Kathiravan by Job Kurian

Not every song from Kathiravan lingers, but Kathiravan is the one that stays. The production by Dhanush Harikumar is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The voice of Job Kurian carries Kathiravan effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. a talented ensemble cast are at the heart of Kathiravan, and Kathiravan captures their dynamic at its most compelling.

2020 was a strong year for Malayalam music, and Kathiravan was among the reasons why. The song rewards full attention but also works as company in the background — a flexibility that most tracks never achieve.

The concision of Kathiravan — just 3:18 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. It is, at the end of it, a very good song — and sometimes that is the only explanation that matters.