Abhijeet Sawant goes the Pak pop way

Abhijeet Sawant goes the Pak pop way

The first thing that strikes about Abhijeet Sawant's new album Junoon is his distinctly different voice. Clearly, the boy has grown beyond his Mohabbatein lutaunga days. In more ways than one the shift can be seen as a good move. Whether it's intentional or a natural progression remains debatable.

During his early days, Abhijeet was often accused of sounding like Sonu Nigam. The good news is that he doesn't sound like that anymore. The not-so-good news however is that he eerily reminds one of the innumerable Pakistani singers who have crowded the Indipop scene today.

The album seems like it has been designed keeping the market trends in mind. Not just the music, the video shot on the title track too has the distinct Pak Pop feel to it. Could one not expect an Indian Idol to endorse something more (dare one say) Indian?

But then again, one isn't entirely complaining. Junoon does have its high points. The hooks notwithstanding, the title track is quite catchy and hummable. Ditto for Track 5, Tere Bina, which scores well on melody too. Dhoondein shows potential to become a good club number. A good choice of song to be remixed; though one cannot say the same about the Junoon Remix. Then there's Tham ja, which one has heard in the popular soap Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, that works too.

However to say that Junoon is a great album, would be a little incorrect. Abhijeet has a long way to go. This is just his second album, and after a two-year hiatus at that. Clearly the guy has potential. Whether he hones it to perfection is a question that remains to be seen.