Umberto’s ‘Black Bile’ Is Full of Graceful, Minimalist Ambience
Umberto is a master of creating moods that may be unfamiliar and alien but, like the best ambient music, are eventually welcoming in their own way.
film music
Exploring the Hip-Hop Vibration with Hank Shocklee
Tying in his legacy to a new short film trilogy, legendary Public Enemy/Bomb Squad producer Hank Shocklee traces the line from his classic grooves to our modern sound.
Courtney Barnett Goes Quiet on Ambient ‘End of the Day’
End of the Day is purposefully quiet and forms a distinct meditative contrast with Courtney Barnett’s established indie rock oeuvre.
Sufjan Stevens’ ‘Reflections’ Soundtrack Is Impressive If Vague
Composed by Sufjan Stevens, the Reflections soundtrack is virtuosic and a pleasant listen but on its own the album feels indistinct and largely forgettable.
Jorge Drexler on Love in The Time of Coronavirus
An otolaryngologist by training, Oscar-winning, Madrid-based Jorge Drexler uses his new album to examine love through a variety of lenses.
Boy Harsher’s ‘The Runner’ Is Compelling as Both Film and Soundtrack
Boy Harsher chose to fill dark times by creating a film and soundtrack. The Runner, a sharp 30-minute horror, unfurls tantalizingly ambiguous events at a stately place.
Explosions in the Sky Design a Soundtrack for Public Television
As an Explosions in the Sky album, the lack of indulgent edge is one of the few things you can say about Big Bend (An Original Soundtrack for Public Television.
Yann Tiersen’s ‘Kerber’ Is a Sonic Tribute to His Home of Ushant
Yann Tiersen integrates synth elements, redefining his piano arrangements and giving each piece otherworldly layers on Kerber.
While the Sun Shines: An Interview with Composer Joe Wong
Joe Wong, the composer behind Netflix's Russian Doll and Master of None, articulates personal grief and grappling with artistic fulfillment into a sweeping debut album.
Composer Ilan Eshkeri Discusses His Soundtrack for the ‘Ghost of Tsushima’ Game
Having composed for blockbuster films and ballet, Ilan Eshkeri discusses how powerful emotional narratives and the opportunity for creative freedom drew him to triple-A video game Ghost of Tsushima.
Nate “Rocket” Wonder and Roman GianArthur Score the New Janelle Monáe Film ‘Antebellum’
Nate "Rocket" Wonder and Roman GianArthur composed a thrilling neo-classical score for Janelle Monáe's new film, Antebellum. Hear the dramatic "Opening" of the soundtrack.
Cavern of Anti-Matter’s First Film Score Is a Rare Delight
Stereolab spin-off project, Cavern of Anti-Matter thrive in alchemizing varied and abstruse influences to elicit transfixing moments of frazzled disquiet and dread on In Fabric.