Soundtracks to life

The majority of good music these days is heavily underrated, but with sites/apps like Songza and 8tracks, finding new music is at the touch of our fingertips. Movie soundtracks and scores are usually so fitting for the film, it’s as if there was never really any other reason this song was made, than for the film itself, (that’s exactly what a score is!)

I’ve recently watched two films and I absolutely fell in love with their soundtracks, Adult World (2013) and The First Time (2012). Both are rather quirky, romantic comedies and the music set to the scenes just make the moments being watched that much more sincere and memorable.

The soundtrack for Adult World (2013) was mostly music from a band, who’s music I’d never heard before or even ever heard of the band itself before, called Handsome Furs. The film was strange, but an accurate depiction of the awkward feeling of lostness in the transition from childhood to adulthood. The unconventional film was complimented by the indie rock, post-punk revival genre that Handsome Furs strongly promoted and it suited the film to a t. Here’s a full list of the soundtrack, but my personal favourite was Hearts of Iron – Handsome Furs. It was mostly a mellow indie tune, with parts that picked up and could be considered post-punk. Overall, it’s a soft song that won’t put you to sleep and made more for hanging out.

The First Time (2012) had a whole other mix of songs from many different artists. The idea behind the film is “the first time”, really. It could be considered a becoming of age type of film, like truly being yourself and not doubting what you want, those kinds of things. The soundtrack felt genuinely soft, while also being a lift-your-mood-kind-of-lightheartedness. The soundtrack is casual and relaxing but overall gave the film, and the audience a happy stir of emotions; here is a full list of the soundtrack. I had heard some of these songs before, but the ones I kept on repeat for a few hours were, The End – Best Coast, Teenage Daydream – The Nights, and Coming Home – Pete Kilpatrick Band. Indie and alternative music is growing incredibly popular these days, and these songs all fit sort of into the said genres. Indie and alternative music can be both relaxing and upbeat, they are the let loose and have fun kind of songs, and this whole film was surround by songs that advertise those kinds of emotions by the characters in the movie.

Next time you’re watching a movie, keep your ears peeled on why a scene feels so right, it’s probably the soundtrack/score, and it’s almost always, really good, underrated music.