Anjilu Monch by Afsal Koothuparamba

Anjilu Monch arrived from the Anjilu Monch album and quickly became one of the most replayed tracks of 2020. Behind the melody is the work of , whose composition choices give Anjilu Monch its distinctive texture.

Afsal Koothuparamba brings a warmth to Anjilu Monch that no production choice could manufacture — it has to be felt, and here it is. The chemistry of a talented ensemble cast is embedded in every moment of Anjilu Monch, making it as much a performance as a song.

2020 was a strong year for Malayalam music, and Anjilu Monch was among the reasons why. Listeners have described the experience of Anjilu Monch differently — romantic, melancholic, uplifting — which suggests the song is large enough to hold many truths.

The concision of Anjilu Monch — just 4:01 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. The staying power of Anjilu Monch is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.