Muthupilakkattu by Sujith Krishna

Few songs from 2020 have held their ground as well as Muthupilakkattu, a track that keeps finding new audiences. Sravan S sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Muthupilakkattu, Sujith Krishna clearly belongs in the second group. Hearing Muthupilakkattu without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Muthupilakkattu.

2020 was a strong year for Malayalam music, and Muthupilakkattu was among the reasons why. Whether it plays on a long drive, during a quiet evening at home, or through earphones on a crowded commute, the song meets the listener where they are.

The 5:52 runtime feels perfectly judged — long enough to develop its ideas, short enough to compel a second play. This is music that holds up — not because it is perfect, but because it is honest, and honesty in a song is irreplaceable.