Film Music Reporter

Film Music Reporter’s Top Original Film Songs of 2015:

Ryan Coogler‘s Creed not only features one of our favorite scores of the year, but is also easily our top choice for best use of original songs in a movie in 2015. The way Ludwig Goransson‘s score is integrated into the film’s songs and vice versa makes this a standout example of how a unified musical concept can shape a film’s narrative and help the overall quality. In addition to co-writing the tracks for Tessa Thompson’s character’s band in the film, the composer co-wrote the song Waiting for My Moment with Coogler, as well as Vince Staples and Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) who are performing the track with Jhene Aiko. Goransson and Coogler also co-wrote the song Fighting Strong, which is performed by Aiko. All original songs are featured on the Creed soundtrack album available on Republic Records. Read the rest of this entry »

Film Music Reporter’s Top 5 Original Scores of 2015 (in alphabetical order):

Thomas Newman collaborated with Steven Spielberg for the first time on the spy drama Bridge of Spies and delivered our favorite score of the composer in several years. Staying true to his signature sound while introducing some unfamiliar elements to his oeuvre including Russian choir, Newman’s music perfectly complements the movie’s period setting and Capra-esque storyline. The director and composer decided to use music very sparingly in the first half of the film and when the score finally gets its moments to shine in the final half hour of the movie, it is all the more effective. A soundtrack album featuring Newman’s music is available on Hollywood Records. (Standout cues on soundtrack album: Homecoming, Bridge of Spies (End Title))

Ludwig Goransson, whose music first caught our attention when he first broke into the scoring scene with NBC’s Community in 2009, scored the biggest production of his career yet with Ryan Coogler’s Creed. The composer not only delivered on his early promise with his first major Hollywood drama, he surpassed our expectations of what a modern sports movie score could sound like. While tipping his hat to Bill Conti’s original Rocky score, Goransson came up with a unique combination of orchestral and modern elements such as hip hop beats and electronics to give the film a contemporary vibe and to underscore the title character’s underdog journey. Special mention goes to the excellent mix of the music in the film, which allows the score to standout in several key scenes of the movie. A soundtrack album featuring the Goransson’s score is available on WaterTower Music. (Standout tracks: You’re a Creed, If I Fight, You Fight – Training Montage) Read the rest of this entry »