WaterTower Music release the original score to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, the second of five all new adventures in the Wizarding World created by J.K. Rowling. James Newton Howard returns to the franchise once again. And as a bonus the soundtrack treats fans to three solo piano cues performed by James Newton Howard and not heard in the film: 'Dumbledore’s Theme (Solo Piano)', 'Fantastic Beasts Theme (Solo Piano)' and 'Leta’s Theme (Solo Piano)...'

James Newton Howard delivers some wonderful themes here. It sounds like a beautiful combination of Hans Zimmer's haunting score for the Da Vinci Code as well as John Williams's original music for the early Harry Potter movies. Not only does Howard expertly riff off the occasional Harry Potter theme, but in essence this has all the hallmarks of a lovingly crafted '80s Williams score.

The album contains 25 tracks (1 hr, 17 min, 20 sec) and has just about everything you could wish for in a soundtrack. Howard is allowed to run free, creating some incredibly strong themes.

The inclusion of three solo piano performances by Howard is also a loving touch to the production of this album. They fit the score perfectly and it's a great way to close the score.

If you're a lover of epic, spine chillingly exciting scores, then you'll fall in love with what Howard delivers here.

9

Darren Rea