Mura Thetti by Shiju Ediyatheril

Mura Thetti arrived from the Mura Thetti album and quickly became one of the most replayed tracks of 2020. Shiju Ediyatheril's arrangement gives the track a layered quality that rewards repeated listening.

Shiju Ediyatheril's vocal here has a quality that is difficult to describe but impossible to miss — it simply feels true. On screen, a talented ensemble cast bring the emotional world of the song to life in a way that enhances rather than competes with the music.

In 2020, Malayalam produced many songs, but Mura Thetti was one of the handful that genuinely cut through. There is no right time to listen to Mura Thetti. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

Running to 6:00, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. For anyone yet to hear Mura Thetti, the experience ahead is a good one. For those returning, it will be as good as they remember.