Back Lot Music releases the soundtrack by Bear McCreary to the Universal Pictures horror movie Happy Death Day. The film, written by Scott Lobdell and directed by Christopher Landon, stars Jessica Rothe and Israel Broussard. Tree Gelbman wakes up in bed with Carter Davis and has recollections of having lived her life before. When a baby-face masked intruder kills her, Tree wakes up in bed again. It seems that she is destined to endure a Groundhog Day-like existence until she learns more and discovers the identity of her killer. The featured tracks are 'Day One', 'Day Two', 'Day Three', 'Day Four', 'Hospital Pursuit', 'The Bell Tower', 'Righting Wrongs', 'Tree Takes Control', and 'The Cupcake'...

Bear McCreary has quite a track record for prominent movie and TV series soundtracks, including 10 Cloverfield Lane, Animal Crackers, Rebel in the Rye, the revamped Battlestar Galactica, Black Sails, Outlander, The Walking Dead, and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He also has an EMMY award for the theme to Da Vinci’s Demons. Quite impressive for a composer still in his thirties, I’m sure you’ll agree.

As the killer in the film wears a baby-face mask, McCreary decided to record his three-year old daughter. He collected together giggles and whispers before distorting the sounds into what he calls vocals textures. Strange breathing and even whimpering is used as the main theme for the killer. Adding a full orchestra turns the whole sound otherworldly and off-kilter.

The film’s main theme is returned to often, but not simply for the sake of uninventiveness. Each time is within a different context and soundscape. Mostly, it is utilised in the first four tracks; pivotal scenes which follow get their own sense of urgency. This work isn’t going to set the world alight, but it is a little different from what has become known as the standard sharp piano piece or screeching violins. A soundtrack exists to enhance the effectiveness and enjoyment of a movie, so it’s no surprise that this one works well as a background score to doing other things.

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Ty Power