'No Smoking' songs, unconventional but catchy (Music Review)

Film: 'No Smoking'; Music Director: Vishal Bharadwaj; Lyricist: Gulzar; Singers: Sukhwinder Singh, Daler Mehendi, Vishal Bharadwaj, Rekha Bharadwaj, Deva Sen Gupta, Sunidhi Chauhan, Adnan Sami; Rating: ***1/2

In 'No Smoking', filmmaker-composer Vishal Bharadwaj uses his unique style to make each song stand out. Even if the songs do not do well, they will certainly get noticed.

The album starts of with 'Ash tray' in which singer Deva Sen Gupta's voice stands out. Gulzar's lyrics are quite meaningful and Bharadwaj has kept the music subtle, giving more importance to the singer's rendition. A slow track with a different feel to it, 'Ash tray' has the chance to do well.

In 'Jab Bhi Cigarette', Sunidhi Chauhan attempts a completely different genre and sounds very unlike herself. However, the track is unlikely to find favour for long.

With Sufi as its base, 'Kash Laga' comes in next, which, again, has been composed keeping the theme of the movie in mind. All the three singers, Sukhwinder Singh, Daler Mehendi and Vishal Bharadwaj, have sung very well and could pass off as original Sufi singers. In spite of all its plus points, 'Kash Laga' may not do too well.

A situational track, 'Phoonk de' is sung well by Sukhwinder Singh. He manages to grab attention.

Rekha Bharadwaj attempts the second version of 'Phoonk De', which is sure to get noticed due to the distinctive fusion of Rekha's deep voice with the dhol beats. It is an interesting number.

'No Smoking' songs are unconventional, yet catchy. Bharadwaj does justice to the subject and has set a completely different standard for composers in the future.