Songs of 2014

Like last year, here are the best songs I listened to this year - 2014. Sadly, I didn't get to listen to much Hindi, Tamil or Malayalam music, so the list mostly contains Telugu songs :)

Do check out Milliblog's excellent Annual Music Roundup 2014 by Karthik for a much more comprehensive list spanning all languages.

Telugu

Thirugubaatidhi, Prateekshanam - Basanti (Mani Sharma)

Mani Sharma hardly makes music these days and when he does, it's for trashy masala films. When he gets good scripts, he makes refreshing albums, like this one. I liked Thirugubatidhi for its booming bass line and an easy tune, and I loved Prateekshanam. A beautiful and intricate tune, great singing by Dinker and Chaitra but above all, outstanding lyrics by Srimani.

Kanulanu Thaake, Idi Prema - Manam (Anoop Rubens)

Anoop's music in Manam was a revelation. This is by far his best album and his music greatly helped the film. Kanulanu Thaake has a flowing tune, great singing by Arijit Singh and catchy chorus. It's easy to like this one, but I fell in love with the other song, Idi Prema by Master Bharath, after watching the film. The lyrics by Chandrabose beautifully sum up the story and Anoop sets them to a haunting tune.

Sweety, Cinema Choopista, Gala Gala, Down Down, Boochaade - Race Gurram (Thaman)

This is Thaman's best work in recent times and I liked all the songs. Check out the hip Sweety and the foot-tapping Cinema Choopista.

Edo, Aa Seetadevi, Enta Varu - Rowdy Fellow (Sunny MR and Anil R)

Trendy music by Sunny, continuing where he left off from Swami Ra Ra. Aa Seetadevi has a great chorus accentuated by Sunny's familiar Jazz-Rock sound, and Arijit nails the song (what a great year or two he's been having!). Yedo by the late Anil R (check out his LBW) is my pick of the album. Beautifuly melody - it haunts.

Teeyaga Teeyaga, Telisi Teliyandila - Ulavacharu Biryani (Ilayaraja)

Vintage Ilayaraja. Sweet tunes and that trademark orchestration.

Chakkiliginthe, Mayo Mayo - Chakkiligintha (Mickey J Meyer)

Mayo Mayo is your typical catchy club song and Chakkiliginthe is a nice melody with some good singing by Haricharan.

Bujjima, Shanti Om - Run Raja Run (Ghibran)

Bujjima is extremely foot-tapping thanks to Gold Devaraj's singing and Ghibran's arrangements. Shanti Om Shanti is a neat dubstep/club song. Also check out Vaddantune from the album.

Gulabi Kallu, Prati Chota - Govindudu Andari Vaadele (Yuvan Shankar Raja)

Yuvan usually does terrific work when he does Telugu albums (sample Happy, Oy) so this one was not upto his standards. However, a few songs stand out. Gulabi is a kickass dubstep melody (take that!) and Prati Chota is an ode to 90s' Chiru intro songs.

Shwaase Nuvve - Maine Pyaar Kiya (V Pradeep Kumar)

For his second film after Billa Ranga (which had terrific music - check out last year's review), director Pradeep Madugula hires V Pradeep Kumar (who sang a song or two in Billa Ranga), and he does great work here. Check out Shwaase Nuvve, a stunningly good melody.

Em Sandeham Ledu - Oohalu Gusagusalade (Kalyani Koduri)

Kalyani Malik dropped his middle name last year and it seems to be working well for him :) After good music in last year's AMAT (check out Gammattuga Unnadi), he comes up with another melodious album this year. My pick of the album is Em Sandeham Ledu - a supremely crafted melody. And to top it off, he does a great job singing it, ably helped by Sunitha.

Other songs that I liked:

Chakri:

You're My Love from Tanu Monne Vellipoyindi

Navvamma Thalli from Erra Bus

Rahman Geethamla from Dhee ante Dhee

Thaman:

Raakasi Raakasi from Rabhasa

Naari Naari and Bhel Puri from Aagadu

Badmash Pilla and Notanki from Power

Devi Sri Prasad:

Aw Tujho, Sayonara, You're My Love from 1 - Nenokkadine

Tanjavuru from Legend

Neeli Neeli and Whats Up Antu from Alludu Seenu

Mickey J Meyer: Daredum and Chala Bagundi from Mukunda

Keeravani: Kshanam Kshanam from Anamika

Anoop Rubens: Aayudham and Sura Sura from Auto Nagar Surya (though Sura is a total ripoff)

JB: Osi Prema Rakshasi from Kotta Janta

Rahul Raj: Merise Merise from Paathashaala

Achu: Ra Ra Krishnayya from Ra Ra Krishnayya

Tamil

• Ennodu Nee Irundhaal, Meriselayitten, Aila Aila - I (A. R. Rahman)
• Kannikkul Pothivaippen - Thirumanam Enum Nikkah (Ghibran)
• Mona Gasolina, Oh Nanba - Lingaa (A. R. Rahman)
• Kannamma - Jigarthanda (Santhosh Narayanan)
• Move Your Body - Vai Raja Vai (Yuvan Shankar Raja)
• Enai Marubadi - Nanbenda (Harris Jayaraj)
• Koottali Koottali - Aaha Kalyanam (Dharan)

Hindi

Ala Hada, Beqasoor, Khalifa - Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (A. R. Rahman)

This one from ARR is severely underrated, and went unnoticed with the failure of the film. Check out the punchy Khalifa and the dulcet Ala Hada and Beqasoor.

Maahi Ve, Pathaka Guddi - Highway (A. R. Rahman)

O Gujariya - Queen (Amit Trivedi)

Kabhi Ruhani - Raja Natwarlal (Yuvan Shankar Raja)

Bang Bang - Bang Bang (Vishal Shekhar)

Manali Trance - The Shaukeens (Yo Yo Honey Singh)

Baby Doll - Ragini MMS 2 (Yo Yo Honey Singh)

Malayalam

Ee Mizhikalin, Payye Payye, Chayunnuvo, Aaromale - Ormayundo Ee Mukham (Shaan Rahman)

Please chip in with the songs you liked that I missed, and the ones that I put in that you thought weren't so great. Looking forward to a great 2015!