Favorite soundtrack of the year 2016

Here we are again! After having an explosive 2015 with Tharai Thappattai, Rudhramadevi, AbbayithO Ammayi & Shamitabh, this year it was quite silent despite Maestro getting 11 films to work. The main reason being most of the films had fewer songs and more to with background score. And most of them didn't perform well at the box-office too. I believe this is the first time that he had composed only 20 songs for 11 films (only 2 songs per film as an average). Yet we got some enhanting music from Maestro.

The year started with a bang with the music of Oyee. Thendral varum vazhiyil, entha ooru pOnaalum were outstanding. Then came Game (oru melliy kOdu), a revenge thriller which had only three lovely songs (hoovinda hoovige kavana, ondu manjina bindu, sogasu sogasu), and the score was breath-taking. I had mixed feelings with Ki & Ka was as Balki for no reason collaborated with Meet Bros and Mithoon when Maestro had already delivered a solitary beauty in Foolishq and scored for the romantic drama.

When all the above soundtracks did capture me (us), but it took Love & Love only to prove what it takes to compose a real romantic film score. Generous 21 tracks including a song. This became like a life support for me whenever I need to energize myself. I can't stop listening to it. It was sad that this film was released only on Web and not in theaters. Still this soundtrack should tell how romantic Maestro is even at this age I remember him saying to Gautham Menon, நான் ஃபுல்லாவே ரொமான்ஸ் தான். A gentle fusion of Western contemporary genres with Romantic/Classical genres. So fresh, trendy and full of life.

Appa, as a film was a nice watch with Maestro providing the much needed protein to the film narrative. I can't imagine this film without Maestro. Not to mention the title score. There were also two short songs (which was not released). Amma KaNakku was another nice film with some good songs, but Maestro's score proved the difference with its Hindi counterpart.

KutramE Thandanai had another terrific score which got some mixed reviews from public, the main reason being they cannot put their thoughts correctly on first what kind of  film that was.

To be honest, I was expecting Mana oori Ramayanam/Odelle Ramayanam soundtrack, but it came as a little disappointment as it got only one song which is unusual for a  Prakash Raj's film, nevertheless, that one song is a whole soundtrack to me. Yet to watch the film.

The biggest surprise was Daffedar. It came from nowhere, but it had two beautiful songs, especially oorial eerila.

The year finished (hoping there is not any other film soundtrack release scheduled for this year) with Enga Amma Rani with two songs. They were fine, but not overwhelming to me.

Apart from these, there were also talks about MErkku Thodarchchi Malai, Lenin Bharathi's Muthuramalingam (one song teaser released), Priyadarshan's Sila SamayangaLil (starring Prakash Raj) and a short film named Oodaaga. I have not yet heard the score. If someone already listened, please let us know, I can add this film to the poll.

Wow! whopping 11 films, but how many knew Maestro has scored these many films this year? It will easily take years to savor and relish each of the above soundtrack.

I would love to have your views on the soundtracks of 2016 as we wind up the year in a week's time. Please don't forget to vote your favorite soundtrack of 2016.

My choice is obvious. It is for Love & Love only!!!!

Happy New Year to all of you!!

Kidapusari Magudi is not in the list.  If it was, I would have voted for that.  However, I voted for Oru Melliya Kodu since KPM was not on the list

kida poosari magudi was featured in last year's list
https://ilayaraja.forumms.net/t246-favorite-soundtrack-of-the-year-2015

Tough choice between 'Love & Love Only' and 'Kutrame Dhandanai'. In the latter Raja gave some super motifs and the title score is terrific and captures the spirit of the whole movie in just 2 mins. 'Love & Love Only' is musically richer with some amazing counter melody passages. It shows the grasp of Raja on the WCM idiom, if ever you needed proof   Added to this is the fact that it is a sound track that lasts more than an hour. So I ended up voting for it.

Kutrame Dhandanai Vs Oru Melliya Koadu.
Both are neo noir thrillers, with the former one being such a beautifully written script.
I voted for OMK because it had songs which were so good in all the languages.

Voted for Love and Love only. Have seen the movie as well and the score enhances the movie a great deal. I have been going back to listening the score every now and then ever since the OST got released, it has been so addictive for me. A wonderful soundtrack with lots of magical passages of music in some of the long running tracks. Overall, as a score, it reflects the various shades and moods of love so perfectly.