Martin Phipps's original score for the third season of Netflix's The Crown is released via Sony Music. This season sees a new guard enter Downing Street as Queen Elizabeth and her family struggle to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing Britain. From cold-war paranoia, through to the jet-set and the space age - the exuberance of the 1960s and the long hangovers of the 1970s - Elizabeth and the Royals must adapt to a new, more liberated, but also more turbulent world...

The score for the third season of The Crown contains 16 tracks (48 min, 02 sec). This is music that can just as easily be enjoyed outside of the show as it can while watching the onscreen story unfold.

Composer Martin Phipps steers clear of delivering cliched themes and set pieces, instead opting to score the show as if it were a standard drama, rather than bringing in pomp and ceremony which a lesser composer (or director) may have insisted on. The end result is a collection of themes which are timeless in style, yet instantly engaging.

Tracks like 'The Establishment' are reminiscent of Hans Zimmer's dark brooding score for The DaVinci Code. Other highlights include 'Charles', which borders on classical music. 'Aberfan', a melancholic track that will tug at your heartstrings. 'Simple Harp' is a hypnotic piece which sees a harp and strings dance together to form something that's much more intricate. Alice, a sweet, intricate piece that will stay with you for some time.

An original score and one that is a worthwhile addition to any self respecting soundtrack fan's collection.

9

Darren Rea