En Priyasakhikayi by Saleem Kodathoor

En Priyasakhikayi works because it does not try to do too much — it finds one feeling and holds it perfectly. The production by Shabeer S is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The voice of Saleem Kodathoor carries En Priyasakhikayi effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. The chemistry of a talented ensemble cast is embedded in every moment of En Priyasakhikayi, making it as much a performance as a song.

The song dates from 2020, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. There is a quality to En Priyasakhikayi that makes it feel like company — the kind of song you put on when words feel insufficient.

Running to 4:38, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Malayalam in recent memory — and the numbers agree.