Aavan Jaavan (War 2)— Song Review

[embed]

From the quartet of Arijit Singh, Nikhita Gandhi, Amitabh Bhattacharya and Pritam (Leke Prabhu Ka Naam, Ullu Ka Pattha and Tere Pyaar Mein) comes Aavaan Jaavan. The first song from War 2, the sixth(?) film from the YRF Spy Universe. Over time, my hopes for the musical quality of these films have deteroriated, I was originally confused as to why Aditya Chopra decided each film will only have two original songs, but the actual songs in this franchise are hit-or-miss that I can see why. Nevertheless, I kept my expectations neutral when Ayan and then Pritam/Amitabh boarded this project. Although, I was very disappointed with the last Pritam/Amitabh song in this universe (Leke Prabhu Ka Naam), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is one of my favourite Bollywood albums ever, plus Wake Up Sid (SEL/Amit Trivedi) and Brahmastra have good music too. So I was hoping for an at least decent song that doesn’t play it too safe. The results? Meh, it’s alright.

By far, the best part of the song is the guitar bridge after the first chorus — it’s breezy, relaxing, and very harmonious. The promo version of it (video attached) has it going on for 4 loops, and the audio version 2, so honestly, because of this, the promo version sounds better.

Outside of the guitar bridge, the song is a fairly by-the-numbers commercial hit-chasing number. Synthwave/lofi production, Punjabi hookline, Arijit, naked heroine, cool dancing demonstrated well that is easy enough to become a TikTok dance etc. Aside from the great mixing and mastering you can always expect from a Pritam song, there is more variance in the melody and effort in the lyrics than most chat-chasers these days so brownie points for that. Arijit is in fine form as usual, and Nikhita is her croaky self.

Pritam-Amitabh Bhattacharya can still give us proper bangers if they wanted to. Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is my favourite Bollywood album of the decade thus far and Tere Pyaar Mein is a song I still regularly listen to after 2 years. That was also a synthwave production, but despite the different genre, peppy melody/lyrics without trying too hard, multiple different lead and supporting synths as well as a beautiful bridge (differenciating it from standard Bollywood structure) makes it one of the best Bollywood dance tracks post-Covid. Just listen to the difference in quality between Aavan Jaavan and this:

[embed]

This may not even be Pritam’s work, but instead of programmer/arranger AM.AN. Either way Pritam can approve, or least inspire his employees to create, more engaging and fresher work, instead of creating a chartbuster by the numbers. Perhaps it was Aditya Chopra or the other producers who had a brief in mind. I just assumed Ayan being the director would make sure the song was solidly good. I guess I’ll have to wait longer for another good song from the Ayan-Pritam combo; unless the Hrithik-NTR dance number surprises! Ultimately, the Ye Jawaani Hai Deewani album still clears. Ayan-Pritam has dropped the ball a bit, I’m afraid. You’d best relisten to the YJHD soundtrack, which stills sounds great 12 years later.

[embed]

Verdict: Hummable but forgettably safe and by-the-numbers — 3/5

Follow for more Bollywood content/reviews!