Manchu Manoj's 'Potugadu' Music Review

Manchu Manoj’s latest album Potugadu is out, and in the very first hearing you realize it reeks of funkiness. It definitely isn’t a bad album, but doesn’t get musically creative to impress listeners. Most of the tracks are digitally rendered while some are written cheap lyrics targeted at the masses.

The opening number ‘Pyaar Me Padipoya’ is undoubtedly one of the creative songs of the album. It wonderfully merges traditional Telugu lyrics with Hyderabadi slang to surprise with its slow and catchy tune. The song has been composed in such a way that it teleports the listener to a black-and-white era where music was all about singing to harmonium and clarinet. Interestingly, Manoj has crooned this song and seem to have done complete justice to it.

Next song in the album is ‘Potugadu’; a mass-appealing number that has the beats that instantly makes it catchy. In Telugu, it can be aptly called a ‘naatu’ song with hero-worshipping lyrics. Going by the lyrics of the song, it appears to be an introductory number. It has a fast-pace folk tune that hits the right chord throughout.

‘Bujji Pilla’ is certainly the best number of the album. And it doesn’t matter if I personally like it or not, but it’s bound to be a chartbuster, thanks to its catchy tune and cheap lyrics. The song opens to a lovely saxophone prelude intelligently mixed with digital beats. The making video already created enough buzz and Simbu’s voice is the perfect icing on the cake. My only problem with this song is its offending lyrics that sound like as though lines guys sing to girls they want to hang out with but not genuinely love.

Next song ‘Devatha’ by Hemachandra opens with a lovely guitar prelude. It’s a breezy track with lovely lyrics. Karthik elevates this song with his high powered vocals coupled with a lovely melody. Again going by the lyrics, it appears to be a song for the heroine.

‘Bindaas’ by Tippu is another mass number with a catchy tune. The intermittent use of the word ‘Govinda’ in the song works very well in its favour, while the use of drum beats adds a local flavour to the song.

‘Potugadu Theme’ is a perfect rendition multiple music genres such as pop, rock and even folk music. I’m sure this track will serve as a theme track throughout the film.

The rest of the instrument versions of songs are merely number that have been presented with a musical makeover. They might serve as a good background score to propel the narrative in the film, but I doubt if it will be used in the film as most of these instrument versions are only created for the publicity of the album.

What I think?
With lot of proximity given to mass-appealing numbers, ‘Potugadu’ is a decent album with its share of highs and lows. I wish it used more live music than digitally recorded beats. Nevertheless, one can’t blame the compose because this what the audiences want eventually.