Firstly, let me comment on the cover, which I can't hold back. Well it has a picture of 2 Dark the brother of bhangras number one star Mehsopuria (looks like he can do with a wig) looking like he gonna go to da gym after this photo event for the front cover. Suddenly I have a brain wave and now I understand why he is called 2Dark. Some extra lighting wouldn't go a miss. Overall they could have been a little more creative with the album cover. The album itself has 12 tracks, 6 new songs and 6 songs brought back to life (remixed). The album originally was supposed to have only 8 tracks but the UK release features 4 bonus songs.

Hidden Depth kicks off with its first track on the album 'Puth Punjab Da' refreshing vocals by 'the funk phenomena' Mehsopuria. This is a traditional bhangra track with the beat being slightly different on da dhol to da normal beat used, so that's something different for the listeners. I wouldn't say the song is catchy but it might just turn traditional desi heads. The song is a little repetitive which can get annoying but the aim of the song is to get you up and dance to the beats and appreciate the fine vocals. Well done for achieving that so overall it's a good start to the album!!

Next up is 'Vang Warga' vocals sang by Bunty Dallewala da new freshie vocalist from Punjab. The lyrics are written by Jaskaran Dulai and they are not bad at all. Even though this type track isn't my cup of tea, I still replay this track after the CD has finished. This track has slowly grown on me and I can safely whisper I kinda like it.

Moving into track 3… Yet again we are blessed by Mehsopuria with the song 'Judhon Yaad Meri,' meaning, "when you remember me." This track has the vocals that are drowned in a sea of anguish. The track makes its way to all our hearts old memories start to project tears drop (not in my case) man this track has some serious lyrics that blow you away in thought. If you're not touched with the words then there's seriously something wrong with you. All of this is achieved only if you understand da words gently flowing out of Mehsopuria mouth. This track is probably the best melody on da album lyrics wise, purely because it does exactly what its set out to do.

'Char Ke Chubaray' is track 4…. a song that would have been played at a 60's Asian birthday party. Old aunties and uncles sitting down to shy to get up and dance so they send their sons and daughters to do the job! We are introduced to Mahunwalia another vocalist from back home. Lyrics are not bad they suit this typical bhangra track and so do the relevant drum beats.

'Tera Tumka Sohniyeh' is track number 5…which originally featured on Mehsopuria's album entitled Tumka II. It's resung by Mehsopuria and produced by 2 Dark. The tempo of da track is just right allowing it to give it that extra kick that we all look for. This track is extremely catchy and sticks like glue in your head. It has the relevant beats to get your energy going and dance your heart out. This particular track has defiantly found a spot in my all time favourites.

"Vichorday" with which we finally broke the traditional bhangra loop which is nice…taking your mind of the constant headache of dhols drumming. This is a qawali type track with Pavan Pali singing makes you fall into deep thought. The track might annoy some people due to the sound of Pavan voice, but I feel that his voice fits right to the mood of the song, probably spot on.

'Puth Punjab Da (Hip Hop) ' is, as the title would suggest the remix that starts with a great intro to the song with wicked beats incorporated to the melody. When the song starts it has the power to lure you in… grabs hold of your attention and makes you ask for more. Great Mc'ing/rapping by Dark Vader the American accent works well with the beat. This track is a remix and my opinion is it's remixed for the better. This track shows a bit of creativity going on which most artist lack. It is focused on hip-hop fans. I'm sure they would appreciate it more than I will.

'Gadasi' is next and this track is definite album filler the ones artist gets away with unnoticed (well you don't fool us at desitunes4u). It's a track by Mahunwalia with lousy vocals nuffin special with the beat. This is a fairly desi track and always gets skipped when I'm listening to the album.

We finally arrive to the bonus tracks. 'Chanjar Da Shankara (2K5 Mix)', is a reproduced track of the Mehsopuria debut album. The lyrics are out of this world and the dhol beats gives this track a dancey attribute. The track does not stand out as one of the best on the album but it's also not an album filler or anything along those lines.

'Mina Mina (Mesho Mix)' is a fabulous track. Well orally vocalised by Mehsopuria, heavy baseline and astonishingly catchy tune. The original version of this track was featured on Khiza's 'Game Over' and 2Dark has managed to spice it up and it's definitely a slight improvement over its predecessor. This song is always on repeat in my sound system I just cant get over the fact that the frantic sounds get me lively oh yeah! The way the beat drops and comes back is just right. This track sounds like it was completed by the process of trial and error to get every beat to fall in the right time not to mention the voice and lyrics making them-selves heard in their own way. Similar to the anthem Tumka II but gives the album a variety, which I look for. This track deserves as much credit as possible well done guys!

'Lak Tera (2K5 Mix)' Lak Tera remember this tune? It was originally featured on Mehsopuria's debut album. Anyways I'll jog your memories for you. This is the tune, which sent fans dancing like wild at a recent Mehsopuria performance. Remember now? It has a powerful bhangra tune stimulating every receptor in the brain. A track which is a big asset to the album and will be one of the reasons that will determine if the albums a hit or miss by you listeners out there.

Final track of the album, 'Tera Tumka Sohniyeh (The Mumbai Mix)' yet another remix. The track once again Mehsopuria making his voice sound lurid. This track has great potential and I've already heard it being played at various parties. It's making itself standout to the listeners people are accepting it with open arms. The second the music hits your eardrums stimulation of the words 'It's gonna be a hit' cannot be ignored. It's a type of track young student desi heads (god knows where they get all that money from) would blast in their posh and expensive cars to make a point. Although what point they are trying to protrude will always be a mystery to me, maybe someone who knows could elaborate on that for me. This tune is a perfect track to wrap-up the album. It starts of good and polishes up with a great finish!

Hidden Depth is the perfect name for this album coz it sends out a message which is imbedded subconsciously on the front cover informing us that there is a hidden talent named 2Dark with dangerous depth to his music ability and talent. If you are a Mehsopuria fan like me then you will enjoy the live and refreshing bhangra vibes and if you're a 2Dark fan like me again you will enjoy the urban vibes that do the job reaching out for your attention. We all need to applaud 2Dark for not using a single sample in the album and his style is most definitely his own, which is a good thing. Here comes the hard part…considering that 50% of album is based on remixes, which it's better to have on the album than not but it still obviously changes things. I mean it's not that I have a problem with remixes but if you exclude them then it only leaves six fresh tracks on the release. As well as this vocally 8 out of the 12 tracks are sung by Mehsopuria, which kinda make it feel like Mehsopuria's 2nd album, and at the same time gives the album a one-dimensional feel to it. Taking all into consideration it probable needs to given it that extra edge needed to make it a hit, so I am going to score this album a 6.8 outta 10!

Review by: Sammae albums

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