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Music has been re-listened to. Rankings have been fiddled with. It’s time to count down my favourite film tracks of 2020. (You can find last year’s edition here: https://twitter.com/awarmann/status/1212734494362484736?s=20)
I’m keeping it to 15 tracks this year, but my rules remain the same: Only films released in the UK in 2020 are eligible, and only one track per soundtrack / score is allowed. So, without further ado…
15. ‘Joining the Team’ by John Powell, from The Call of the Wild. I like the folksy stylings in this score, and the blend of guitars, banjos, and other instruments is especially delightful in this track. Love the change in tone and speed too! https://open.spotify.com/track/0UAr0UvhXHvwZrSyHWREgF?si=jbo9lxgVQQq_Q07NxYf71A
14. ‘Infinite Love’ by @emilemosseri, from Kajillionaire.
The ethereal vocals make this the most entrancing rendition of the excellent ‘Love Theme’ established early on. A perfect fit for Kajillionaire’s quirky world. https://open.spotify.com/track/6SIUbcqmVn4zTVDLeY5mMC?si=h1C2aCBYR7yL9EkjQcCC7g
The ethereal vocals make this the most entrancing rendition of the excellent ‘Love Theme’ established early on. A perfect fit for Kajillionaire’s quirky world. https://open.spotify.com/track/6SIUbcqmVn4zTVDLeY5mMC?si=h1C2aCBYR7yL9EkjQcCC7g
For more on this score, check out my fun chat with Mosseri on @Composer_Mag. Also... start getting excited about his work on Minari. It's superb. https://composer.spitfireaudio.com/en/articles/emile-mosseri-on-the-music-of-kajillionaire
13. ‘London Arrival’ by @DANIELPEMBERTON, from Enola Holmes. Of all the many memorable themes in this score, this hummable jaunt is my favourite. Only gets better when harmonised. https://open.spotify.com/track/2cQlopWVlFNK5vPFp6rI0p?si=qPmaQc-kT9yna6arXL71wg
12. ‘Pickle Your Fancy’ by @namicomposer and @m_giacchino, from An American Pickle. People have been sleeping on this score, but it's GREAT. Especially love the big brass refrain at the end of this energetic track. https://open.spotify.com/track/0VYPHj16QZeCXMKVYzmHW7?si=FlQLT59xTgyXHWO2iWS_sg
For more on this score, here's my chat with @namicomposer. One to keep an eye on, methinks! #AnAmericanPickle https://composer.spitfireaudio.com/en/articles/nami-melumad-on-scoring-an-american-pickle
11. ‘Epiphany’ by @trent_reznor and Atticus Ross, from Soul.
This is a big moment in the film and the music could’ve easily been bombastic, but this goes the other way and is all the better for it. Peaceful stuff. https://open.spotify.com/track/1q1T0TbFO2fWkDmgCKwTB0?si=XyWqvTXvQUCtuR-gWTKatQ
This is a big moment in the film and the music could’ve easily been bombastic, but this goes the other way and is all the better for it. Peaceful stuff. https://open.spotify.com/track/1q1T0TbFO2fWkDmgCKwTB0?si=XyWqvTXvQUCtuR-gWTKatQ
10. ‘FOILS’ by @ludwiggoransson, from Tenet. Stepping into Hans Zimmer’s shoes is no easy thing, but Ludwig delivered the goods. This percussion-less track has some nice interplay between its strings, guitars, and synths. Simple, but satisfying. https://open.spotify.com/track/4ZT5vcmGejiaDvIH9AAIME?si=lHYBRh1RTSasFdgsA9jp1A
9. ‘David’s Writings’ by Christopher Willis, from The Personal History of David Copperfield. I love how this one gradually builds, adding a cello and harp to strings that slowly become more prevalent. Great stuff. https://open.spotify.com/track/4Q0VPrw0jgRB7onKAtRnFG?si=CwktcYEXTQeFEUUpjwY2HA
8. ‘The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn’ by @DANIELPEMBERTON, from Birds of Prey. Harley Quinn demanded a theme to match her uniqueness. That means a kickass electric guitar and operatic vocals. It works a treat. https://open.spotify.com/track/3OtxZ98UL8d5caansgpcJZ?si=fWKe-9D2TOqrgg2a4gyuUg
7. ‘The Night Window’ by Thomas Newman, from 1917. This one starts quietly before going BIG with strings, drum rolls, and powerful brass. Newman is in his element here. https://open.spotify.com/track/4imfe6DeUeqtUpKqS851mO?si=dc-Pq03tQauUSilZRtOHAA
Thomas Newman has 15(!) Oscar nominations, and he hasn’t won once. He is due some Roger Deakins-esque we’re-sorry-we-haven’t-given-you-this-already awards love before he’s done.
6. ‘Way Back When’ by @trent_reznor and Atticus Ross, from Mank. There’s a lot of great music in this score, but I really love this light and classy track. Perfectly evokes the period, while being super catchy. https://open.spotify.com/track/0XhTV7VRPxAfNKW3u5YuqS?si=UJ9rhWYvR6yDE3OFlgZ7og
Shoutout to 'A Fool's Paradise', which makes excellent use of a typewriter. Also, here's a good thread on Mank's score. https://twitter.com/NetflixFilm/status/1339332045831503873?s=20
