Silva Screen Records digitally releases Music From the Westworld TV series, composed by Ramin Djawadi and performed by London Music Works. Westworld is based on the excellent 1973 film (starring Yul Brynner) and its lacklustre 1976 sequel Futureworld, which are themselves based on Michael’s Crichton’s book. Across four seasons, the HBO series explores the retro Wild West-themed amusement park, the contrasting futuristic laboratories which act as the operations centre for the park, and the contrast as things begin to go wrong and events take a sinister turn. It stars Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright and Anthony Hopkins. London Music Works perform film and TV soundtracks; they’re catalogue includes Music From the Terminator Movies, The Batman Trilogy, Music From the How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy, and Music From The Transformer Movies. Emmy Award-winning Ramin Djawadi is best known for his work on the phenomenally successful Game of Thrones and its prequel series, House of the Dragon. He has also scored Pacific Rim, Clash of the Titans, Person of Interest, Jack Ryan and the video games Medal of Honour, and Gears of War 4 & 5. He is known for his organic soundscapes and orchestral abstract opposites.

Tracklisting: 'Main Title Theme'; 'Sweetwater'; 'Paint it Black'; 'This World'; 'Dr Ford'; 'Heart-Shaped Box (Orchestral)'; 'Take My Heart When You Go'; 'I Promise'; 'West World'; 'Codex'; 'Start A Revolution'; 'Doomed'; 'Wicked Games'; 'Hope'; 'Free Will'; 'Video Games'; 'Bad Guy'; and 'Our World'.

Rather than the expected wild west cowboy influence, the music opens with a jaunty, almost retro funfair feel, with cello producing a melancholy edge. An off kilter (Les Dawson) piano piece follows, bringing a menacing sound to the carnival backdrop. 'Paint it Black' is my favourite Rolling Stones song; here it is slow and atmospheric. It finally comes to life, becoming a much more all-encompassing experience, incorporating Western galloping themes but remaining grand and orchestral until it fades with old-style piano. 'Dr Ford' transports us to the mystical East, before leading with a retrospective piano, violins and electronica. 'Heart-Shaped Box' is, of course taken from the Nirvana song. It’s strangely empowering to hear an orchestral version and it lends itself well to the format. 'I Promise' features a marching aspect which builds using piano and cello.

I would have laid money that the track 'West World' would consist of music befitting the dusty recreation of the old West intermingled with a more scientific setting which suggests the hi-tech theme park. However, it’s another sad and misty-eyed piece; two of this kind on one collection is one too many. 'Start A Revolution' is more like it. It has elements of recent Gary Numan about it; warped and warbling electronica, a throbbing and pulsing, and a feeling the listener has no idea where the tune is going to head next. More of these, please. 'Bad Guy' wouldn’t be out of place backing a silent comedy short by the likes of Charlie Chaplin or Harold Lloyd. This is certainly an eclectic collection of soundtrack music. There are some similar pieces present, but in a way, it makes those unusual and outstanding ones stick out.

7

Ty Power