Bollywood witnessed a complete change in the music scene with the entry of Himesh Reshammiya as the singer. Post Aashiq Banaya Aapne, music lovers rushed for his releases like Aksar, Tom Dick and Harry and his album Aap Kaa Suroor. These days, there is criticism about his nasal rendition. A composer’s work should do the talking. Instead of concentrating on his renditions, it’s better to check out his melody and also the innovations he is bringing. With more assignments, the quality of his music will slightly suffer but let’s see. A few songs of the movie have been exclusively shot in the beautiful locales of Mauritius.

On the other hand, Abbas-Mustan replaced their regular Anu Malik, who gave them solid hits in Baazigar, Daraar, Soldier, Baadshah, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Ajnabee. Himesh Reshammiya was then roped in for Humraaz. The duo again opted for him in Aitraaz and Taarzan - The Wonder Car. Loyalty in Bollywood: does that still exist? If loyalty is still a respected word, then the music director has to give his best to the directors who do trust him. Is that really the case for this album?

Himesh Reshammiya is in charge of the singing again with the addictive Aashiqui Meri. The Chinese musical touch is excellent to create a thrilling mood for the prelude. With apt use of the synthesizers, atmospheric sounds and Gregorian chants, the prelude and the ending are mesmerizing. Innovative interludes and one à la James Bond as the second are pleasing. The background music is well orchestrated with a mixture of beats and right electronic samples. Himesh uses his voice as an integral instrument. His expressive vocals are powerful. Sunidhi Chauhan assists with ease. On first hearing, the tune sounds like a Kraftwerk composition, simply because of its robotic singing nature.

Akbar Sami impresses with the remix version! He meshes electronic pings and beats with scratches. The result is a super addictive dance track, which will be an instant success in clubs. The new age background chords mixed with the Chinese sample music are electrifying. Sami adds the required techno beats and surpasses his remixing abilities. Kudos!

The necessary components are selectively brought to create a well-composed song, which belong to the soft rock genre. Badi Dilchaspi Hai has the above average singing by Kay Kay and the trendy English words Just beat it by Arya. The guitar is used in different ways to give the song this new generation sound. The use of acoustic is present throughout. The background music is filled with big beats and strings. Akbar Sami amazes once again with the remix version. He infuses high techno beats with catchy electronic sounds. Another rocking remix!

Dil Tumhare Bina appears like an old Nadeem-Shravan song. The tune is practically one from his song bank. However, the techno influence does not blend with the tune. It is best to keep a typical filmi tune only with the heavy-duty orchestra and free from western arrangements. ”Rock your body” is repeated many times by the male chorus and becomes irritating. Himesh Reshammiya and Alka Yagnik also fail to register an impact. Himesh tries his best with an excellent rendition of the words ´Dil Tumhare Bina´. With Sameer as the lyricist, words like ‘dil, sanam and deewana’ are bound to be present in every two lines. ´Dil Tumhare Bina´ shows how a good tune went wrong with the wrong singers, wrong music and wrong genre. Still, it will be appreciated by the masses and hardcore Himesh fans. The remix version is by Akbar Sami, who does an average job. Sunidhi Chauhan sings the remix version.

The prelude of 24X7 I Think of You has the regular guitars and funky sounds. Following the notes and energy of Zameen’s ‘Tere Sang Ek Simple Si Coffee’, Himesh Reshammiya composes a very situational track. The English words are not catchy but he manages to put ’24X7 I Think of You´ in the track. Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan render effortlessly. Light with nice arrangements, this one is an average track. The remix version by Akbar Sami helps to present the track in a different package, which has nothing to rave about.

Kunal Ganjawala’s Jab Kabhi is another show off of his vocal talents. High pitch singing is of course on the menu and listeners do get a good dose of it. Is Kunal not bored being repeated in the same style again and again? Repetitions are fine. Successive numbers should be better. Although the tune is good, it sounds like a forced one. The ‘Jab Kabhi’ part is heavy and the singer can’t properly take off the song to the next level. Alka Yagnik comes to the rescue in the last part and provides the required vocals and that’s it. Orchestration and arrangements are much pre-Aashiq Banaya Aapne days. Sameer uses his favorite ‘sanam’ word, which is repeated three times. Not bad! The remix versions by Akbar Sami and Suketu are just alright.

The 36 China Town album presents variety to listeners. Aashiqui Meri will be a craze, especially its remix version. The other songs that have staying power in the charts will be ‘Badi Dilchaspi Hai because of Kay Kay and Dil Tumhare Bina because of its familiar tune. Akbar Sami transforms most of the original tracks into hits but some of the originals shouldn’t be tampered. Sameer shows improvement in some tracks but his English words are becoming funny these days.

Abbas-Mustan’s thriller movies always have hit music. During the last six years, music directors delivered good music with thriller themes. Himesh Reshammiya is hot and happening at the moment. In such situations of craze, everything produced by him sounds good and becomes ultimately hits. When carefully analyzed, what Malik has composed for the Abbas-Mustan duo is far much of better quality than the current songs composed by Reshammiya.

In the future, Himesh will have to meet the standard of songs like Chhupana Bhi Nahin Aata (Baazigar), Tera Chand Chehra (Daraar), Mehfil Mein Baar Baar (Soldier), Hum To Deewane Hue Yaar (Baadshah), and Dekhne Walon Ne (Chori Chori Chupke Chukpe). Bardaasht (Humraaz), Tala Tum Tala Tum (Aitraaz) and Nazar Aa Raha Hai (Aitraaz) are the only saving grace compared to the Anu Malik blockbusters. Following this logic, Himesh Reshammiya still has a long way to go. His Aashiqui Meri is promising but matching melodious songs of Anu Malik will not happen with Sufi style hits!