Poonambala Vaasane by Gauri P. Krishnan

Few songs from 2020 have held their ground as well as Poonambala Vaasane, a track that keeps finding new audiences. Punalur Shyamnadh has a history of strong work, and the music on Poonambala Vaasane is among the most memorable of it.

The vocal on Poonambala Vaasane is among the better performances Gauri P. Krishnan has committed to record. a talented ensemble cast are at the heart of Poonambala Vaasane, and Poonambala Vaasane captures their dynamic at its most compelling.

The 2020 release gave fans something to hold onto — a track built for repeated listening rather than a single play. 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 concision of Poonambala Vaasane — just 4:38 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Malayalam in recent memory — and the numbers agree.