Copenhagen Cowboy

I watched Nicolas Winding Refn's "Copenhagen Cowboy" last night, and true to form, the series is not going to be for everybody.  Also true to form is how mesmerized i was by the whole affair: the slow pacing, the long bouts of silence, the neon lighting, and of course the synth heavy score.  No word on a vinyl release yet, but the soundtrack from Cliff Martinez, Peter Peter, and Julian Winding is streaming now.  Check that out here and listen to "I Promise" below.

The Haxan Cloak - Fire Temple

I really, really, really want to see "MidSommar," Ari Aster's follow up to his brilliant debut "Hereditary."  The whole having young children thing will probably prevent that for a little while, but at least i can listen to the score starting this Friday.  Experimental electronic UK producer Bobby Krlic, better know as The Haxan Cloak, provides the accompanying music this time around, and if our first take, the lush, beautiful, and unnerving "Fire Temple" is any indication, we should expect something just as wonderful as Colin Stetson's jarring score for "Hereditary."  Check it out below and look for the LP on Milan.

Too Old To Die Young

Anyone out there watching Nicolas Winding Refn's "Too Old To Die Young" series on Amazon Prime?  I'm two episodes in, and it's very good, but also very, very much a Nicolas Winding Refn kind of thing with plenty of silent protagonists, long pauses, neon noir, bursts of violence, and doses of toxic masculinity.  Your mileage on that may very, but i love it.  Anyway, true to form, Refn has again hooked up with Cliff Martinez to provide the score, a mix of brooding synths, classic Hollywood homage, and pulsing dread.  Listen to "Naked Guy Murder" below and get the soundtrack from Milan.

Disasterpiece - Under the Silver Lake

If you haven't seen David Robert Mitchell's "Under the Silver Lake" yet, you really should go remedy that as soon as possible.  It's a messy, horny, voyeuristic neo-noir full of nods to old films, shades of Hitchcock, De Palma, and Lynch layered all over it, a critique of male entitlement awash in mystery and surrealism.  It's probably my favorite film of the year so far.  And it also features a score from Disasterpiece, the artist most known for his Carpenter-esqe score for Mitchell's previous film "It Follows."  This score feels way more classic Hollywood in scope, but is equally as excellent as his previous soundtrack work.  Listen to the whole thing below, download it here, and get the record here from Milan.

Colin Stetson - Hereditary OST

Easily one of the most amazing artists i've been lucky enough to see perform in the last decade is the extraordinary saxophonist Colin Stetson.  Mostly known for his work with indie rock groups like Arcade Fire and Bon Iver, the artist really hits his peaks when he goes at it solo, creating all manner of haunting an exhilarating sound with his sax.  And recently, he was tapped to score the new horror film "Hereditary," which if my fellow horror hound friends are to be believed, is something quite terrifying.  Stetson's music is the perfect atmospheric match to keep the chill in your spine and goosebumps on your flesh.  Listen to "Funeral" below and get the album from Milan Records.

Brian McOmber - The Triumph of Death

I was never a fan of Dirty Projectors, but evidently that band's former members always seem to catch my attention with their solo endeavors.  The most recent comes from their former drummer Brian McOmber and his score to the upcoming horror movie "It Comes at Night."  First and foremost, the film looks pretty good, and McOmber's score oozes dread and menace.  Listen to "The Triumph of Death" below, featuring coincidentally enough, Angel Deradoorian, another former member of Dirty Projectors.  And snag the soundtrack next month from Milan.

Mica Levi - Children

I've been interested to see Pablo Larrain's upcoming biopic "Jackie" featuring Natalie Portman as the former First Lady in the days after the JFK assassination, and now i find out that Mica Levi is scoring the thing.  It is now a must-see...and a must-listen too.  Listen to the stark and somber "Children" below and get the album in December from Milan Records.

The Neon Demon

"The Neon Demon," the upcoming new film by Nicolas Winding Refn is one of the movies i'm very excited about this summer, though who knows when i'll get to see it (2 kids and all).  Meanwhile, regular Refn collaborator Cliff Martinez provided the synthy, moody score, and it's out next month on Milan Records.  Check out the opening "Neon Demon" below.

Robocop

Ever since the soundtrack to "Drive" garnered so much acclaim and hype, director Nicolas Winding Refn has jumped full in on the recent vinyl soundtrack resurgence by curating releases for Milan Records.  The most recent is Basil Poledouris' score for Paul Verhoeven's 1987 satiric action masterpiece "Robocop."  Awesome.  And check out the excellent album cover from Jay Shaw.  Listen to "Drive Montage" below and grab the record here.

God Help the Girl

Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch recorded an album in 2009 called "God Help the Girl," a set of songs intended to be worked into a musical film.  And he has succeeded.  Murdoch's directorial debut, also called "God Help the Girl" comes out tomorrow, and the soundtrack consists of original albums tuned reworked and rerecorded with the cast.  The 60's pop pastiche shines, as one would expect from anything associated with Belle and Sebastian.  Take a listen to the title track below with vocals from Emily Browning and grab the album on Milan Records.