They’re back! Jatin-Lalit have come out with an album as good as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in the form of Haasil. This album is the best they’ve come up with since 1999. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham was not all J-L’s, and everything else has been just average or below. Not only that, but Abhijeet is back in form with the first song of the album.

“Aankhen Bhi Hoti Hai Dil Ki Zubaan” has outstanding lyrics, outstanding music and outstanding singing. I’d even go as far as to say this is the best song of 2003 so far and definitely the best Jatin-Lalit song since 1999. The music involves an intricate compilation of Indian instruments, Western instruments, orchestra, and synthesized sounds. Jatin-Lalit’s talent really shows off in this song, with constant waxing and waning of different interludes and music transitions. Abhijeet’s singing is absolutely brilliant. His sweet voice blends in precisely with the music. There is an interesting use of guitar before the second stanza of Abhijeet’s singing. Also, the use of flute in the background with an echo is absolutely brilliant. I almost forgot the lyrics, which are also perfect for the song. Israr Ansari has done a wonderful job here. I can’t stop listening to this song-if for nothing else, go get this album for this song.

The second song “Ankhon Main Tumhari” is by Shaan, Shweta and Shraddha Pandit (Jatin and Lalit’s niece). Aside from the creative usage of guitar and the usual Jatin-Lalit flute, this song is still just a little bit above average. Shaan, as usual, sings the song well. The female singers don’t have too much to do with the song.

Israr Ansari does a great job with the lyrics of “Zindagi Ko Nayi Zindagi,” and singing by Udit Narayan brings the song some more life. The song is fast paced and has some really beautiful points to it. Sonali Bajpai sings the female part of the song well, also. The music involves Western and Eastern elements all mashed together into a beautiful delicacy. The use of percussion this time is especially brilliant.

Kauser Pandey does the lyrics for Shaan’s solo “Kisi Ne Mera.” This is another fast paced feel-good number by Shaan, but this one is much better than the second song. Shaan sings it brilliantly and Jatin-Lalit’s music is creative, although it still abides to their style. There is a female singer (Shraddha Pandit??) and another male singer (Jatin or Lalit???) who sing an interlude, but they are not credited on the album.

Javed Ali sings “Ab Ghar Aaja”, a change for a Jatin-Lalit album. What is the change? Well, not the music. The singing is-it’s classical. The music works, though, a creative mix of instruments and percussion blends in well with the classical singing of Javed Ali. Satyaprakash pens the lyrics for this one.

I won’t even mention any more about “Police Case Na Ban Jaye” with lyrics by Devmani Pandey and singing by Richa Sharma (just read the title of the song-if I do I might just get a police case against me).

“Tu Hi Tu” is a qawaali by Roop Kumar Rathod and Javed Ali. As far as qawaalis go, this one is pretty good. Israr Ansari does a decent job with the lyrics on this one. Roop Kumar Rathod and Javed Ali, both do a good job with this song.

Overall, this album is definitely worth a buy. Haasil stars Jimmy Shergill and Hrishitaa Bhatt, with direction by Tigmanshu Dhulia.