Neeyarinjo by Madhu Balakrishnan

Madhu Balakrishnan has delivered memorable performances before, but Neeyarinjo sits comfortably among the very best. Pyaari P's arrangement gives the track a layered quality that rewards repeated listening.

The voice of Madhu Balakrishnan carries Neeyarinjo 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 Neeyarinjo, making it as much a performance as a song.

By the end of 2020, Neeyarinjo had moved well beyond its original audience and into everyday playlists. Some music is background. Neeyarinjo demands attention — not aggressively, but in the way a good conversation does.

At 4:27, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Malayalam in recent memory — and the numbers agree.