Kanna by Papon

Kanna works because it does not try to do too much — it finds one feeling and holds it perfectly. Nilayan Chatterjee sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

Papon brings a warmth to Kanna that no production choice could manufacture — it has to be felt, and here it is. Hearing Kanna without thinking of Dev, Rukmini Maitra, Kharaj M, Anjana Basu, June M, Kamaleshwar M is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Kanna.

2022 was a strong year for Bengali music, and Kanna was among the reasons why. Kanna is the song for the end of a long day when you want music that understands something without being asked to explain it.

At 3:33, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. Years from now, Kanna will still be the track that plays at the right moment and lands exactly as it did the first time.