Music plays a pivotal role in setting the tone for a movie. From original scores to ‘80s throwbacks, here are some movie soundtracks from 2017 that you shouldn’t overlook.
Story by Francie Zenner
“Baby Driver”
Photo courtesy of rogerebert.com
Imagine breaking into the cars of 30 different people, stealing their iPods and compiling a master playlist of all their songs. That is pretty much what Edgar Wright did in the crime thriller “Baby Driver.” With everything from The Beach Boys, to Queen, to Young MC, this movie’s soundtrack literally sets the motion for the entire movie. The artfully and strategically-curated soundtrack is seamlessly synced with the action and narrative of the film. The action is perfectly choreographed to the music, making it a must-see thriller for any angsty music-lovers.
“Good Time”
Photo courtesy of A24
The score for the Safdie brothers’ critically acclaimed film, “Good Time,” is unlike any motion picture soundtrack you have heard. The 13 dark and textured electronic tracks, created by Oneohtrix Point Never, are guaranteed to invoke a sense of discomposure and sensory overload. Listening to this award-winning soundtrack is an otherworldly experience, proving how important music is in molding the movie experience.
“I Am Not Your Negro”
Photo courtesy of nofilmschool.com
This incredibly impactful documentary about race relations in the United States is accompanied by an original jazz score by Alexei Aigui. All 21 tracks are beautifully-composed and help contribute to the story within the film. Kendrick Lamar’s critically-acclaimed album “The Blacker the Berry” also plays during the credits at the end of the film.
“Residenté”
Photo courtesy of britesmag.com
Although you might not have seen this film in the box office, “Residenté” deserves acknowledgement. This documentary, soundtrack and Puerto Rican musician behind the project all fall under the same name: Residenté. After taking a DNA test, Residenté was inspired to travel around the world to get in touch with his roots and document the entire journey. He collaborated with other musicians along his two-year expedition, resulting in 13 sonically diverse tracks, each representative of his cultural identity.
“Call Me By Your Name”
Photo courtesy of filmschoolrejects.com
Although this popular romance film has yet to be released in a majority of theaters across America, the film’s soundtrack has already earned the limelight. Director Luca Guadagnino sought to tell the compelling narrative of “Call Me By Your Name” not only with actors, but also through music. Along with two new songs from Sufjan Stevens, the film’s dynamic soundtrack also includes a mix of European-influenced classical compositions and ‘80s tracks.
“Stranger Things 2”
Photo courtesy of theodysseyonline.com
Although “Stranger Things 2” does not fall under the category of movies, this Netflix original series’ killer soundtrack deserves recognition. The cinematic score created by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein fits right in with the familiar synth sounds from your favorite ‘80s sci-fi films. As if this intensifying score did not bring enough nostalgia, the soundtrack also includes dozens of songs your parents probably jammed out to on their walkmans. Queen, The Police, Billie Holiday and Metallica are a few of the many iconic artists heard throughout the show. Read ORANGE Magazine’s in-depth analysis of the soundtrack here.
2017 was a great year for music in film and television, introducing many to their new favorite songs. ORANGE can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store.
