• Jeff Beal Music for 1910’s THE CABINET OF CALIGARI
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Categorical Records is excited to announce the release of the official soundtrack for the original 1920 horror classic, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, featuring a stunning orchestral score by Emmy®-winning composer Jeff Beal (House of Cards). This anticipated soundtrack is available today, alongside a meticulously restored 4K UHD + Blu-ray edition of the film, courtesy of Kino Lorber.
Beal’s score premiered at Carnegie Hall on June 3, 2024, bringing fresh life to this iconic silent film. The soundtrack captures the film's haunting atmosphere and psychological depth, enhancing the eerie narrative.
“This summer I gave my Carnegie Hall debut, conducting the US premiere of my score to 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'. It was a real artistic and emotional high point for me. Now, thanks to Kino Lorber, those who weren’t there, can enjoy the score and film through this gorgeous new 4K edition. I’m also thrilled to be able to release the complete score as a standalone recording, featuring a who’s who of NY finest jazz artists, including Aaron Diehl, John Patitucci, Ted Nash, Obed Calivere, and the wonderful singers of the Fourth Wall Ensemble. The film is a haunting and timeless masterpiece - I hope new viewers might discover the film’s eerie relevance, cinematic influence through this release.”
Jeff Beal also contributes an audio commentary to the 4K edition, describing his music score and commenting on things in the film that impressed and influenced him. "With its nuanced use of many styles of jazz against a choral tapestry influenced by the Second Viennese School, Beal’s beautifully crafted score nods as much to 1940 as to 1920. - The result was a skillfully composed and excellently performed jazz oratorio.”
- Classical Voice North America
Q: What’s been your interest and memory about the original CALIGARI film?
Jeff Beal: You know, it’s funny, I did not know this film as well as some of the others I’ve worked on. I did a score for THE GENERAL; that was my first silent movie score. My first encounter with this film was with some of our students at Eastman School of Music, where we started this film music program, and we’d done a few scenes from it. I was looking at this thing; I didn’t believe what I was seeing; it was so strange to me – in a good way! The look of the film and the story, it was very intriguing. In 2020, I got a call from a professor there regarding a commission for this film, and, believe it or not, I think that was the first time I watched the whole movie, and I loved it. It was interesting because of the timing of seeing CALIGARI in the midst of what was then the beginning of the pandemic, which led to January 6th, 2021, which was around the time I finished it. This still feels true today, not only in politics but in everything, including the information age and technology; the film itself struck me, as did the whole theme of anxiety and unease permeated the film. That resonated with how I felt about many ways modern life is. The film felt very relevant to the present day.
That’s my interest in the silent film scores – I love them as concert vehicles, I think, as a film music concert, as a silent movie, with a film, as you know, we did Carnegie Hall in June of this year, which was thrilling. I love them as concert pieces; for me, my interest in am doing a silent movie is not to treat it as a museum piece; it’s more to treat it as a film, and you forget that you’re watching something that’s maybe one hundred years old. You get lost in the story, and it works for you on some dramatic level.
Q: What brought you into scoring this new treatment of THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI?
Reinhild Steingröver
Jeff Beal: There’s a professor at Eastman, Reinhild Steingröver. She’s a humanities professor and an expert in German cinema. She had started a collaboration with an outstanding ensemble in Germany, the Bundesjazzorchester (Bujazzo for short), a German youth honors ensemble. It’s like the best college-age or post-college students from all around the country. They get together and perform a series of concerts all over Germany and even tour some of them. They’ve also had a choir in the past. In looking for new things to do for this group, they started to get interested in doing things with film. Of course, the German ghoul of the silent movies is one of the richest cinematic legacies we have – a lot of Hollywood filmmaking comes from those roots, whether it’s CALIGARI, METROPOLIS, or NOSFERATU. All these amazing films, SUNRISE is another one that I did with the L.A. Master Choral back in January 2020.
So, she started a couple of projects with them, doing these silent movie concerts, and they were a big hit. I think by the time they reached out to me, it was already an ongoing thing, and they wanted to do another one. It just so happened that the German political forces granted them the funds to underwrite this series of concerts, and a cultural program was put in place to celebrate a significant anniversary and legacy of Jewish life in Germany. It turned out that the director of CALIGARI, Robert Wiene, was also a German Jew, and that felt like it fit that theme very well; even though the theme of the film isn’t about Judaism, a lot of scholars have seen in this film the seeds for what were some of the tragic political and social winds of authoritarianism, control, obviously mind control is a big theme, and this idea of control that tragically came to be in the Holocaust after this film was made, in 1923.
Q: How was it decided to give the film a variety of jazz music as its primary instrumentation?
Jeff Beal: That was delivered to me! That was the ensemble that was commissioning it. But it just seems to hit this film so well. As I was composing it, I thought of a few different things. One was this idea of… in referencing the period, I thought a lot about Kurt Weill, or that kind of Café or Cabaret almost feeling. It was the Roaring Twenties, the Weimar period in Germany. Even though it was a tense period, it was a sort of freedom. Indeed, artistic freedom in that period made jazz feel good; you felt the unpredictability of jazz and sometimes of the wildness. The improvisation of jazz also felt useful when I got into the more psychological parts of the movie when things were coming apart. It felt like controlled chaos, and the jazz music felt really good for that. Of course, lastly, when I think about some of the things I love in suspense filmmaking, and film noir really, a lot of that harmonic language felt like it came from Germanic styles, Bernard Herrmann and all that, but also how I feel about Jerry Goldsmith in CHINATOWN and this great tradition of noir-ish, jazzy scores. CALIGARI is one of the first suspense or horror movies ever made, and, again, I felt like the jazz played into that feeling of noir and black-and-white tension.
Q: Would you describe your use of thematic elements for characters and the unique set pieces of the film’s stage settings?
Jeff Beal: There were some important themes in the movie that related to the characters. Certainly, Caligari has his own theme; it’s that cool jazz waltz that we hear in the beginning when he walks out very full of himself, with a lot of hubris, very self-satisfied, but, again, a villain – although in his mind, that’s just fine. He enjoys who he is. So, it’s important not to judge the character. For me, it’s not unlike, probably, the most famous character I’ve ever scored was Frank Underwood in HOUSE OF CARDS, played by Kevin Spacey. It’s a similar analogous thing; that guy controlled the situation and had no moral problem with doing very evil things to people. So it was very tricky when you score that character; you want the music, to be honest, from that point of view.
Conversely, the other central character theme was for Cesare, the sleepwalker’s theme, which we hear when he comes out of the cabinet. That one is the chorale setting of that poem; it’s that dramatic text; it’s very melancholy, almost slightly romantic in a way, in the sense that Cesare and Caligari are linked in this strange dysfunction, like a strange pair in a way. Once I found that theme, it became very useful and recurs several times in the score.
Q: How did you begin capturing the film’s atmosphere and depth while maintaining its classic silent film characteristics?
Jeff Beal: Silent movies are like, anything goes at a certain point, right? People do electronic scores and many experimental things, and I think that’s all great because great films can handle that. But, I did want people to suspend disbelief in terms of feeling like, if it was – even though it’s written for a modern audience, I wanted it to have the sense like it fit there, it belonged in some strange way. I guess the most helpful thing I could tell you about an image I got in my head because I’m a jazz trumpet player. Improvisation is a big part of my process, so a lot of these choices I make happen intuitively and instinctively, as opposed to some grand design, but I will say, pretty early on in the process, I started to think of one of my favorite composers, from the early 20th Century, Alban Berg. He was sort of a disciple of Schoenberg and what they call the Second Viennese school, which was a very heady, dissonant experimentation happening in Europe. Still, I thought to myself, what if Alban Berg had a side gig writing film scores, and he also had a big band?! What would that music sound like?
That was very useful to me because it ticked off a lot of boxes. It gave me an image in my mind of what the target was artistically. I definitely hovered around that in a lot of different ways. It’s funny because I had not written a lot of big-band music until I did this score, although I did a ton of it much earlier in my ’20s, going to the Eastman School of Music and shortly thereafter wrote a lot of big-band music, some of it’s still published. But, going back to this form, I’ve done it occasionally for a film here and there, but coming back to the big-band format, which I love, I think I thought more orchestrally about the big-band. And that’s something, I think, that does tie in back to that tradition of Kurt Veil and Alban Berg. It also relates to the German wind ensemble band, the Oompah, and other traditions. but I also probably thought about Gil Evans, too – because, again, when you look at Gil’s seminal records with Miles Davis, Kind of Blue and the other ones he did with him, with the sort of modified big band, I would call them, Gil wrote for a big-band. Still, he wrote in a very unconventional and often orchestral way, and that’s sort of how I’d thought of them; I thought of them as an orchestra; it’s early stages, but I want to do an orchestral version of this score, that can be played, for example, by a symphony orchestra. Possibly take some of the saxophones and make them the strings… still, it would be a jazz score, but it gives it that life because I was always thinking orchestral when I was composing, even though it was written for that instrumentation.
Q: What can you tell me about your voices and the singers that enhanced the orchestra?
Jeff Beal: I knew there was a choir and thought, “That’s an interesting idea!” So, I wrote some choral parts for the score. I heard that version of the score premiered in 2021 in Germany, even though, because it was at the end of the pandemic, there were just four or five singers, close-miked; immediately, when I heard that, I realized how much the voices were adding to the whole score. So, for the version you’ve seen, which we did at Carnegie Hall, it’s been released as a recording, and which is now on this Blu-Ray, I really wanted to expand the choir. I realized that was a huge part of the score, and I wanted to write more for the voices, so I, in fact, did. The solo soprano lines you hear and the occasional tenor lines were all newly composed, and there are a few more sections… for example, towards the end of the score, there are some sections where we just hear the voices on their own, acapella. Again, those were not there before, so I realized that was an interesting juxtaposition. I think the voices worked in a few different ways; one of them – the most important – is the idea of psychology and the waking dream aesthetic, which I always feel is part of these German expressionist movies. The first scene is a good example – we open up, and you don’t even know where you are; there are two guys on a bench, and this woman walks through this kind of veil; you know she looks comatose, “What am I seeing?” is sort of how you feel. It’s one of the most gripping opening scenes I’ve ever seen in a movie. You watch it and follow it, but you have no idea where this movie is going. So, I felt that using voices helped create that sense of mystery, otherworldliness, and the dream state. Of course, we learn that the end of the movie is, in fact, possibly an unreliable narrative, or the whole film is, in a way, framed by this idea of insanity and the waking dream.
Q: How have you used these sonic elements to enhance the film’s suspense and haunting tension of the storyline?
Jeff Beal: I’ll give you an example. There are some sections where we see the first murder happen. It’s all shown in shadows, but you don’t see it happening. You see the shadow of Cesare over the man, but it reminds of a lot of Hitchcock’s scene in the PSYCHO shower scene, where you don’t see the actual murder, you just see the hand and these screeching violins, and it[’s just terrifying. Robert Wiene’s scene is very similar to that; you can almost see where the idea for that scene came from. For that, I did this thing where it was like this strange canon between the brass; they keep going, and different instruments come in playing the same notes but in various pitches, and it just becomes this sort of tangled web notes. It just sounds like this cacophony! As that theme comes back, I have the choir shouting some words; occasionally, it’s written out in tempo to hit these specific points; later on in the score, I have this technique which has a very fancy German name, which is Sprechstimme [expressionist musical vocal techniques between singing and speaking]. Some of those lines came later. I don’t know if you heard the score singing more randomly in this cacophony; it’s almost like they’re making a crowd sound. That was all planned into the score, but to make you feel like, “Wow, where’s that coming from?” It’s one more element of sound that’s hitting you in a strange way.
I did a lot of stuff with odd rhythms and odd syncopations as the film gets more intense. I would say one of my favorite suspense scenes in the movie is when Cesare finally goes to Jane’s apartment after Caligari has told him to kill her. So he stalks her, he walks up on her bed, and he tries to kill her, and then he can’t do it; he just sees her, and then he carries her away. That whole section has a few different elements, what I could call more classic horror elements. At very close intervals, the high piano drums are sometimes written out of time to do these sorts of improvised ideas. Again, it’s orchestrating very visceral sounds that terrify you.
Q: What’s coming up next that you can talk about?
Jeff Beal: This has been announced, so I can discuss it. I’m scoring a documentary series for Apple TV+ that’s about this year’s World Series, that just happened. R.J. Cutler is directing it; he just did the ELTON JOHN movie that’s coming out and the MARTHA STEWART documentary. R.J.’s great, we worked together on a couple of things. I’m really excited about that – I haven’t seen the film yet, but it will be really quick; we’re going to finish it all by the end of February. I also have two features that I did last year, which are finally coming out. One is called CAN YOU HEAR ME, which will be in the US in 2025. It is also a wonderful drama, which has been retitled RULE BREAKERS. It’s a true story but a drama about the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, which went on to win a Gold Medal before the Taliban shut down Girl’s Education. It’s a very inspiring story. That was a fun score – I used the Brooklyn Youth Choir on my score, a choir of about thirty young girls; it was like a young women’s choir singing throughout the score.
Special thanks to Sarah Roche of White Bear PR for facilitating this interview, and especially for Jeff Beal for his detailed comments in our discussion on scoring CALIGARI. Thanks also for Kino-Lorber for assembling such a fascinating and thorough 4K treatment of thefilm.
“My Experience on Composing for I WATCHED HER GROW by Kaye Formanes
I am Kaye Formanes, a Filipino American music composer/songwriter who composed the score for the sci-fi/fantasy drama feature I WATCHED HER GROW. Before working on this project, I composed the score for the short horror film, THE LIGHT IN THEIR EYES, which received an honorable mention award for Best Original Score at the Seattle Horror 48-Hour Film Challenge in 2023. Working with my sister, Shea Formanes, the writer/director of I WATCHED HER GROW, was a lot of fun and exciting. Through our collaboration, I used my musical style to help tell the story of a young woman grieving the loss of her mother, who just so happens to be half-plant/half-human, and of a teenager who learns to face her past to embrace the future ahead of her. Given that the film is a homage to Filipino mythology and the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, we wanted to ensure that the score reflected a tentative promise that wholly accepting your past will help you embrace the future.
In the final piece on the original soundtrack, the “I Watched Her Grow- End Title” is an accumulation of all the character themes heard throughout the film. Using soft piano and synths to play a chord progression based in A-major, with occasional changes to C-major and/or A-minor, this structure symbolizes the turbulent challenges that Ada and Wren face throughout the film, as well as highlighting the lingering question, “Where do we go from here?” The piece transitions into a violin solo, supported by a string orchestra, as they reprise the film’s central theme in C#-major. The swelling strings represent unity, letting go of the past to embrace the future, and the idea that the existential fear associated with “forever” isn’t as terrifying when surrounded by people who wholly embrace all you are. Finally, the piece falls back to the soft piano and solo violin, which both play a harmonic melody in the key of C#-major for one, a final reprise of the main title theme, bringing the music (and the story) to a bittersweet close.
Being able to compose for such a compelling film is such a huge honor. For me, music has always been a way of telling a story without speaking, a way of communication that is both poignant and universally understood. I am very excited to see where my journey as a film composer goes from here.
OUT OF AFRICA, OLD MAN & THE SEA/John Barry, Dimitri Tiomkin/Intrada CD
Intrada announces an expanded edition of John Barry’s Oscar-winning score to Universal’s 1985 film, OUT OF AFRICA. One of the last albums produced by Doug Fake, to whom this release is dedicated, the lengthy film is sparsely scored, especially considering the expansive nature of the film and beautiful scenery. The 37-minute score is just all the more powerful when it does appear, including the spectacular "Flight Over Africa" sequence. Included in this release are themes and ideas not present on the original MCA album released at the time of the film, premiering some true Barry gems. The label has also, in agreement with Volta Music, presented a brand-new recording of Dimitri Tiomkin's 1958 Oscar-winning score to THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA. The album was recorded with regular Intrada favorite, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, under the baton of Richard Kaufman. THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA was a golden opportunity for a composer; rife with atmosphere and notably short on dialogue, the picture called for a composer who could “think big” and create a sprawling musical canvas reflecting the film’s theme of man vs. nature. Tiomkin composed nearly 80 minutes of rich orchestral underscore. Inspired by Hemingway’s story, Tiomkin crafted a score that supports the drama, in his words, “in the style of a symphonic poem for concert.” Five principal themes unify the mammoth composition. The CD includes nearly an hour and 30 minutes of music – the complete score plus additional arrangements. Remarkably, the original full-score manuscripts have survived for nearly 70 years, thanks to Dimitri Tiomkin’s own preservation efforts. See Intrada for details:
MOONRAKER AND THE GOLDEN GUN/
LA-LA Land Records CD
La-La Land Records, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, EON Productions and Universal Music Enterprises mark the 45th Anniversary of the eleventh 007 film, MOONRAKER, with a remastered and expanded 2-CD re-issue of John Barry's original motion picture score. It’s a thrilling, often romantic score that not only takes 007 around the world… but propels him into outer space. Shirley Bassey returns for her third Bond title song, featuring lyrics by Hal David. Expanded beyond previous soundtrack editions and with highly enhanced audio quality, Moonraker blasts off like never before within this deluxe presentation. This is a special 2-CD release, limited to only 5,000 units. Disc One presents the score in chronological order and features music never before available, followed by source music recorded for the film and additional versions of score cues; while Disc 2 presents the original 1979 soundtrack album, newly assembled for this release, followed by alternate versions of the title song, including two early versions with lyrics and vocals by Oscar® and GRAMMY® winner Paul Williams.
Following is 50th Anniversary of the ninth 007 film THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, with a remastered and expanded 2-CD re-issue of composer John Barry’s original motion picture score. Produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, the 1974 film stars Roger Moore as James Bond with Christopher Lee as Francisco Scaramanga, and is directed by Bond veteran Guy Hamilton. Hot off a stellar debut in LIVE AND LET DIE, the film would also mark the return of Oscar® winning composer John Barry to the franchise, providing his first score for Moore’s 007. The composer accompanies the globe-trotting adventure with yet another accomplished work – with 007 motifs, familiar and new, blended within an irresistible meld of classic orchestra, rock and jazz. With lyrics by Don Black, the bombastic title song is brought to life by iconic Scottish singer Lulu. This 2-CD release, limited to only 5,000 units, showcases the music of THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN in thrilling and comprehensive fashion. Disc 1 presents the score in chronological order and features music never before available; while additional music includes source music recorded for the film and the demo take of the title song; disc 2 presents the original 1974 soundtrack album, newly assembled for this release.
The new, exclusive liner notes are by journalist and author Jon Burlingame, and the art design is by Dan Goldwasser. These two titles follow November’s announcements of three holiday releases: THE GODFATHER PART II (50th Anniversary Remastered and Expanded Limited Edition 2-CD set); JURASSIC PARK III: Remastered & Expanded Limited Edition (2 CD Set); and SPIDER-MAN 2 20TH ANNIVERSARY MOTION PICTURE SCORE AND REMASTERED LIMITED EDITION (3 CD SET) – see my October/November column for details.
For details visit La-La Land Records.
WHY DINOSAURS?/Raphaël Dargent/MovieScore Media - digital
Original score from the 2024 documentary feature film directed by James L. Pinto and Tony Pinto, produced and released by Pinto Productions (USA). A documentary about dinosaurs and the people who love them. Notes composer Dargent: “?Go big or go home! What else could you do when scoring a documentary about the largest animals to ever walk the Earth? For this heartwarming coming-of-age story of a father and son exploring paleontology, we’ve pulled out all the stops. We recorded a huge 75-piece orchestra, crafting themes as diverse as the dinosaur species themselves. Each musical motif is a unique brushstroke, capturing the essence of these magnificent creatures and the passion of those who study them. The result is a rich, full-bodied orchestral score mirroring the meticulous work of paleontologists. Like piecing together bones to reconstruct skeletons, we’ve woven a tapestry of melodies and harmonies, puzzling together to create a larger-than-life sound.
See: MSM.
SISTERS/Bernard Herrman/Music Box Records - CD
In collaboration with Edward R. Pressman Film Corporation, Music Box Records presents, in a new remastered edition, the original soundtrack of the film SISTERS (1973) composed and conducted by Bernard Herrmann. For this story of doubles and twins, Brian De Palma signs a bloody thriller in the form of a psychedelic homage to Alfred Hitchcock. The director's first mainstream experience, the film is placed under the sign of schizophrenia, with Margot Kidder, Jennifer Salt, William Finley and Charles Durning. Bernard Herrmann's tormented and disturbing music contributes to the atmosphere of this psychological horror film, by highlighting the sounds of the Moog synthesizer (performed by the English composer Howard Blake) and strident eruptions of brass, combined with the romantic and terrifying strings of the orchestra. This new reissue has been carefully remastered from the original program of the album, the only source available to date (the recording sessions having not been found by the producer) and containing all of the music written by Herrmann for the film. This edition includes a 12-page booklet with text written by Daniel Schweiger that looks back at the genesis of the film, including an exclusive interview with editor Paul Hirsch. Limited Edition of 1000 copies.
See: Music Box Records
PINK PANTHER/DARLING LILI/MOLLY MAGUIRES/
Quartet Records - CD
Among Quartet Records’ end of the year soundtrack offerings are three splendid and expanded scores from Henry Mancini. The music from THE PINK PANTHER (1964, MGM), is provided with the composer’s original film score (23 tracks and six bonus tracks) and, on Disc 2, a presentation of the RCA Album recording (12 tracks), offering the remastered album Mancini recorded for RCA with new arrangements of the more commercial tracks. All this gives listeners a thorough listening to the composer’s marvelous score, which celebrates THE PINK PANTHER’s 60th anniversary. Carefully produced, restored and mastered by Chris Malone, the package includes a 24-page booklet with extensive liner notes by film music writer Jeff Bond (who also provides liner notes for the other two soundtracks).
DARLING LILI (1970) is an unconventional musical in which characters burst into song as a narrative substitute for speech or interior monologue. Director Blake Edwards described it as “a romantic comedy with music.” Inspired by the life of Mata Hari, the film tells the story of supposedly British singer Lili Smith (Julie Andrews), who triumphs in France during World War I. In reality, she’s a German citizen named Lili Schmidt, working for German military espionage. While the film was a box office failure, it’s a musical delight, in which Mancini and his favorite lyricist, Johnny Mercer, wrote a number of wonderful songs for the picture, including “Whistle Away the Dark,” one of their most beautiful creations; and wherein Mancini also wrote a powerful symphonic and dramatic score that has never been heard outside of the movie. Quartet’s soundtrack edition has been painstakingly produced, restored and mastered by Chris Malone, working from the first-generation album master and mono and stereo elements provided by Paramount Pictures. It includes the historic RCA album with the original songs beautifully performed by Julie Andrews, Mancini’s complete underscore for the film, plus some curious extras such as the demos and two unreleased Mancini-Mercer songs that were not included in the film. Instrumental versions of the songs round out the program.
Thirdly, we have Martin Ritt’s THE MOLLY MAGUIRES, presenting a remastered, remixed and expanded edition of one of Henry Mancini’s most evocative and powerful dramatic scores: 1970’s THE MOLLY MAGUIRES, a 1970 historical drama starring Richard Harris, Sean Connery, and Samantha Eggar, loosely based on the true story of a small band of Irish miners/terrorists called the Molly Maguires. Mancini composed the film score after a previous one by Charles Strouse was rejected. Mancini wrote a sensitive, dramatic, delicate score with an Irish flavor that was always close to his heart; he considered it one of his favorites. Chris Malone remixed the score, eliminating the unpleasant hiss in previous editions, using new technology. We were also fortunate that new elements appeared in the Paramount vaults, and the score has been released in a more complete form, with more than 20 minutes of previously unreleased cues, and revised and alternate versions. Finally, Mr. Strouse’s unused score has been newly remixed and included in this set.
For more details, see Quartet Records:
BLADE (1998)/Mark Isham, & BLADE II (2002)/Marco Beltrami/Varese Sarabande - CD
BLADE is the first installment in the Blade film series, starring Wesley Snipes in his signature role as the iconic vampire hunter. The film kicked off not only the Blade franchise but Marvel’s incredible run translating their iconic stories to the big screen. Mark Isham scored the film with a combination of influences from hip-hop (Snipes’ preference) to English electronica (favored by the director). A jazz trumpeter who excelled in film due to his uncanny sense of cinematic mood, Isham blended those genres with synthesizers, orchestra and choir into what is, by comic book film standards, an unusually subtle yet powerful and dramatic score. Originally released in 1998 as a 7-track, 33-minute album; this new Deluxe Edition vastly expands the sequence into a 45-track, 72-minute program, with new liner notes by Daniel Schweiger.
BLADE II was helmed by genre maestro Guillermo del Toro, finding Snipes’ title character teaming up with his former vampire enemies, the Bloodpack, against a new strain of mutant vampires who are hunting humans and vampires alike. Joining Kris Kristofferson in the supporting cast were Ron Perlman, Norman Reedus and Donnie Yen. The score is a tour-de-force for Marco Beltrami’s aggressive action-horror style, with symphonic thrills, scares and chases galore. It also incorporates a strong Asian element, given that del Toro was influenced by anime, with taiko drums and shakuhachi adding to the full orchestra and choir. There’s even an electronica aspect, as Beltrami collaborated with DJ Danny Saber on several cues. Originally released as a 33-minute program by Varèse Sarabande in 2002, the new version has nearly tripled in length with this 38-track, 97-minute 2CD Deluxe Edition. Liner notes by Daniel Schweiger incorporate new interview comments by the composer.
See: Varese Sarabande
Plaza Mayor Company has a new list of latest releases from a large variety of composers, including DIMENSION SLIP (score by Marco Werba & Maria Chiara Casa), and Werba’s DAEMON MIND, Le DELUGE (The Flood) scored by Fabio Massino Capogrosso, LE BONHEUR, by Beatrice Thiriet, well worth checking out at Plaza Mayor Company and their Instagram account.
NOSFERATU/Christopher Young/Warner Classics/CD
Christopher Young’s Kickstarter Project offers a mighty horrific score for this new musical treatment of the classic silent film, which so far has had 17 or more treatments of a score over the years. With Frank Strobel conducting the Tonhalle-Orchestra Zurich, Saya Hashino on the organ, and Young’s amazing tonalities, horrific passages, and eerie treatments maintaining an impending cacophony of resolute doom, this is a hugely powerful incarnation of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 German Expressionist masterpiece. Young “reminds us of the film’s silent-era origins by featuring a pipe organ as the central instrument, surrounded by a large symphony orchestra, an ideal choice to support the grand-scale melodrama and Gothic horror throughout,” writes Jon Burlingame in his CD liner notes. “No contemporary composer could be better suited to the task.” Young opens the album with a magnificent eight-note repeated Overture that treats his main theme to a splendid regiment of brass and winds and various other treatments, integrating the music into a gathering kaleidoscope of horrific, before sweeping into Episode 1’s nine-minute treatment via “Dead Flowers” and “Hutter’s Departure,” a pleasing melancholic enjoyment before the fright steps into view. The score’s ominous measures and powerful dissonances maintain dark, gothic melodies, mixing low brasses, bells and swirling flutes, all given massive, horrific substance throughout the powerful, raging footsteps of the orchestra as it maintains the presence of Nosferatu. “ ‘Magnificent, powerful, breathtaking, dramatic, visceral, and utterly terrifying’ were just some of the accolades the composer received after the premiere,” wrote Burlingame. “Christopher Young has, indeed, delivered a symphony of horror for NOSFERATU.” The CD presentation found its treatment through a Kickstarter Campaign; but if you’ve missed it, eBay and Amazon both provide the CD, as well as a digital edition of Young’s full score. Amazon also sells a vinyl edition of Young’s NOSFERATU score, see here.
NOSFERATU/Robin Carolan/Back Lot Music/CD
Sacred Bones & Back Lot Music release the physical & digital release of Robin Carolan’s original motion picture soundtrack for Robert Eggers’ forthcoming film NOSFERATU. The soundtrack is available for both physical purchase and to stream digitally following the release of the first two singles, with the film set to hit theaters nationwide on December 25th. Carolan’s soundtrack is a haunting, gothic-infused and meticulously crafted work that draws from a vast palette of sounds, instruments, and inspirations. Following their successful collaboration on THE NORTHMAN, Carolan reunites with Eggers to bring the legendary tale of NOSFERATU to life, infusing the film with a score that is as complex and nuanced as the story itself. “From the get-go, it was important to me that I not just write something you’d solely think of as a ‘horror score’,” Carolan explains. “I wanted to really lean into the melancholy, tragic aspect of the tale, and even make room for something akin to romance, albeit a very warped kind of romanticism.” Carolan’s inspirations for the score were as eclectic as they were profound. He frequently drew upon the works of Bartok and Coil, while films like THE INNOCENTS, ANGELS AND INSECTS, and EYES WIDE SHUT provided cinematic inspiration. Additionally, he explored the more obscure side of Hammer Horror soundtracks and found a deep connection to the music of the Ukrainian film THE EVE OF IVAN KUPALO, which helped shape the score’s otherworldly tone. Still, Carolan intentionally moved beyond the typical horror score, focusing on capturing the tale’s melancholy and tragic elements while weaving in a sense of warped romanticism.
Physical copy purchase links.
Nosferatu Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digital streaming links:
Nosferatu movie trailer here:
HsinminChou is the Music Director of HSINMIN GLOBAL MUSIC PRODUCTION CORP., based in Sydney. Global Music Production Corporation® specializes in providing tailored music production services, particularly in commercial music, film scores, and collaborative performances. Sample her music – compositions, scores, performances, designs, video productions – she has a number of compositions set to piano, harp and flute, oboe, various concerto, and full orchestra. She’s looking to find opportunities in active film composition. Have a look at her website and see if her work fits some of your projects.
The winners of the 15th Annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards™ (HMMA) were awarded Nov. 20th in a star-studded ceremony at The Avalon in Hollywood, CA. The film music winners include Netflix’s Emilia Pérez and composer Hans Zimmer, which both received three awards, and Universal Pictures animated film, THE WILD ROBOT, which received two. Film scoring awards also went to Alberto Iglesias, who received an award for SCORE - INDEPENDENT FILM from Pedro Almodóvar’s THE ROOM NEXT DOOR. Robin Carolan received the HMMA for SCORE - HORROR/THRILLER FILM for NOSFERATU, and composer Ilan Eshkeri received the award for SCORE - DOCUMENTARY for SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY. Additional HMMA highlights included the award for SCORE - TV SHOW/LIMITED SERIES to composers Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, and Nick Chuba for the music to Hulu’s epic series SH?GUN, which swept the Emmys this year, and A.R. Rahman received the HMMA for SCORE - INDEPENDENT FILM (FOREIGN LANGUAGE) for THE GOAT LIFE.
See complete list of winners.
At the Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) holiday soirees held in Los Angeles, NYC, and Nashville, a Who’s Who of the entertainment industry gathered to celebrate together and recognize accomplishments of many of the world’s top music creators in films, TV, and other visual media. In Los Angeles at the SCL Holiday Dinner, legendary producer Jimmy Jam and SCL President Ashley Irwin presented Giorgio Moroder with the SCL Lifetime Achievement Award. Composers Hoyt Curtin and Carl Stalling, architects of the best-loved, iconic music in the most popular cartoons and animated films, were also posthumously inducted into the SCL Hall of Fame. EGOT-winning songwriters Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, and Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal were presented 2024 SCL Ambassador Awards at the SCL Holiday Party in NYC. In Nashville, Emmy-winning composer Brian D. Siewert and Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive and President of Music for Electronic Arts, were each honored with the SCL Trailblazer Award at the SCL Holiday Party. Pictured: Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal (below left) accepts the Ambassador Award from SCL President Ashley Irwin at the SCL Holiday Party in NYC.
Brian Tyler has recently been recording his score for the upcoming historical thriller close. The film marks the second directorial effort of writer/producer James Vanderbilt (ZODIAC, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and stars Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, and Michael Shannon. The movie is based on the book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai and chronicles the eponymous trials held in 1945 & 1946 by the Allies against the defeated Nazi regime. Tyler has previously scored Vanderbilt’s 2015 directorial debut, TRUST, as well as several other movies produced by the filmmaker. NUREMBERG is expected to premiere in 2025. – via filmmusicreporter
STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW is now streaming, exclusively on Disney+. The series stars Jude Law, Kyriana Kratter, and Ryan Kiera Armstrong in a sci-fi story about four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their home planet that leads them to get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. The music is by Mick Giacchino (son of Michael). Listen to his arrangement of the Skelton Crew Main Theme:
Colin Stetson has composed the score for the Japanese animated horror film, UZUMAKI (2024), based on the original graphic novel “UZUMAKI” by Junji ITO, published by Shogak. The film follows the population of Kurouzu as it is slowly driven mad by their growing obsessions with spiral shapes, finding them everywhere with shocking and horrifying results. (A live-action film of the same name was previously released in Japan in 2000, with an American title of SPIRAL). A vinyl soundtrack of Stetson’s score is available on eBay, Amazon, etc.
Watch the UZUMAKI Trailer:
Released to SHUDDER last November 8th, BLACK CAB is directed by Bruce Goodison and stars George Bukhari, Nick Frost, Synnove Karlsen, and Luke Norris, and features a score by Gazelle Twin (as Elizabeth Bernholz); known for NOCTURNE (2020), THE POWER (2021) and THEN YOU RUN (2023). Synopsis: A night out goes from bad to worse when an estranged couple are abducted by their jovial cab driver, who diverts them to a remote, haunted road, revealing disturbing motives and his true intentions. Is he mad or just plain evil?
Watch the trailer.
Kristopher Carter, Founding Partner, Composer at Dynamic Music Partners, has announced that the JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED OriginalSoundtrack Vol.1 is now available! Kristopher, Lolita Ritmanis, and Michael McCuistion announce music from this popular WB Animation series will finally be available outside the series for the first time. The album features 98 never-before released tracks from the hit WB show composed by the three and includes the Primetime Emmy Nominated Main Title Theme by Michael. The album is produced by Michael, Lolita & Kristopher and will be released by Dynamic Soundtrack Records on all major digital and streaming outlets. Subscribers to the Dynamic Music Partners mailing list will receive a special, printable track guide to go along with the digital album. Those interested can subscribe at their website or at this link.
Spencer Creaghan (SURREALESTATE, THE QUICKENING) has some new scores over the last few months, including: SPACEMAN (2024), a unique short film composed with Chris Reineck, that uses mime, stop motion, classic animation, and theatrical elements, to explore one artist's loss of creative passion, and his journey to get it back again; and a holiday film, Maggie and Julianne are ex-girlfriends who unexpectedly rekindle the spark during a hometown visit for the holidays. Are they meant to be? They'll have to navigate their feelings, the gossiping town, and ghosts of exes past to find out; and LAST ExMAS (2024) with Maggie and Julianne (Elena Milo & Shaeane Jimenez) are ex-girlfriends who unexpectedly rekindle the spark during a hometown visit for the holidays. Are they meant to be? They’ll have to navigate their feelings, the gossiping town, and ghosts of exes past to find out. Spencer is known for his evocative and adventurous score to the global hit SYFY series SURREALESTATE, starring Sarah Levy and Tim Rozon. Spencer's unique musical practice merges classical orchestration, contemporary pop & rock, ancient folk traditions, organic human vocal textures, and on-site field recordings to craft a bold personification of the film’s subtextual essence.
CREATURE COMMANDOS is an American adult animated television series based on DC Comics featuring the eponymous team. Produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation, it is the first television series in the DC Universe (DCU) and the first installment overall. It focuses on a black ops team of monsters assembled by Amanda Waller. All seven episodes were written by series creator James Gunn, with Dean Lorey as showrunner. Composers Kevin Kiner and Clint Mansell provide the music for the series. CREATURE COMMANDOS premiered on the streaming service Max on December 5, 2024, with its first two episodes; the other five episodes will be released weekly until January 9, 2025. The series received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, animation, and Gunn’s storytelling. It is the first entry in the DCU’s CHAPTER ONE: GODS AND MONSTERS. Watch the CREATURE COMMANDOS trailer (to the tune of Nina Simone’s 1964 “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and the 1965 hit by The Animals):
If you haven’t watched enough shark horror movies (and, OK, I haven’t), AMC offers the rather cool film THE LAST BREATH, wherein a group of old college friends reunite on a Caribbean scuba diving trip exploring the wreckage of a WWII battleship and find themselves trapped inside the underwater labyrinth of rusted metal surrounded by great white sharks. Joachim Hedén directs (known for underwater thrillers like BREAKING SURFACE, and writer for THE DIVE); cast includes Kim Spearman, Jack Parr, Alexander Arnold; music score by Patrick Kirst (WOMAN OF THE DEAD, WASTELAND [both TV miniseries], SPACEMAN, MOLA – A TIBETAN TALE OF LOVE AND LOSS [doc.].
Watch the trailer, from AMC.
Michael A. Levine has won Best Short Film at the France USA International Film Festival for his score to the film IN THE SILENCE, written by Rob Merritt and directed by Adam Orton. “To call ITS, a short, is a bit misleading – it’s actually about 45 minutes long. In theory a ghost story, but really a rather beautiful examination of a man dealing with grief. ITS is now on Amazon Prime Video, available to rent or buy. Synopsis: After facing tragedy, a husband and wife move to a rural home hoping that the peace and quiet will help them heal. All is not what it seems, however, and the arrival of a strange man along with certain paranormal events begin to call into question the terrible past they thought they could escape. - via Michael A. Levine via Linkedin. Congrats Michael!
To protect the light, they fight in shadow. Paramount+ has revealed the official trailer for its original movie STAR TREK: SECTION 31, during the Paramount+ presentation at CCXP in São Paolo, Brazil. The movie will premiere on Friday, January 24, exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and international markets where the service is available. In the movie, Michelle Yeoh reprises her fan-favorite role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou – a character she played in STAR TREK: DISCOVERY’s first season – who joins a secret division of Starfleet. The music is composed by Jeff Russo, known for STAR TREK PICARD, STAR TREK DISCOVERY, STAR TREK SHORT TAKES, as well as FARGO, RIPLEY, and much else. Watch the STAR TREK: SECTION 31 Trailer:
From Ketchup Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, director Pete Browngardt, and the creative team behind the award-winning Looney Tunes Cartoons, comes THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE, a brand-new buddy comedy starring one of the greatest comedic duos in history – Porky Pig and Daffy Duck! This richly crafted, hand-drawn 2D animated adventure marks the first fully-animated feature-length film in Looney Tunes history, told on a scope and scale that’s truly out of this world. Porky Pig and Daffy Duck venture to the big screen as unlikely heroes and Earth’s only hope when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. Faced with cosmic odds, the two are determined to save their town (and the world!)... that is, if they don’t drive each other totally looney in the process. Featuring the voices of acclaimed actors Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Peter MacNicol, Wayne Knight, and Laraine Newman with the laugh-out-loud gags, vibrant visuals, and beloved characters that make the Looney Tunes so timeless and iconic. The film will release in theaters on February 28, 2025. Music By: Joshua Moshier (MR. THROWBACK, THE SHRINK NEXT DOOR, BASKETS, DOCUMENTARY NOW!)
Watch the teaser trailer:
From three-time Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON trilogy, comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise. On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is part of the Filmed For IMAX®Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX® technology to help them deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences around the world. Music by John Powell, who scored the previous animated HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGONs movies.
Fatima Al Qadiri has recently scored the thriller starring Elizabeth Banks, SKINCARE. The film follows famed aesthetician Hope Goldman as her skincare business faces sabotage when rival Angel Vergara opens a boutique across the street. Fatima’s score employs a minimalist electronic style with a dark undertone, reflecting the film’s themes of obsession, vanity and hidden dangers. Directed by Austin Peters.
Blue Fox Entertainment's Family-Friendly Adventure AUTUMN AND THE BLACK JAGUAR comes to theaters nationwide on January 17. After years in New York City, 14-year-old Autumn returns to the Amazon rainforest to save her childhood village and beloved jaguar friend. The international box office hit comes from the same formidable talents behind the global successes MIA AND THE WHITE LION and THE WOLF AND THE LION. Directed by Gilles de Maistre, Armand Amar (THE CONCERT, 1,000 TIMES GOOD NIGHT, AMEN. and HEARTBREAKER) composes the score.
Super Cassettes Industries has released a soundtrack album for the Indian Amazon original series CITADEL: HONEY BUNNY. The album features the songs from the show performed by Sachin-Jigar, Fiddlecraft, Aman Pant, Akhil Tiwari & others. Also included is the project’s title theme composed by AmanPant and Alex Belcher (EXTRACTION, 21 BRIDGES) who scored the original CITADEL series. The action thriller, executive produced by the Russo Brothers, follows a stuntman who recruits a struggling actress for a side gig as they are hurled into a high-stakes world of action, espionage, and betrayal. The series is now available on Prime Video. From Film Music Reporter
Salvatore Sangiovanni and Susan DeBona (THE TRANSPARENT WOMAN, BLOODY FURY, BAD HABITS DIE HARD) have scored SAY A LITTLE PRAYER, a romantic comedy in which three girlfriends from San Antonio, TX recite an ancient prayer to find lost husbands, unleashing chaos on their relationships. Starring Luis Fonsi, Vannessa Vasquez , Jackie Cruz, Vivian Lamoli, Angelica Maria, Chris Kattan, Tatanka Means, and directed by Patrick Perez Vidauri.
Brian H.Kim brings music and score to life with the release of the Original Series Soundtrack for Netflix’s JENTRY CHAU VS THE UNDERWORLD, which is now available on all platforms, including a special two-disc vinyl release. The film follows a Chinese-American teen living in a small Texas town, who finds out a demon king is hunting her for the supernatural powers she’s been working her whole life to repress. With contributions from artists like Katseye, Woosung, and many more, music seamlessly integrates original songs and motifs, delivering a cohesive and electrifying listening experience. Kim notes, “After three amazing years of writing and producing the songs and score for JENTRY CHAU VS. THE UNDERWORLD, I am truly ecstatic for the world to hear this soundtrack. We combined horror, trap, pop, hip-hop, and traditional East Asian music with incredible performances from global recording artists such as KATSEYE, Jessi, Yaeji, eaJ, and more. I have always dreamed of creating a pop album and an original score that works as one cohesive soundtrack, and now to do that in partnership with visionary studios like Netflix and Titmouse is a dream come true.”
Click for the Soundtrack.
MovieScore Media has released the first soundtrack album for SHERWOOD, a British television crime drama series created and written by James Graham. It stars David Morrissey and is inspired by two shocking and unexpected murders leading to one of the largest manhunts in British history, in Nottinghamshire, England in 2004. The first episode of the six-episode series aired on BBC One on 13 June 2022; it was renewed for a second series, which premiered on August 25, 2024. The soundtrack album features selections of the show’s original music composed by Lorne Balfe.
Listen to a cue from the soundrack.
Via Film Music Reporter and Wikipedia.
YELLOWSTONE: Season 5, Volume 3 soundtrack release from the epic Paramount+ TV saga has been released digitally via Lakeshore Records, from composers Brian Tyler and Breton Vivian. Says Tyler: “It has been such a dream continuing the saga of the Dutton family, and a pleasure seeing this body of work to its epic conclusion. Taylor Sheridan’s stunning vision for the world is an absolute treat for a composer. As the stakes rise to even greater heights, so has the call for music that emotionally resonates with the trials and tribulations of our characters. I wanted to bring in a tonality of darkness and intensity that reflects a world of changing relationships, but also leaves space for rebirth and renewal. I wanted to handle John’s passing, a truly beloved character, with great care. It’s my hope that our wonderful audience sees this moment musically as both somber and haunting, while sensitively highlighting the betrayal and gravitational shift that such a moment brings. It has been one of the true great pleasures of my career working alongside Taylor Sheridan and Breton Vivian, two creatives for whom I have the utmost respect and trust — together we have created a beautiful piece of art that, I hope, will be cherished long after its conclusion.” Listen to the cue “The Burning Car” below:
Jérôme Leroy (THE HOUSEMAID, DAYDREAMERS, A BETTER PLACE, AN AMERICAN IN AUSTEN) has composed his fourth album commissioned by British music library Audio Network. THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE is “cinematic and dynamic, tense and mysterious; enter a thrilling world of adventure with sweeping orchestral strings, programmed pulses, big drums, piano, choir and rapid synths,” said the composer. The album is now available to stream and license on the company’s engine, and will soon be available on all streaming platforms. See album details here.
Leroy has also recently scored the romantic comedy I LOVE YOU, TO THE MOON AND BACK, which is now available on all download and streaming platforms. From Erik Heine’s liner notes, “Via the use of flashbacks, I LOVE YOU, TO THE MOON AND BACK takes the listener back to the beginning of Lin and Wang’s relationship, and as it grows more loving, so too does the music, which begins primarily with big band jazz and slowly shifts into a lush orchestral score, reaching its romantic apex at the album’s conclusion.” The jazz band portion of the score was recorded in New York at The Bunker Studio and the orchestra was performed by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, said Leroy. Featured soloists include Kristin Naigus on orchestral woodwinds, Avery Bright on violin, Giovana Clayton on cello, Aaron Kaplan on guitar and Xu Yao Zhu on harmonica.
Hollywood Records releases BAD SISTERS Season 2 (Apple Original Series Soundtrack), featuring music from the beautifully haunting voice of PJ Harvey and composer Tim Phillips. Season 2 of the drama from Emmy Award-nominated and BAFTA Award winning creator and star Sharon Horgan premiered November 13 on Apple TV+. Remarks Harvey, “It was a huge pleasure to be invited to step into the studio again with Tim Phillips to create the soundtrack for BAD SISTERS Season 2. Having formed friendships with Tim and Sharon on season 1, there was a level of trust and openness which was conducive to creativity. Phillips shares, “I think audiences will love where this story goes next. It was a thrill to get back into the studio with Polly Harvey and make some new sounds, and the fact that most of the original production team returned made it even better!” Soundtrack available from SPOTIFY | AMAZON MUSIC | APPLE MUSIC
Watch the Trailer:
Freddie Wiedmann (STAR TREK: PICARD, BIG NATE, THE DRAGON PRINCE, DOOM 2, OCCUPATION RAINFALL) has composed the final episode of the animated fantasy series, THE DRAGON PRINCE: NOVA. As the series’ final battle reaches its climax, Callum chooses to embrace his destiny. Claudia’s interference forces Rayla to make a heart-wrenching decision. THE DRAGON PRINCE, known as THE DRAGON PRINCE: MYSTERY OF AARAVOS from the fourth season onward. The seventh and final season premiered on December 19, 2024, concluding the second saga and the series. The series has earned critical acclaim for its story, themes, vocal performances, animation, and humor. Notes Wiedmann: “Scoring THE DRAGON PRINCE has been an absolute highlight for me, starting from Season 1 many years ago to now Season 7. Needless to say, a lot has happened to our beloved characters and their lives in Xadia. Designing the musical score around these events, through the moments filled with levity and laughter, to the most heartbreaking and tragic storylines, was a great challenge. Working on a show like this one for an extended period of time provides a phenomenal canvas for me as a composer to really develop thematic material to its fullest, which is a true joy. In these last 2 seasons, I think you will hear the most threatening version of the Aaravos theme, the most beautiful version of Rayla’s melody, and the most badass music for young King Ezran.” Purchase / Stream
Listen to the Season 7 trailer:
From A24 comes HERETIC, a horror film directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, and scored by Chris Bacon. Film stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East, and follows two missionaries who attempt to convert a reclusive Englishman, only to realize he is more dangerous than he seems; trapped in his home, they must turn to their faith if they want to make it out alive. “A Clever Twist on Holy Horror” writes IGN. Watch the trailer:
RED ONE (score by Henry Jackman) was released by Sony Classical: After Santa Claus (code name: Red One) is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas. Other stars of note include Lucy Liu (Zoe), J.K. Simmons (Nick), Bonnie Hunt (Mrs. Claus), Kristopfer Hivbju (Krampus), and Kiernan Shipka (Gryla). Merry Merry!
Watch the film’s trailer:
Netflix Music releases JOY by Steven Price, for the drama based on real events. JOY is directed by Ben Taylor and stars Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton, and Bill Nighy. Synopsis: In 1978, Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first test-tube baby, was born. The film recounts the arduous efforts that made this historic milestone possible from the point of view of Jean Purdy, the young nurse and embryologist who worked with scientist Robert Edwards and surgeon Patrick Steptoe to win the battle against infertility with in vitro fertilization (IVF). These three trailblazers face opposition from the church, state, media, and medical establishment in their pursuit of the world's first “test tube baby,” Louise Joy Brown. The album is available for digital download on Amazon/Apple Music.
Watch the Trailer:
Lakeshore Records is set to release FIGHT NIGHT: THE MILLION DOLLAR HEIST Original Series Soundtrack featuring a score by Scott Bomar. The score is both an homage to the classic soundtracks from the 60’s and 70’s by Isaac Hayes and Quincy Jones as well as a muscular and menacing backdrop to the dramatic series. Starring Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle and Terence Howard, FIGHT NIGHT is currently streaming on Peacock. The film is based on the acclaimed iHeart true-crime podcast about the infamous story of how an armed robbery on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but ultimately transformed Atlanta into the “Black Mecca.” When a hustler named Chicken Man (Kevin Hart) hosts an afterparty to celebrate the fight with a guest list of the country’s wealthiest, the night ends with the most brazen criminal underworld heist in Atlanta’s history. Suspected of masterminding the crime, Chicken Man is hellbent on clearing his name but must convince his old adversary, J.D. Hudson (Don Cheadle), one of the first Black detectives in the city’s desegregated police force, who is tasked with bringing those responsible to justice. Purchase/Stream.
Timothy Williams brings his powerful score to life with the release of the Original Film Soundtrack MARY, now available on all digital platforms. Known for his compositions in films like PEARL, BRIGHTBURN, and AGENT ELVIS, Williams’ score amplifies his signature cinematic style. The soundtrack is a captivating experience that underscores the high-stakes journey of Mary, King Herod, and the pursuit of a newborn that could threaten the throne. MARY began streaming on Netflix on December 6. Timothy notes: “I wanted the musical language of Mary to feel both ancient and modern, and different than expected. I was so grateful that director D.J. Caruso agreed with this experimental approach and encouraged trying to create an original backdrop for this timeless story. The soundtrack is made up of authentical period instruments, including the shofar, the Roman Carynx, and blown shells, as well as modern synths, ancient lyre, and stringed instruments – also electric violin through looping stations, period and modern percussion and a beautiful lead vocal by Julie Elven.”
Königskinder Music releases SEPTEMBER 5 (Original Soundtrack) with music from composer Lorenz Dangel. The score is a masterclass in subtlety and emotional depth, designed to serve as an integral part of the film's narrative. The 16-track album is now available to stream on digital platforms, with the film releasing nationwide on January 17. On the score, Dangel reflects, “Pace is one of the key elements of the score to SEPTEMBER 5. I experimented with an ever-changing combination of different musical elements to keep the tension up and yet never produce a feeling of stability. SEPTEMBER 5 is not only a nail-biting thriller but also raises crucial questions about how we gain and report information in extreme situations. It’s a huge honor to be part of this outstanding team.” ABOUT SEPTEMBER 5: Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows an American sports broadcasting team that quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of a hostage situation. This decisive moment changed media coverage forever and continues to impact live news today. Soundtrack available here.
Hope sounds sparkling and love feather-light in Ruben De Gheselle's sweet, gentle score for Anthony Schatteman’s feature debut, which captures both young and old(er) hearts around the world.
YOUNG HEARTS’ tells the story of Elias (14), who is attracted to his new neighbor Alexander (14). Soon he realizes he is truly in love for the first time. Confrontations with his friends and family bring more questions than answers. With YOUNG HEARTS, director Anthony Schatteman has made a film that he himself would have liked to have seen when he was young, but did not exist at the time. The film feels personal and the director based many of the characters on his own family. His hometown even became an idyllic film set. But YOUNG HEARTS is certainly also a universal story about first love. Schatteman previously explored this theme in his short films, he also has several TV series to his credit, including the Irish-Belgian co-production NORTHERN LIGHTS, for which De Gheselle also composed the score. YOUNG HEARTS comes via MovieScore Media and is available from these sources.
Second Chance Productions has unleashed the animated adventure GRACIE & PEDRO: PETS TO THE RESCUE. Featuring the stellar voice cast of Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon, Academy Award® nominee Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields, Danny Trejo, Alicia Silverstone, and Al Franken, GRACIE & PEDRO: PETS TO THE RESCUE takes audiences on a journey packed with mischief, humor, and heart, reminding us that friendship isn't just life’s greatest reward – it’s the ultimate adventure. Music by Deon van Heerden. The film follows a pampered show dog and a street-smart alley cat who embark on a thrilling journey to find their family after being separated during a cross-country move.
Lakeshore Records has released BONHOEFFER: PASTOR. SPY. ASSASSIN – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally, featuring music by composers Antonio Pinto (CITY OF GOD), and Gabriel Ferreira (PELE). The striking score utilizes unique instrumentation that underscore the emotional themes of the story that pits faith against a darker call to action – a bandolim [aka baldolin] plays during thrilling spy scenes and percussive cellos represent the threat of the Nazis. The film directed by Todd Komarnicki and starring Jonas Dassler is in theaters now. As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler. With his faith and fate at stake, Bonhoeffer must choose between upholding his moral convictions or risking it all to save millions of Jews from genocide. Notes Pinto: “The Bonhoeffer soundtrack aims to guide the viewer through Dietrich’s journey to find his true calling with a mix of emotional orchestra and thrilling weird sounds. The score highlights both his love and devotion to family and God, and the terrors faced during the war.” Purchase/Stream.
Watch the gripping trailer, here:
Walt Disney Records has released the soundtrack from OUT OF MY MIND, now streaming exclusively on Disney + and starring Judith Light, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jennifer Aniston. The soundtrack features four original songs and score written and composed by Grammy®-nominated singer, songwriter and producer Linda Perry. The OUT OF MY MIND soundtrack is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other digital platforms. The film follows Melody Brooks, who is navigating sixth grade as a nonverbal wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy. With the help of some assistive technology and her devoted allies, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it. Perry comments, “OUT OF MY MIND tells a different story of a teenager coming of age. It’s a powerful story about the challenges of a young girl who simply wants to learn like all the other kids. Working on this film was inspiring. I wanted the music to be a voice for Melody. I’m really proud of the score I created. Everyone did such an amazing job, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it.”
Watch a trailer for this moving and beautiful film:
Walt Disney Records has also released the original soundtrack for the hit new series, Disney Pixar’s DREAM PRODUCTIONS, now streaming on Disney+. The original score was written by award-winning composer Nami Melumad, and is also available in Dolby® Atmos. On the score, Nami says “Scoring DREAM PRODUCTIONS was an opportunity to evoke the lasting emotional impressions of dreams through music. Collaborating with Pixar’s visionary filmmakers, we crafted a score that blended genres like funk, soul, jazz, and fusion to match the dynamic dreamscapes of the series. Using a unique ensemble featuring a Hammond B3 organ, I reflected the diverse moods of the show, from the lighthearted, energetic flair of the film studio sequences to thrilling nightmares and heartfelt moments. Creating this score became a core memory for me, highlighting the powerful synergy between music, storytelling, and the creative team that made it all possible.” Spotify/Apple Music/Amazon Music.
Lakeshore Records has released TULSA KING Seasons 1-2 original digital soundtrack, featuring music by composers Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans (NIGHT SKY, BOY ERASED, TOKYO VICE, A MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD, BIOSPHERE). Their striking score echoes throughout and accentuates the hit drama with a modern and menacing twang. The first and second seasons of the original series stars Sylvester Stallone and are streaming now on Paramount+. Note Bensi & Jurriaans: “The score for Tulsa King was a great opportunity to for us to explore music that we don’t often get to make for film and television. It blends modern orchestral and electronic elements with subtle, Western-inspired motifs often played on blues or rock instruments. It reflects the show’s blend of urban crime drama, the rugged, open landscapes of Tulsa, and also its wry humor.” Purchase/Stream the EP.
Composer Jon Ekstrand (MORBIUS, LIFE, QUEEN O’HEARTS, MADMADE LUNA) has scored the first season of the The Helicopter Heist (Helikopterrånet original title). The series is a reality-based and character-driven suspense series in eight parts about the drama behind one of the most spectacular heists in history, a grand and fast paced Icarus tale about winning, or losing, it all. It occurred one early September morning in 2009, as eyes from around the world turn to an inconspicuous Stockholm suburb. A helicopter has landed on the roof of the country's safest cash depot, and the police can only watch as the robbers disappear along with several million dollars. Not a single shot is fired. The film debuted in Sweden on November 15th, with releases across the globe in November 22nd, including the US.
Listen to the track “Go Go Go” via YouTube:
Lakeshore Records has released HOMESTEAD – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally featuring music by composer Benjamin Backus. The taught, angular orchestrations reflect the ominous tension of the post-apocalyptic film. A nuclear bomb is detonated in Los Angeles, and the nation devolves into unprecedented chaos. Ex-Green Beret Jeff Eriksson and his family escape to The Homestead, an eccentric prepper’s fortress nestled in the mountains. As violent threats and apocalyptic conditions creep toward their borders, the residents of The Homestead are left to wonder: how long can a group of people resist both the dangers of human nature and the bloodshed at their doorstep? Purchase/Stream.
Walt Disney Records has also released MUFASA: THE LION KING (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Deluxe Edition, featuring a score from composer Dave Metzger, who reflects on the score: “When I was called to compose the score for MUFASA: THE LION KING, it felt like the perfect fit for me. I’ve lived in the world of THE LION KING for almost 30 years, and it has become a part of my DNA. But director Barry Jenkins also wanted the film and score to have its own identity, so I had the amazing opportunity to experience the best of both worlds: capturing the magic of the original film, but adding my own spirit and soul to this exciting new origin tale.” The film’s original songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and produced by Miranda and Mark Mancina, with additional music and performances by Lebo M.
Soundtrack available at Spotify and other sources.
Hollywood Records announces the release of NIGHTBITCH (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), featuring a hauntingly original score as well as an otherworldly ethereal end credit song by composer NateHeller and captivating vocals from King Isis. NIGHTBITCH is an exhilarating and unsettling journey into motherhood, identity, and surreal transformation. The album’s score is a deeply personal and collaborative creation that captures the film’s complex emotional landscape – both delicate and disorienting – reflecting the existential metamorphosis of its protagonist (Amy Adams) through evocative melodies, eerie textures, and surprising moments of whimsy. Heller, whose personal connection to the project runs deep, crafts a unique soundscape that draws on his longstanding creative relationship with his sister, NIGHTBITCH director Marielle Heller. Nate reflects on the score: “When my sister Mari sent me an early draft of NIGHTBITCH during lockdown, I was immediately inspired, writing a demo called ‘Silver Moon’ that became the foundation for the score. As we continued working on the music, we wanted it to feel unsettling yet delicate, complex but endearing. The score really took shape through live performances, with King Isis contributing her voice to complement the character arc.” In NIGHTBITCH, a woman (Adams) pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mom, but soon her new domesticity takes a surreal turn. The film opened in theaters on December 6, 2024, and will stream on Hulu starting December 27, 2024. Soundtrack available at Apple Music and other sources.
Walt Disney Records has released MOANA 2 Deluxe Soundtrack, featuring a stunning score by Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina. Known for his work on the original MOANA as well as THE LION KING, SPEED, and TARZAN, Mancina’s dynamic, emotional compositions are at the heart of the film’s sweeping musical landscape. MOANA 2 marks Mancina's return to the world of Oceania, alongside Grammy® Award-winning songwriters Barlow & Bear, and Billboard Music Award-and American Music Award-winning songwriter and composer Opetaia Foa‘i, who also returned for the sequel. ABOUT MOANA 2: Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical MOANA 2 reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her way-finding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
The soundtrack is now available from Spotify and other sources.
Lakeshore Records has released CROSS – Prime Video Original Series Soundtrack digitally, featuring music by Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge (both known for Marvel’s LUKE CAGE, THE EQUALIZER, REASONABLE DOUBT, SUGAR, and others). The darkly hued beat-driven score provides a vividly ominous backdrop to the crime thriller series based upon the characters from James Patterson’s best-selling Alex Cross book series. From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, CROSS, starring Aldis Hodge, is streaming now on Prime Video in more than 240 countries worldwide. Alex Cross is a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify – and ultimately capture – the murderers. Notes Younge: “The CROSS score was an amazing experience for us as we were allowed to be true artisans, creating the sonic landscape for the show. I mean…how many times do composers get a chance to create funky, cinematic, and soulful music for thrillers featuring black leads? We are grateful for the experience and hope the fans enjoy the show.” Adds Shaheed Muhammad: “Scoring CROSS was as thrilling a journey as the series itself. Ben encouraged Adrian and me to explore boundless creative freedom, and we dug ourselves in the music with the same passion as when digging through record crates—each note layered to reflect the depth of the story. We hope crime thriller enthusiasts feel every twist and turn as vividly as we did.” Purchase/ Stream.
Diego Navarro has composed the music for SUPERKLAUS, a new holiday movie in which Santa Claus’ own wish comes true when he accidentally bumps his head and starts believing he’s SuperKlaus. With the help of Billie and Leo, his elf-xecutive assistant, SuperKlaus will take on a toy-obsessed businessman to save Christmas. Leigh Phillips, versatile composer, orchestrator, arranger, and producer, Phillips provided additional composing on SUPERKLAUS. “Having not really composed any original material for about 20 years, the prospect of suddenly jumping back into writing was a bit daunting,” Phillips wrote on his website. “However, as Diego had developed such strong main themes and established a clear tone for the movie, it provided a really great way ‘in’ to the score and the story. In the end, the whole project proved to be a personal highlight…an opportunity to flex the dramatic chops and write some good old-school orchestral music for action, adventure, villains, family, and Christmas!” The score was recorded at Smecky Studios in Prague, Czechoslovakia, performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The movie was released on December 5, and Diego’s soundtrack album on December 6 (from Movie Score Media).
ON CALL is an adrenalized visceral police drama that follows a rookie and veteran officer duo as they go on patrol in Lon Beach, California. Shot with a mixture of hand0-held cameras, bodycam and dash-cam footage to create a Cinéma vérité effect, the innovative series explores the morality of protective and serving a community. The series stars Troian Bellisario (PRETTY LITTLE LIARS) as hard charging but protective veteran officer Traci Harmon, who struggled to find her place in the department, while training the next generation of officers. Brendon Larracuente (THE GOOD DOCTOR) stars as “Alex Diaz,” an ambitious rookie who grabbled with holding onto his optimistic outloo0k as he realized the challenged he'll face in today’s climate. Atli Örvarsson (SILO, FBI, HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD, JACOB'S LADDER, HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS) provided the series musical score.
Watch the ON CALL Trailer:
Lakeshore Records’s Original Soundtrack for the remake of THE DAY OF THE JACKAL, based on the 1971 classic thriller novel by Frederick Forsyth, subsequently adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Edward Fox, which was nominated for a host of awards and soon became a classic of the genre. The new film features an original score by Oscar and BAFTA Award-winning composer Volker Bertelmann (THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, AMMONITE). Bertelmann keeps the orchestra taught and angular in his score and maintains a dark tension throughout. Notes Bertelmann: “Working on such a great thriller series and collaborating with Brian Kirk and all the other directors on the show was a pleasure and a wonderful experience.” The film follows an elite assassin, The Jackal (Eddie Redmayne) as he works towards carrying out a seemingly impossible hit. However, his actions soon attract the attention of a British intelligence officer, Bianca (Lashana Lynch), who sets out to hunt him down before his next kill. The film’s ten-episode drama opened in the US on November 14th, on Peacock. Soundtrack is available here.
Watch the film trailer:
Bertelmann also scored the DUNE: PROPHECY Soundtrack from the HBO® Original Series - Volume 1. The soundtrack is available now on digital platforms. The series is streaming on MAX, with new episodes every Sunday. Bertelmann notes, “I had so much fun working on this prolific show, with its diverse locations and layers of conspiracy. Composing music for a story like this involves big themes, intense emotions, and action-packed moments—all of which I loved bringing to life.” From the expansive universe of DUNE, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, takes place 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides; DUNE: PROPHECY follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit. DUNE: PROPHECY is inspired by the novel SISTERHOOD OF DUNE, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
Volume 2 from DUNE: PROPHECY soundtrack is also now available on digital platforms, with the series completing its airing on HBO and streaming on MAX.
Listen to a track from DUNE: PROPHECY, via YouTube:
Kronos Records offers two horror soundtracks: Bert Shefter´s NO ESCAPE and Ronald Stein´s THE SHE-CREATURE. Both CDs are World Premiere Releases, previously unreleased in any format and limited to 300 copies. Expected in early 2025. See Kronos for details.
THE FRANCHISE (La franquicia), is a 2024 satirical comedy television series created by Jon Brown, and premiered on HBO on October 6, 2024. It depicts a behind-the-scenes look at a film that's part of a larger superhero film franchise. The soundtrack features music by Jeff Cardoni, with a main theme written by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross. The series follows a team trapped inside the dysfunctional hell of creating franchise superhero movies. Daniel, the first assistant director, deals with the day-to-day problems working on Tecto: Eye of the Storm, which is a minor film in the franchise compared to the higher priority “team-up” film, Centurios 2. At the end of the day the question they face: is this Hollywood’s new dawn or cinema’s last stand? Is this a dream factory or a chemical plant? The soundtrack album is available from Amazon and other retailers.
Lakeshore Records has released NICKEL BOYS – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally, featuring an original score by composers Alex Somers and Scott Alario. The ethereal and often dissonant sound of the score augments the intense storyline and striking stylistic elements of the movie based on Colson Whitehead’s novel The Nickel Boys. Directed by RaMell Ross and starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Ethan Herisse, and Brandon Wilson, the film chronicles the powerful friendship between two Black teenagers who become wards of a juvenile reformatory in Florida. In breakout performances that cut to the bone, Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson play Elwood and Turner, whose close bond helps sustain their hope even as truths unfold around them at the Nickel Academy. Notes composers Alario and Somers: “After twenty years of making music together, working on Nickel Boys felt like the perfect moment. RaMell Ross’s vision was powerful, and I’m grateful we could contribute to it. From our creative process in Alex’s LA studio to field recordings in New Orleans on the film set, the music came together organically, capturing both the beauty and the haunting weight of the story. This project reminded us how art can bring people together and create hope, even in the face of trauma.”
Hollywood Records releases the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for National Geographic Documentary Films’ critically acclaimed SUGARCANE, featuring a powerful score by celebrated musician Mali Obomsawin. The soundtrack accompanies the film’s debut on National Geographic, followed by its streaming launch on Disney+ and Hulu. Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, SUGARCANE offers a poignant portrait of a Native community confronting a dark chapter in history, drawing on the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples. Through Obomsawin's stirring compositions, the soundtrack amplifies the film’s emotional depth, shedding light on the enduring spirit of a community in the face of intergenerational trauma. ABOUT SUGARCANE: In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. After years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation, and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere. Listen on Spotify.
NY-based composer Elori Saxl’s latest work, EARTH FOCUS, is a captivating soundtrack crafted for the PBS show of the same name. This album stands as a testament to Saxl’s innovative approach to music and her ability to convey the intricate dance between nature and human impact. EARTH FOCUS (the television series) delves into the intricate connections between Southern California’s natural landscapes and urban development. Each episode explores a specific location, including the Los Angeles River, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Mojave Desert, as episodes explore the relationship between wildlands and urban infrastructure, a theme that Saxl masterfully brings to life through her music. “I wanted to highlight the emotional stories of these places,” Saxl explains. “The music had to reflect both the beauty and the complexity of human interactions with nature.” Saxl’s music underscores the emotional narratives of these places, emphasizing the interplay between humans and nature and the impact of human-constructed environments. Saxl crafted the music using digitally manipulated recordings of water and wind, analog synthesizers, MIDI samples, and processed woodwinds (clarinet, bass clarinet, flute) performed by Stuart Bogie. The music loosely references the psychedelic and dreamlike sounds often associated with Los Angeles’ past and present but with a twist, blending real and synthetic elements and foregrounding the artificiality of sample sounds as a way of reflecting the palpable sense of the landscape being constructed and increasingly precarious.
“Earth Focus continues Saxl’s exploration of sound in relation to bodies of water” - The Needle Drop
“reminds us that sometimes, the subtlest transformations offer the most monumental discoveries.” - The Quietus
“the experimental electronic composer is finding fresh ideas at the intersection of nature and technology.” - The Washington Post
Emmy-winning composer David Schweitzer provided the musical score for Netflix’s new documentary film, BUY NOW! THE SHOPPING CONSPIRACY, released Nov 20th. The docu pulls back the curtain on the world’s top brands, exposing the hidden tactics and covert strategies used to keep all of us locked in an endless cycle of buying, no matter the cost. Nic Stacey directs (known for documentary films like FIRST CONTACT: AN ALIEN ENCOUNTER, FIRST CONTACT: AN ALIEN ENCOUNTER, FIRST CONTACT: AN ALIEN ENCOUNTER, etc.); Schweitzer is known for both films, TV series, and docus such as 2024’s FIRST CONTACT: AN ALIEN ENCOUNTER, STOPPING THE STEAL, UKRAINE: ENEMY IN THE WOODS, 2023’S VJERAN TOMIC: THE SPIDER-MAN OF PARIS, and much more.
Apple TV+ unveils the trailer for the stunning nature docuseries THE SECRET LIVES OF ANIMALS, narrated by SAG Award winner Hugh Bonneville, premiered on December 18, with series music by Kyle Rodriguez (JANE, THE FAMILY STALLONE, THE DUTCHESS OF NOTHING, Eli Roth’s FIN). Rodrigues is a LatinX film composer, producer, and songwriter based in Los Angeles. Using a unique collection of bespoke instruments, toys, and tape machines, Kyle writes music that combines orchestra with modern production and analog circuits. His work can be heard on projects across networks including AppleTV+, Netflix, Hulu, Nickelodeon, and Adult Swim. The 10-part series features never-before-seen footage of rare and remarkable animal behaviors, highlighting the brilliant intelligence of the natural world. THE SECRET LIVES OF ANIMALS highlights 77 unique species in 24 countries over three years, revealing stunning, never-before-seen animal behaviors and highlighting the remarkable intelligence of the natural world. Hailing from the acclaimed BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the series debuted globally on December 18 on Apple TV+.
Watch THE SECRET LIVES OF ANIMALS trailer:
OUR OCEANS are the beating heart of our planet, yet so much remains unknown, unexplored, and undiscovered. From the tropical warm waters of the Indian Ocean, to the fiery depths of the Atlantic, the unpredictable waters of the Pacific that are surrounded by a ring of fire, to the freezing isolation of the Southern and Arctic Oceans. The planet’s lifeblood, oceans, hide countless mysteries – from balmy Indian waters and fiery Atlantic depths to the Ring of Fire-encircled Pacific and frigid Southern and Arctic seas. Discover the stories beneath the surface of the water in this stunning nature documentary series, which explores each of the Earth’s five oceans. From Netflix, Freeborne Media, and Wild Space Productions, narrated by Barack Obama, with musical score by Ho-Ling Tang, whose musical versatility, often found her working closely as an additional music writer for composer Harry Gregson-Williams. Check out her website.
See OUR OCEANS trailer:
The notable music supervisor for numerous film and television projects, Sarah Bromberg’s latest project is Hulu’s THE HONORABLE SHYNE documentary, from director Marcus A. Clarke, and the @Andscape Newsroom. The film explores Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s journey from Grammy-winning rapper to imprisoned convict, his political transition in Belize as Opposition Leader after release, exploring redemption, resilience, and personal transformation. It was Sarah’s job to curate the music for this documentary (there is no actual score) and had the added complication of having to go through Bad Boy Records during the whole Diddy controversy in order to make the documentary work. Additionally, it is now #1 on the platform after its premiere on November 18th. Sarah’s upcoming projects include the Peacock series LONG BRIGHT RIVER based on the bestselling novel, starring Amanda Seyfried, an Untitled Tri-Star buddy comedy starring Keke Palmer & SZA in addition to the third season of the acclaimed P-VALLEY and the second season of SURVIVAL OF THETHICKEST. “I always hope the music we’re placing strongly speaks the language of the project to the viewer,” she says. “We’re creatively exploring what the movie or series is saying musically. Maybe the audience discovers something new afterwards. There’s nothing better than that.”
Watch the trailer here.
The soundtrack for SECRET LEVEL is being released digitally by Milan Records in two volumes (1.1 & 1.2). The first volume dropped Friday Dec 20 and will contain approx half the episodes. The second volume will be released in the coming weeks and will contain the rest of the series. So don't despair if your favorite episode's soundtrack isn’t in Vol1.1. It'll definitely be in Vol1.2! SECRET LEVEL contains original stories set within the worlds of iconic video games, featured in this animated anthology series. Composers are Rob Cairns, Maxime Herve, 2WEI, Danny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans. The Amazon anthology series iocludes original tales from beloved games. From the creators of LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS: Secret Level season 1 on Prime Video. Adult Animated Anthology. Video Games Reimagined. Discover A New World.
Watch the SECRET LEVEL trailer here:
And here's another big vinyl release coming up with the ultimate Castlevania music collection from Materia Music: the definitive release of Castlevania music, with audio spanning from 1986-2010 including complete OSTs, newly remastered recordings, many exclusive to this box set; 46 LPs, housed in two outer boxes (Black & Red), LPs 1-23 on black vinyl, 24-43 on red vinyl; new artwork for the two outer boxes and all 46 jackets by Johnny Dombrowski; liner notes by Jeremy Parish for each game in the series; individually numbered limited edition of 500 units.
Get the soundtrack here.
Hollywood Records announces the release of MARVEL RIVALS: Galactic Tunes Original Video Game Soundtrack, featuring score composed by Masahiro Aoki and produced and arranged by Shota Nakama, now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other digital platforms. The soundtrack includes original songs “Rivals ‘Til the End (Main Theme)” performed by Adriana Figueroa, “Fate of Both Worlds,” performed by Lem`on and ‘Rivals ‘Til the End (Chrissy Version)” performed by Chrissy Costanza (lead singer of Against the Current). Constanza’s version is featured in the game trailer and digital soundtrack. MARVEL RIVALS, developed by NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel Games is the new Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter that lets players assemble an ever-evolving all-star squad of Super Heroes and Super Villains battling with unique powers across a dynamic lineup of destructible maps from across the Marvel Multiverse. Available now on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the debut season, “Dooms’ Rise” starts with a total of 33 heroes, 8 maps for Quick Match and Competitive modes, a Conquest map, and a brand-new Practice Range. MARVEL RIVALS: Galactic Tunes Original Video Game Soundtrack vinyl album is set for release on January 31, 2025 and is now available for pre-order here:
Watch the Marvel Rivals | Launch Trailer here:
Lakeshore Records announces the forthcoming vinyl edition of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY SEASONS 3 & 4 –Original Series Soundtrack on January 24 featuring original music by Emmy® Award winning composer Jeff Russo (STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, FARGO, RIPLEY), and Perrine Virgile. The 2xLP will feature one album in “White w/Black Splatter” vinyl and one with “Black w/White Splatter” vinyl as well as a full color gatefold sleeve with inserts. Geekstronomy premiered the artwork here.
Preorder the vinyl here.
Anne-Kathrin Dern, Composer and CEO at e-Quality Music Productions LLCComposer and CEO at e-Quality Music Productions LLC, reports that “Metro Awakening” is finally here! The soundtrack album with my music is coming later this month and of course I’m once again working on a lengthy “Behind The Scenes” video for my YouTube channel. A huge shoutout also needs to go to the audio team at Vertigo Games, specifically Mark Doezé whose clear vision for the music made this possible. What an absolute joy to work with! Enjoy the game and its carefully crafted audio landscape if you’re a VR gamer who can stomach some seriously scary stuff!
Turn off all the lights and enjoy the haunting music of SILENT HILL 2 Original Soundtrack 2024. The legendary composer Akira Yamaoka reworked the original soundtrack of 2001 to make it even more atmospheric, these new ambient soundscapes, industrial elements, and emotional melodies are simply perfect to evoke the events of the ghostly town of SILENT HILL... The 3 discs of SILENT HILL 2 Original Soundtrack 2024 are filled with tons of tunes that are truly an integral part of the game’s identity, like the original version, also this one will be cited as one of the best video game soundtracks of all time! The soundtrack is available from Amazon and other sources.
Lakeshore Records in partnership with Ubisoft are celebrating the digital release of AVATAR: FRONTIERS OF PANDORA—SECRET OF THE SPIRES Original Game Soundtrack featuring music by Emmy and Grammy-nominated conductor, composer and performer Pinar Toprak (CAPTAIN MARVEL, THE LOST CITY, TOMB RAIDER: THE LEGEND OF LARA CROFT, FORTNITE, SHOTGUN WEDDING). The transcendent orchestral score becomes airborne providing a soaring backdrop to the epic aerial battles in the Spires of the Clouded Forest in the second DLC to the Ubisoft game. Following the release of the main game, Pinar Toprak has been nominated for “Best Score Soundtrack for a Video Game” at the 2025 Grammy· Awards with the Original Game Soundtrack. SECRET OF THE SPIRES—AVATAR: FRONTIERS OF PANDORA’s second story pack, was released on November 28th. Explore and discover a fresh open world, built to elevate the thrill of flying on your banshee! Sabotage RDA aerial convoys with new banshee skills and a brand-new mounted weapon. Meet a secluded Na’vi clan and join them in their fight against a new RDA threat ravaging the Spires region. Get lost in the verticality of this new region, filled with canyons and caves, where unexpected dangers lurk in the shadows. Stream / Purchase the Album here.
Milan Records has released FROSTPUNK 2 (Original Game Soundtrack) This is the sequel to the highly acclaimed, BAFTA-nominated society survival game. In FROSTPUNK 2, the age of steam has passed and now, oil leads the way as humanity’s newest salvation. However, with new threats on the horizon, the future of the city looks even grimmer than before. The vinyl album is pressed on opaque gold vinyl with black splatter, credit insert and a single-pocket jacket. The music is by composer Piotr Musia? ….
Available Here.
Join the ranks of Super Earth’s finest with the official HELLDIVERS 2 (Original Game Soundtrack) vinyl, composed by Wilbert Roget, II and additional music by Ross Tregenza. This explosive score captures the chaos, camaraderie, and relentless drive of the Helldivers as they bring democracy to the galaxy! Pressed on a translucent yellowvinyl, this vinyl is a must-have for fans of the game and Wilbert’s incredible music. See more details here.
Walt Disney Records announces the release of the INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE™ Original Video Game Soundtrack, featuring a score by award-winning composer Gordy Haab. The soundtrack is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other digital platforms. Haab comments, “Nearly 20 years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to write my very first video game score -- for none other than Indiana Jones™. So, returning to compose the score for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels like coming full circle in the truest sense. This score represents not only a significant achievement in my career but also a personal milestone. I’m thrilled for listeners to join me on this brand-new musical journey and to once again be part of Indy’s epic adventure!” Recorded by a full orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, Haab’s captures the essence of the iconic score from the films. INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE™, developed by MachineGames in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, released on December 9 on Xbox Series X|S consoles, PC, and Game Pass. Early access is available through the Premium Edition and Collector’s Edition.
Watch the games trailer:
Halo Studios and Laced Records have teamed up to bring the iconic music of the original HALO trilogy to vinyl for the first time. The HALO Original Trilogy Soundtrack Collection Limited Edition vinyl box set is now available to pre-order from www.lacedrecords.com. 83 tracks from HALO: Combat Evolved, HALO 2 and HALO 3 have been specially remastered for vinyl and will be pressed onto eight heavyweight, galaxy-effect LPs. Each game soundtrack will be housed in a wide-spined outer sleeve with printed inner sleeves. In turn, these will be contained in a collector’s rigid board box with silver laminate wrap and debossed HALO logo. Separate sets for HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED (double LP), Halo 2 (triple LP) and Halo 3 (triple LP) are also available as Limited Edition, galaxy-effect vinyl sets from the Laced store; with traditional black vinyl versions of the box set and separate sets available from third-party retailers soon. HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED was the quintessential console first-person shooter and its soundtrack laid the foundation for the franchise’s legendary sounds. Taking inspiration from various genres, the score combines sweeping orchestral cues with marching military snares, prog-rock percussion, and who can forget the Gregorian Monk chant? For HALO 2, the composers joined forces with A-list musicians, giving the HALO theme a heavy metal makeover with the new “Mjolnir Mix”. It was the first video game soundtrack to enter the Billboard 200. HALO 3 featured tribal drums and prog-rock refrains while piano melodies alongside a 60-piece orchestra and 24-voice choir brought emotional depth to the soundtrack.
THE HALO Original Trilogy Soundtrack Collection Limited Edition vinyl box set, and separate Limited Edition sets for HALO: Combat Evolved, HALO 2, and HALO 3 can be pre-ordered now: USA and Canada:
Rest of world excluding USA, Brazil & Russia
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Randall D. Larson was for many years publisher of CinemaScore: The Film Music Journal, senior editor for Soundtrack Magazine, and a film music columnist for Cinefantastique magazine. A specialist on horror film music, he is the author of Musique Fantastique: 100+ Years of Fantasy, Science Fiction & Horror Film Music and Music from the House of Hammer. He currently writes essays on film music and sf/horror cinema, and has written liner notes more than 300 soundtrack CD or digital releases. He can be contacted via https://musiquefantastique.com/ or follow Musique Fantastique on Facebook. Follow Randall on Twitter at https://twitter.com/randalldlarson and https://twitter.com/MusiqueFantast1
