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Soundtrack Review


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You Were Never Really Here
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

 

Composer: Jonny Greenwood
Performed by: London Contemporary Orchestra, Ollie Coates and Jonny Greenwood
Label: Lakeshore Records / Invada Records
lakeshorerecords.com
invada.co.uk
RRP: £13.99
Release Date: 09 March 2018


Lakeshore Records and Invada Records co-release You Were Never Really Here Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, featuring a score by Academy Award-nominated composer Jonny Greenwood. Based on a book by Jonathan Ames, Ramsay’s fourth film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Joe, a traumatized veteran, unafraid of violence, who tracks down missing girls for a living. When a job spins out of control, Joe's nightmares overtake him as a conspiracy is uncovered leading to what may be his death trip or his awakening...

You Were Never Really Here is the second project where Radiohead guitarist/keyboardist Jonny Greenwood has collaborated with director Lynne Ramsay, having composed the score for We Need To Talk About Kevin. Greenwood weaves his talents on synthesizers, drum machines, recorders and guitars alongside the London Contemporary Orchestra and experimental string player Ollie Coates to create a compelling backdrop to the intense and harrowing thriller.

I recently interviewed composer Guy Farley and over the course of chatting he revealed that the last piece of music he'd heard that he'd been impressed with was Greenwood's score for Phantom Thread. Being a huge fan of Farley's music I decided to pick up the soundtrack to Phantom Thread on his recommendation. It was a good move as it was a score I instantly enjoyed.

Sadly, You Were Never Really Here doesn't come close to Greenwood's masterful composing on Phantom Thread. In fact I really couldn't understand why this had even been released as a standalone album - it's pretty dull and lifeless. I can see that this would create depth and atmosphere in the movie, but it just sounds so lacklustre when listened to in isolation.

If experimental, modern scores are your thing then you may get something out of this. Personally it's not one I'll be listening to again in a hurry. I'm going to listen to Phantom Thread instead to try to help me forget this din and reconfirm to myself that Greenwood is a fine composer when he's given the right project.

2

Darren Rea

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