, Prudhvi Chandra, M.M. Keeravaani, Sahithi, Harika Narayan)

Throughout the entire soundtrack, Etthara Jenda just might be the safest song. Do not mistake that for generic though, as Etthara Jenda is also one of the best tracks on the record. An ode to India's various freedom fighters, Etthara Jenda brings together an entire army of singers for the entire album. The chorus is an earworm, riding the Tabla beat for great effect.

Rating: 9/10

Komma Uyyala (Prakruthi Reddy)

Every Keeravani soundtrack provides a song designed to pull on your heartstrings, Komma Uyyala is the track for RRR. In a clever choice, child singer Prakruthi Reddy sings the track, providing the emotional pathos virtually no adult could embed within the song. It also helps that Keeravani saves one of his best melodies for this song. While other songs through the soundtrack might be more technically complex, none broke me Komma Uyyala.

Rating: 9/10

Cumulative Rating: 8.7/10

Overall Score: 8.5/10

After JYOCHO's Let's Promise to be Happy and Hikaru Utada's Bad Mode, the soundtrack for RRR might be the best album this year. Solid throughout, RRR breaks out into some fantastic musical moments, while also playing true to Keeravani's maximalist style. If you enjoy musicals, this album is a must-listen.

Image Source: Binged