Achha Lagta Hai - Aarakshan by Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy, Mohit Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Neuman Pinto

Released as part of Aarakshan, Achha Lagta Hai - Aarakshan announced itself as a standout the moment it reached listeners. Behind the melody is the work of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, whose composition choices give Achha Lagta Hai - Aarakshan its distinctive texture.

The performance by Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy, Mohit Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Neuman Pinto is the centrepiece here — controlled where it needs to be, open where it counts. Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Deepika Padukone, Prateik Babbar are at the heart of Aarakshan, and Achha Lagta Hai - Aarakshan captures their dynamic at its most compelling.

2011 was a strong year for Hindi music, and Achha Lagta Hai - Aarakshan was among the reasons why. Whether it plays on a long drive, during a quiet evening at home, or through earphones on a crowded commute, the song meets the listener where they are.

Running to 3:56, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Achha Lagta Hai - Aarakshan is a reminder that the best music does not need to announce itself. It only needs to be heard.