What is it about chugging, clap beats that call out to the bar dancer in a grown man, pelvic grinding moves and all?

Composer: Vishal-Shekhar
Lyricist: Anvita Dutt, Vishal Dadlani, Shirish Kunder
Price: Rs 175
Rating **

What is it about chugging, clap beats that call out to the bar dancer in a grown man, pelvic grinding moves and all? So a song about Katrina Kaif aka Sheila's 'Jawani' coupled with the reality that the lyrics bring with them: "I know you want it, but you're never gonna get it" can drive men (of all ages) insane.

Sheila Ki Jawani lacks the crackle and soul of say a Saaki or Sholon Si or Dard-E-Disco but it can blow up a dance floor all right. Of course, the rap-fuelled mix is instant combustion.
u00a0
There have been comparisons to Dabangg's Munni Badnaam Hui -- the biggest difference is perhaps that Sheila Ki Jawani works up a sexual tension minus the smutty lyrics. Of course, Sunidhi Chauhan has never sounded better -- there are no awkward cringe-inducing moments when she shifts to English. It's not a wannabe transition.

The title track that cleverly works the Mission Impossible hook is cut Farah Khan style -- it's spunky and fun -- but isn't a track that you'll come back to. Sonu Nigam pulls off a range of vocals (yes, including the annoying female parts) and sounds like he's having a ball. All that heavy percussion towards the end of the track recall Dhoom's title track or maybe it's some street inspiration there, right off a visarjan procession.

The rest of the album is passable -- there's nothing wrong with Wallah Re Wallah -- it packs in the flavour of a pop Qawwali number but it's not striking by any stretch. Badey Dil Waala with Sukhwinder and Shreya Ghoshal has a similar flaw -- we've heard Sukhwinder in the same-sounding big beat-supported track in Kisna and Omkara.

But all credit to the composers for bringing back the gifted Shreya Ghoshal out of the stupor that she had slipped into. She shows some sass here both, in Badey Dil Wala and Wallah Re Wallah.

Happy Ending may have been a sweet gesture that made their promise to Indian Idol vocalists good, but is an easily forgettable track. Had it not been for Sheila Ki Jawani, the album may have just been written off.