99 Songs (soundtrack)

According to the title "99 Songs", composer A. R. Rahman revealed that, the total number of the songs in the film, does not have 99 in number, but the film will present 14 original compositions for each language (Hindi, Tamil and Telugu) and features some background music.[3] Rahman has been working on the soundtrack since 2015, which features some international artists.[4][5]

Lyrics for the original Hindi version of the soundtrack have been given by Navneet Virk, Dilshaad Shabbir Shaikh, Abhay Jodhpurkar, Munna Shaukat and Raftaar. Rahman had worked with Navneet Virk for some soundtracks like OK Jaanu, Kaatru Veliyidai and Viceroy's House, with awarding the World Soundtrack Award – Public Choice, for his work in the latter.[6]

Shashwat Singh, who had played a role of a playback singer for the film's lead character Ehan Bhat, is an alumnus of Rahman's KM Music Conservatory, Chennai. During the film's production stage, Singh has recorded two songs with Rahman, Singh has heard on five tracks in the film. The audio rights of this film has been bought by Sony Music India. With this 99 Songs, marked the 23rd year of the label with Rahman.[7]

99 Songs is the first Indian soundtrack album to use Dolby Atmos technology, and Rahman became the first Indian artist to create music album of the film in this technology.[8]

O Aashiqa

Sung by Shashwat Singh, with lyrics written by Navneet Virk; Scroll.in stated that "the song written as apaean to a lover who is half-muse and half-divinity, the tune balances subdued passion with fearful reverence. The singing and the production start off mellow and rise slowly to a rapturous crescendo."

Sofia

The Ballad number "Sofia" is a lush melody which starts in a gentle manner backed by Keba Jeremiah's wonderful guitar strums. a gentle but expansively arranged romantic melody that touches a new high in the final minute when the choral harmonies kick in, arranged by Arjun Chandy and Leon D'Souza supplying the additional vocals, towards the end giving the terrific finish to this beautiful song.

Nayi Nayi

Nayi Nayi is the fast-paced rock number in the album but the track is more generic pop song material single-handedly prodded by Shashwat singh, Raftaar (crooning the Rap portions), with backing vocals by Ranjit Barot, Warren Mendonsa and Ardeshir Mistry. The arrangements are strictly confined to the hard rock genre with the brief lovely Tabla cameo in the middle of the track.

Humnawaa

Rahman shared recording of the song "Humnawaa" on Instagram, which was sung by Armaan Malik and Shashaa Tirupati.[9] This was the second collaboration between Rahman, Malik and Tirupati after recording for "Mechanical Sundariye", the Hindi version of the Original song "Endhira Logathu Sundhariye" from 2.0.[10][11] The song written by, Dilshad Shabbir Shaikh and Abhay Jodhpurkar, is based on classical music, rhythm and blues. This song was released on 20 March 2020, along with all the other songs in the film. The track definitely warrants multiple listen especially for the brilliance displayed by Rahman with the background piano score.

Jwalamukhi

During the post-production stage of the film, the male version of this song, was crooned by Arijit Singh, and was released first on 20 February 2020. The female version is sung by Poorvi Koutish, was released on 26 February 2020.[12] This song is mastered in Dolby Atmos and each musical chord will strike an emotional connection with the listener.

Soja Soja

Sung by Shashaa Tirupati, the song is a fun track, filled with jazzy arrangements with the terrific mix of piano, handled by American keyboardist Randy Kerber, and the brass ensemble. The arrangement is once again clever – a slow-burning prelude that belies what is to come, until the main song kicks in literally with a bang.

Sai Shirdi Sai

Rahman released a song ''Sai Shirdi Sai'' in three languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu),[13] from the movie as a single on 5 April 2019.[14] It is a devotional Sufi number, sung by Bela Shende. The soundtrack album, contained only the original Hindi version.

Teri Nazar

"Teri Nazar" was released as the fifth single of the album, on 13 March 2020, which is based on Indian Classical Music and Sufi Music, set on Charukesi Raga. Sung by Shashwat Singh, which reiterates feelings to recede from his/her love. Dilshaad Shabbir Shaikh who works for Rahman as music supervisor, wrote lyrics along with Navneet Virk.[15]

Gori Godh Bhari

It is sung by Anuradha Sriram, Alka Yagnik and Shweta Mohan, which is based on Bageshri raga and Indian classical music, supported by a rich orchestration highlighted by sarod (Sarang Kulkarni), sitar (Asad Khan), shehnai (Omkar Dhumal) and tabla.

O Mera Chand

A lullaby number sung by Bela Shende; the tune though relatively treads along the familiar territory, the serene feel provided by the tune is a blissful one. The chorus from "Sai Shirdi Sai" makes a reappearance here, in the interlude.

Veere Kadh De

A fast-paced rap number sung by Sarthak Kalyan, Swagat Rathod, whom were a part of the composer's YouTube contests, "ARRived" electronic sounds with a smattering of Punjabi folk elements. The rap portions were performed by Shiv (thoughtsfornow). The track is an interesting attempt by the composer despite the multiple elements of the track didn't blend well as expected.

The Voice Without Words

The song filled with instrumental and, some with the expansive orchestration, but the whispery words of Poorva Koutish are packed with the hypnotic arrangements.

The Oracle

In pre-production period, When the first screenplay draft of 99 Songs was ready for review, A. R. Rahman and director Vishesh Krishnamoorthy, researched to find its sound. At the YM Movies Office in Chennai, Rahman played a melody that was echoing between them. After it revealed that the delicate melody was now a thunderous entity, it became the theme for the film, which was titled "The Oracle". The first bit of music to make it out into the world.[16] This song was released as the film's first single on 14 February 2020, which coincides with the Valentine's Day. The song starts with the gentle piano keys, and a bit tentatively, the piece picks up pace and gravity as it goes, with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and flautist Kareem Kamalakar joining the composer.

On 27 April 2019, the lead actor of the film Ehan Bhat joined A. R. Rahman on Star Plus reality show The Voice, and performed the film's theme music, which was titled "The Oracle".[17]

Rahman performed live to the music of 99 Songs at the Busan International Film Festival, held in Busan, South Korea, where the film's premiere took place on 9 October 2019. The performance made the audience spellbound. The film's team also walked the red carpet and also took a selfie with over 3,500 audience members.[18]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Music Aloud	[20]
Koimoi
Movie Crow
A Humming Heart

Koimoi rated the soundtrack album 4.5 out of 5, stating "A. R. Rahman Gives Us A Musical Treat We Deserve In The Times When Originality Almost Lost Its Touch".[21] Scroll.in reviewed it as "A 14-song album is allowed to take a qualitative dip every now and then. There is enough in 99 Songs to live with and revisit."[22] The Hindu started that the film music have zero fuss and fanfare. The other speciality of this 14-track album is that it puts the spotlight on two supremely-gifted vocal talents in Shashwat Singh and Bela Shende.[23] Music Aloud gave the album 4.5 out of 5 and summarized "An album that has been a very long time coming, and ends up being totally worth the wait. A.R.Rahman produces a thoroughly diverse soundtrack that is the best he has given Bollywood in a long time. And most importantly, it releases in its entirety, well before the movie’s release.[24] Movie Crow, gave the soundtrack 4 out of 5 and started "The whopping 14 song soundtrack is a nostalgic blend of good old Rahman melodies as well as composer leaves his own touch backed by an exceptional set of singers."[25] A review by A Humming Heart concluded, "With that bit of purely nostalgic exercise out of the way, the soundtrack is a fairly impressive collection of genres, moods, and voices. AR Rahman, thanks to he also doubling as a producer, includes compositions ranging an impressively wide spectrum — some, if not all, are likely to find takers in ardent fans and music-lovers alike. The boy-band rock song ‘Nayi Nayi’, the devotional ‘Sai Shirdi Sai’, the classical ‘Gori Godh Bhari’, the dazzling jazz ‘Soja Soja’ and more. The album overall succeeds in registering coherent, nostalgic yet refreshing sounds, and is one of AR Rahman's most definitive works since 2015", and gave 9/10 to the album.[26]

In a tweet Keba Jeremiah confirmed that he has played guitar for background score.[28] Randy Kerber who has played for LaLa Land and a ton of Hollywood films did a session for the score of 99songs .[29]