Recommendation: Five movie scores to enjoy actively or passively.

A title that could cut out the last three words.

May 08, 2023

I’m not going to deny that the title is stupid but it is also true, I listen to soundtrack albums to relax or concentrate on work/study but I also do like to sit and delve into them a bit more.

I’m trying to have a good balance of popular and more obscure things here so…

Phantom Thread - Jonny Greenwood

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

I think Jonny Greenwood is one of the best composers for film that we’ve got and I should stress that I’m not really a huge Radiohead fan. The busy piano flourishes throughout this record are positively 1800s and with the orchestral romanticism to boot. A staggering score.

Listen to: House of Woodcock

If Beale Street Could Talk - Nicholas Britell

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

Nicholas Britell has written quite a few notable pieces (including the theme to Succession - which I’ve never heard but is apparently great), however I think so far this is his best work. As sombre and beautiful as the film it is paired with. There’s a streak of melancholy running throughout like an underlying sadness just beneath the surface. Beautiful and devastating.

Listen to: Agape

Carol - Carter Burwell

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

Carter Burwell’s score for Todd Hayne’s gorgeous film Carol is equally lush. Long phrases of sustained strings, with little percussive elements throughout; Burwell really creates a series of pieces here where no individual instrument becomes the star. It’s worth pointing out that there are songs on this soundtrack too, (all great: Billie Holiday, The Clovers, Georgia Gibbs) and though the album plays great with them they don’t quite fit the relax or study to. Maybe just stick to the marvellous Burwell score.

Listen to: Lovers

Under the Skin - Mica Levi

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

Anyone who has seen Jonathon Glazer’s Under the Skin would already know how absolutely wonderful Mica Levi’s score is. In fact, the way the shock of those scenes play out just when listening to the music and its sudden shifts. If you’re like me, sometimes your last minute studying or writing needs to have something a little anxiety inducing behind it to make you feel a little under the wire.

Listen to: Bedroom

In Fabric - Cavern of Anti-Matter

Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp

This is another seemingly odd-choice. Peter Strickland’s giallo-esque horror film about a killer, spooky dress (sold by a spooky vampiric lady) isn’t what you would advertise as a casual, fun time BUT there’s something about Cavern of Anti-Matter’s (started by Tim Gane of Stereolab’s) score that is equal parts droning ambience and soft melodic playing. There are some more danceable, rock tracks too.

Listen to: January-Upon-Thames

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