Juno Recommends Soundtracks November 2022

Review:  As part of Trunk Records' Soundtracks reissues series, comes the vinyl debut of James Bernard's OST for 'The Devil Rides Out', a rather corny yet no less enjoyable gothic horror classic film from the late 60s. Directed by Terence Fisher, the film centres on the macabre antics of an underground group of Satanists. Fittingly, the soundtrack is immediate, full of tribal drumming and stern, expressionistic string zaps; its pieces have titles like 'Orgy Of Evil' and 'Hidden Sacrifice'. You were warned.

Review: There can be few nostalgia trips as potent as that of Stranger Things. The hit Netflix series knows exactly what buttons to press for kids of the 80s to get all misty-eyed, and their music curation is a big part of that process. With no expense spared on the licensing front, this collection draws for a dizzying array of big hitters, including firm classics from KISS, Talking Heads, Kate Bush, The Cramps, Musical Youth and so very many more. If you love the show, or if you simply love great music from the 80s, there's a lot for you to savour on this soundtrack for the fourth season of the show.

Review: It's a film etched on the memory of every child of the 80s, and a huge part of that is the music involved. Dirty Dancing has plenty of iconic moments, but none as iconic as 'that' scene set to Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes' '(I've Had) The Time Of My Life'. As such, it makes sense to open the soundtrack to the romantic classic with that song, setting the nostalgia off from the get-go and taking you back through every swooning moment between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. This special 35th anniversary edition of the soundtrack comes on a special custom-shaped picture disc - a true collector's edition.

Review: Sofie Birch is Denmark's answer to enviro-ambient music, and here comes 'Holotropica', her latest foraging foray into the fantastical. - "I imagine Holotropica as a place - where nothing happens and everything is", goes Birch's introduction to the album. Far from conveying a soundscape in which nothing happens, however, the songs bookended by 'Observatory' and 'The Sun XiX' convey a sort of mega organic electronic world in which lots of things do happen, albeit very slowly. A serene, clean and temperate album; a blissful sanctuary for the hurt.

Review: Whether you're reading this and thinking Christmas seems a way off, or here because there's a next day delivery and time is ticking, A Charlie Brown Christmas is quite possibly one of the most exquisite scores to the silly season you're likely to come across. Better yet, it's a complete curveball, with this Peanuts cartoon score hardly topping the list when it comes to famous Yuletide music.

Sophisticated stuff, imagine slow drinks in a late night jazz bar. Surprisingly sexy, refined, laidback to the point where you can almost see flames dancing in a fireplace, and shadows licking at the walls. Of course, we do get 'Hark, The Herald Angels Sing' and 'Christmas Time Is Here', taking us back to the best parts of school age winters gone by, both delivered via vocal choirs. But, overall, this is a truly tasteful example of how to do festive well.

Review: For most Star Wars fans, the spin-off series' and standalone films have been some of the best additions to the franchise. Now you can savour some of the excellent soundtrack work from those additions to the canon on one classily presented compilation. There are pieces from The Madalorian, Rogue One and Solo which will plunge you back into the expanded Star Wars universe, whether that's the good times with Grogu or tense missions with Jyn Erso you're reminded of. Presented in a gatefold sleeve and pressed onto 180 gram vinyl, this is a collectors' edition, no doubt about it.

Review: Music Box Records continues to chart some of the greatest French film soundtracks to hit the screens. 'Mort d'un pourri (Death Of A Corrupt Man)' is truly as thrilling as it sounds, conforming to the old but gold trope of a lone man fighting against a shadowy organisation that is trying to stop him (think The Prisoner, The Parallax View, Dark Waters). Philippe Sarde and Edouard Dubois' impeccable score nails our expectations for the genre, bringing an extra solitary wistfulness to film noir through the media of saxophone (courtesy of Stan Getz) and largely stringed contributions by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Review: Venice: Infinitely Avant-Garde is a documentary which celebrates the unique history, culture and qualities of one of the most iconic cities in the world. To match the high art which spills out of the subject matter, the film's producers turned to Polish pianist, composer and singer Hania Rani. Her playing style is minimal and delicate, and she drew upon extended visits and explorations of Venice and its museums to create a fitting accompaniment to the film. Whether you have seen the film or not, this is a compelling collection of piano pieces with subtle modern touches which speak to Rani's accomplished career to date.

Review: Formed in 1989, Japanese alternative rockers The Pillows would almost definitely have far more global fame if there wasn't this disconnect between their country's renowned music scene, and the industry-dominating West's priorities in terms of what is perceived to be marketable. Things are changing, but nevertheless Japanese artists and outfits are still largely considered specialist interests in the UK and US, when really many, such as this crew, pack significant appeal to the relative-mainstream. Rant over, apologies, here we have the second instalment in the score to the first season of FLCL, a cult animated series created by Adult Swim which tells the story of a 12-year-old boy coming of age. As such, the tunes here are predominantly garage rock and skate-y punk, although even when doing those there's elegance and experimentation evident. Then you have pan-pipe moods, twinkling ambience, and all kinds of one-off tones, resulting in a genuinely engaging ride from start to finish.

Review: Version two in what has now become a series of LPs: 'GBL Sound System' is a full-on dub and reggae re-rendering of soundtrack themes from nearly every Studio Ghibli film - from 'My Neighbour Totoro', to 'Nausicaa', to 'Princess Mononoke' - courtesy of a mysterious troupe known only as GBL Sound System. Production comes courtesy of Dubforce's Ippei Tatsuyama and features vocals from artist Kyoko Abe, making for ear-piquing foray into Japanese dub reworks.