Looking back at the music of 2015, and there were equal doses of the established and the newbies displaying their talent on the shelf. This was one year where innovative music hit towering levels, with composers trying their best to experiment within the brackets of commercial music, attempting to make music that would stay on playlists for long. We at Only Kollywood have come up with a list of ten albums which rung the bell amidst music lovers and ruled the charts over the last 12 months.
[nextpage]10. Romeo Juliet – D. Imman
Though Imman has not had a great year despite a flurry of album releases, Romeo Juliet stood apart for its significant variety of tunes. It was the ideal crowd-pleasing sound track of the year and won the hearts of both music buffs and critics.
9. Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam – Amrit
Hordes of debutants plunged into Tamil music scene this year and Amrit’s one of them. But what made Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam enter our top ten albums list is Amrit’s competent eye for versatility. His tunes were effectively impressive and ear-friendly.
8. YennaiArindhaal – Harris Jayaraj
Despite initial few listens evoked only limited respect for the eventful Harris-Gautham Menon combo, YennaiArindhaal OST stayed on with the music listeners. The enriching lyrics of Thaamarai and the simplistic tunes of Harris worked wonders after repeated listens. ‘Unakenna Venum Sollu’ is easily the most lyrically productive song of the year with a substantial placement in the film and picture-perfect lens work.
7. Yatchan – Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja’s Yatchan goes on to become one of the most enthusiastic soundtracks of the year. Parapara, Konjalaai, Kaakaponnu and Champion were excellent companions for a long drive on the road, a late night party or the muscle-flexing sessions at the gym. Not to forget, the simplistic Innum Enna Azhage which stole our hearts.
6. Oru Naal Koothu – Justin Prabhakaran
In the midst of a speaker-friendly year, Justin Prabhakaran swooped in to deliver some heart-melting melodies in Oru Naal Koothu. Songs like Adiye Azhage, Yaeli Yaeli and Eppo Varuvaaro are extremely soothing to the ears, apart from being superbly orchestrated. With the film releasing next year, this one could go big.
5. ThaniOruvan – Hip Hop Tamizha
This was Hip Hop Tamizha’s ticket to stardom. After two impressive albums at the start of their career, they brought their biggest tricks to the table to deliver a peach of a soundtrack in Thani Oruvan. The songs gained more momentum after the film’s release and played a vital role in the blockbuster success. Theemai Dhan Vellum, is unforgettable.
4. Thaarai Thappatai – Ilaiyaraaja
Two gorgeously arranged theme tracks. And, a mellifluous assortment of sounds without any ‘labored tunes’ and ‘spurious vocals’. When EDM-style production of songs plagues the consumption of Tamil music lovers, Thaarai Thappattai, which marks the illustrious 1000th album of Ilaiyaraja, released towards the fag end of the year and revitalized the spirit of Tamil music scene with its divine sounds.
3. Uttama Villain – Ghibran
The OST of Uttama Villain composed by Ghibran has to be the most inventive album of the year in Tamil. It brimmed with mind-blowing orchestration and remarkable arrangement of sounds and left everyone in awe. Easily, Ghibran’s best work till date and he sure made heads turn.
2. Naanum Rowdy Dhaan – Anirudh Ravichander
Anirudh may have struck more quantity than quality in 2015, but he did find his place in the charts with the absolutely beautiful soundtrack of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. Each and every song was vibrant in its own way, with his lovely choice of singers adding to the merry. Enormously addictive album that proved Anirudh’s prowess in creating a lasting work.
1. OK Kanmani – AR Rahman
This album, without doubt, is such a powerful addition to Rahman’s impeccable repertoire with his long-standing collaborator Mani Ratnam. The soundtrack was easily ARR’s most accessible in recent times. “With a lovely mélange of tunes, AR Rahman concocts a sumptuous music feast. His consistency to innovate with soundscapes in commercial albums is commendable,” we wrote in our review.
