In the last few years, Sadhguru has been conducting a series of Mahasathsangs in South India, impacting hundreds of thousands of people. This Ananda Alai or “Wave of Bliss”, true to its word, has been spreading joy and imparting simple spiritual processes to masses of people. This joy has found varied expressions in yearning, yielding, and blissful basking in inner delights by spiritual seekers around the world. This latest album of Tamil songs by Sounds of Isha, entitled “Alai” is a reflection of these expressions set to tune. While some songs may spur you to dance in abandon, others will soak you from within with the sweet ecstasy of Grace. This is an effort by Sounds of Isha towards making the Wave of Bliss touch as many people as possible. “Being joyful is the greatest offering you can make to the world” – Sadhguru Review by indianmusicrevolution.com Isha Foundation's or rather Sadhguru's spiritual influence is generally expected from the album. Written and composed by Sounds of Isha during a series of Mahasathsangs with Sadhguru across South India, Alai boasts of profound lyrics with deep inner meanings. Being made completely in Tamil, a dominance of native sounds and classical influence seems like an unavoidable element. A visit to Isha Foundation's website thankfully gave the lyrics of all the songs and can't really help being a bit enchanted by the sheer eloquence of the lyrics! Oru Anniyar is folk genre, sounding more like a 'pulluvan song' going by the alluring sound of the violin like instrument (pulluvan pattu) and the constant beats of pulluvan kutam, but then the nadaswaram comes in between resulting in somewhat a hybrid natured song, yet engaging in every way! The absolutely graceful tune of Iyarkkai Ennum works big time, an ample melody strong in the composition department gets to another high with the confident yet soothing vocals! Oru Murai has a predominantly Carnatic classical base, the free flowing composition sung to grace by Narayan Parasuram given lift off by VV Ravi's brilliant Violin with some inspiring lyrics! September 23rd is perhaps the most spiritual of the lot, the haunting vocals merged with the deeply rich lyrics given classical treatment produces something with a resilient divine mood! Kanale Kanale is more folk in the core, both the singing style and instruments announces so, while the poetic lyrics of Sri Marabin Maindhan Muthiah gets a highly rhythmic and addictive tune! Un Padham sounds like a fervid prayer, the traditional temple rhythm backed by apt instrumentation (Mridangam and Flute) gives highly pleasing results! Alai Alai, the fisherman's song presumably, is a colloquial tune set to wonderful guitar riffs, enhanced with the nuanced sound of Mridangam and the spritely chants of the chorus! Must Hears: The whole album! Bottom line: Sounds of Isha doesn't go wrong anywhere in Alai. It is a wonderful ensemble of brilliant tracks with some equally brilliant lyrical backbone. Nothing below than a must buy, the album enchants you, inspires you and puts you to sleep, evoking questions about life we've chosen to ignore until now hovering in your head. If it is spiritual, then it is beautiful!