Review of Classically Mild by Sonu Niigaam (Nigam)

The prince of vocals - Sonu Nigam has come up with another everlasting marvel. Its called “Classically Mild”. The album comes after a long era of Sonu’s silence on the pop front and has been almost three years. While it has been a punitive wait for the millions of fans out there, one listening proves that it has been worth it. The work is best in the class and a first attempt of its kind on the pop front. Sonu has made a strong statement with the album and that is that he leads creativity when it comes to vocals and music. When one reaches a stage where they have ‘been there done that’, seeking challenges is not always fruitful. And one has to set milestones and wander into realms where none has been ever before.

Before you read further first things first. This is not an album that one would understand in the first listening. Something like Deewana wherein all songs were romantic and the only song that sounded different was “Deewana Tera”. Also, listening to this album is not unlike watching a movie studded and packed with stunts. Unfortunately there are few who understand the complexities of rendering vocals in classical music. The album is a medium of the artist’s creativity and expression and not a medium of the director. Thus focus has been completely on good, authentic music and some path breaking vocals. Attempting to review such artwork is only futile and a small attempt of mine to translate ‘excellence’ into a layman’s language.

Sonu is a perfect perfectionist — if that makes sense. From establishing excellence as a TV show anchor, a mimicry specialist to setting mile stones in the finesse of rendering vocals, he is a talent in many disciplines. Though Sonu’s classical training is still arguably ‘mild’ and he states so at the release of the album, it is in fact a modest statement in itself considering the fact that Sonu had the rare fortune of training in live studios. All the hardwork perfecting Rafi’s songs reflects in the precision evident in his songs. The second leverage is the face that Sonu is the son of a well known singer, which is a major factor in building the right perception of the art.

The album is based on Indian classical music and is a fusion. In the age of instant coffee where patience sounds alien, the music has been presented keeping in view the audiences perspective. This album though is a collectors choice. The music contains vocals which have never been attempted in the history of pop music. Aptly referred as the God of vocals (by me) Sonu has long established his rank as a supreme disciple of the art. Sonu’s sonorous voice enriches the music as rain does to barren dry land.

The vocals being classical carry a strong feeling of light classical forms of music resembling a thumri (in a fast tempo - drut) molded into a western form (though the music too is based on ragas). The album is quite reminiscent of the excitement Ustaad Bade Ghulam Ali’s inspires though you can’t (shouldn’t) compare the two legends. Here are the highlights from the album.

1. Sochta Hoon Main

   Not the best introduction into the album the song does set the standards of the kind of vocals to expect going forth.

2. Bheege Bheege

   Odd music punctuated with melodious preludes and amazing transitions between notes.

3. Soona Soona

   Enriched with beautiful and fine murkis and taans Sonu has made a statement. Complete control over the vocals the rendering is flawless demonstrating amazing precision and mastery. The hard work shows in this one. A typical classical inspired fusion.

4. Suratiya

   These are the kinds of songs I want to see Sonu sing. He has mastered the nuances of music. Its time he realizes which one suits him the best. Sonu should be singing more songs like these.

5. Chhalki Chhalki

   Another sweet melodious romantic number. The music and singing build up a perfect mood and one can visualize ambiance.

6. Dhanya Dhanya

   Soft and melodius this song is quite similar in feel to Suratiya.

7. Lamha Lamha

   A slow song, it has a more contemporary film music feel to it.

8. Ai Dil Mat Ro

   My current favorite. I have been listening to this song through night and day. The song portrays a very specific loneliness, sad, nostalgic feeling. It essentially is a sad heartfelt expression of pain. I should say that its been a long time since I heard a sad song like this. It has been years. I don’t know if this kind of music just happens because I felt that musicians made a similar attempt in Sonu’s album Jaan which didn’t really manifest as expect. This kind of music is quite rare and isn’t created now.

Overall the first three songs have a high intensity and energy. The rest are the kind of melody that suits Sonu the best. Sonu’s velvet voice has been use in a very effective way. I hope they do it more frequently because such voices are rare. Also, all songs are punctuated with fine classical nuances which can best be rendered by a classical artist or Sonu. They are typical and difficult. The new age reality show participants may use this album to learn and train their vocal chords and experiment. It still remains a mystery to me how artists can be so perfect. Sonu has the perfect sense of melody. His transisions between notes can be very soft and suttle or totally vibrant. He has that one voice which India is proud of.