Dream Division

There are times when i come across a faux soundtrack, that it's sound and design are so convincing that it fools me for a moment.  Such is the case with "Scream Queen," the latest from UK synth wave project Dream Division.  A bunch of short tracks titled "Cue 1," "Cue 2," etc. with one longer track as the theme along with some convincing old school '80s soundtrack album art...you got me guys.  Anyway, it still rips for what it's worth.  Listen to the dark and pulsing "Theme from Scream Queen" below and get the download, 5" lathe cut single, or cassette here from Library of The Occult.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Laurie's Theme

It's not officially Halloween time until you listen to John Carpenter's score to his 1978 game changer.  Here's "Laurie's Theme," our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Wait for the Rain

Here's a folk rock track from actor and musician David Hess, taken from the soundtrack to Wes Craven's "The Last House on the Left."  Like so many horror films of the '70s, the difference between the often gentle or beautiful music heard and the horrific, disturbing images seen on screen is quite jarring.  Listen to "Wait for the Rain" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Trick or Treat

On Friday, there's going to be a screening of the goofy 1986 heavy metal horror movie "Trick or Treat" near by, and i want to go.  Extenuating circumstances may make it that i'm going solo, but it's probably worth it, right?  Anyhoo, here's a track from the soundtrack by Fastway.  Listen to "Trick or Treat" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Our Darkest Sabbath

Man, i sure do miss Broadcast.  I consider myself extremely fortunate that i was able to see them perform about a year or so before Trish died.  Here's a selection from the band's eerie score to the Peter Strickland film "Berberian Sound Studio."  Listen to "Our Darkest Sabbath" below, our Daily Jam.

Zola Jesus

Apparently, back in 2024, Zola Jesus recorded a score to a horror film called "Saint Clare."  I haven't heard of this one, so i'll probably try to seek it out.  Anyway, the artist saw fit to drop the score, which includes a couple of new original tracks too, just in time for Halloween.  Check out the dark and moody "What I Want" below and download the album here.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Maniac's Theme (Main Titles)

I feel like it's been awhile since i last watched Willian Lustig's "Maniac."  Probably need to remedy during this Halloween season.  Let's get started with some of Jay Chattaway's score to the film.  Listen to the eerie "Maniac's Theme (Main Titles)" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Necronomania

Here's some sexy, jazzy psychedelia from Manfred Hubler's and Siegfried Schwab's score to Jesus Franco's 1971 film "Vampyros Lesbos."  Listen to "Necronomania" below, our Daily Jam.

Justice x Tame Impala x SZA x King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

I'm not a gamer and never really have been much of one.  Okay, maybe back in the '80s with the original Nintendo, but there are a million things i'd rather do than play video games.  Anyhoo, i will admit to digging on video game soundtracks.  We've come a long way from 8-bit scores with the upcoming "GTA VI" getting music from French electronic duo Justice.  And on "Flower in a Hurricane," they team up with Tame Impala, SZA, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.  That's a hell of a lineup, and the tune is a sleek, '80s-inspired pop gem that sounds like cruising the streets of Miami in a convertible, on the run from Crockett and Tubbs or something.  Check it out below and download it here from Because Music.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - The Calling / Main Title

Every fall i try to not let football ruin my day...and every fall i fail.  It must be nice to be one of those people with a team that wins...or even better, one of those people that doesn't care it all.  You guys got it down.  Anyway, here's something that never lets me down: horror.  Movies or music, it's just the best.  Here's a track from composer Donald Rubinstein's score to the George Romero vampire movie "Martin."  Listen to "The Calling / Main Title" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Lipstick to Void

Here's an eerie, droning selection from Mica Levi's otherworldly score to Jonathan Glazer's 2013 film "Under the Skin."  Seriously, this music can haunt your dreams.  Check out "Lipstick to Void" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Crucified Woman

One of my favorite things about Italian horror movies, cannibal flicks in particular, is how gorgeous the soundtracks are despite the repulsive or gruesome nature of the films they are scoring.  Composer Riz Ortolani's soundtrack to "Cannibal Holocaust" is probably the best example of this.  Blood and guts, cannibalism, rape, torture, racism, colonialism, animal cruelty...all set to the lush and beautiful sounds composed and conducted by Maestro Ortolani.  Listen to "Crucified Woman" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Verso L'Ignoto

And now for a selection of music from one of my favorite horror movies, Lucio Fulci's "The Beyond."  Listen to composer Fabio Frizzi's eerie and ominous "Verso L'Ignoto" below, our Daily Jam.

Liz Harris

Fresh off of the release of her fuzzy dreampop band Helen's new album, Liz Harris of Grouper fame just announced new album "Music for Two Films About Water."  The aptly titled new record consists of two sprawling experimental tracks that served as soundtrack material for Tanja Englebert's "We Exhale" and Takashi Makino's "Constellation," each of which is a meditation on water.  Listen to the sparse by gorgeous "Untitled (from Constellation)" below and pre-order the LP here from Kranky.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Dream

I rewatched "Rosemary's Baby" the other night, and it's wild how gripping the movie is almost 60 years later.  A phenomenal film.  Anyway, part of the movie's enduring quality is often haunting and trippy score from Polish jazz pianist and composer Krzysztof (Christopher) Komeda.  Check out "Dream" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam (October Edition) - Black Forest

Here are some proggy October vibes from Goblin for what is a gray and drizzly Sunday here in Central Texas.  Listen to "Black Forest" from the "Suspiria" soundtrack below, our Daily Jam.

Sean Wolcott

Last month, Seattle artist Sean Wolcott dropped his new album "Lady Swordfighter: Disciple of Dishonor," a very fucking cool faux soundtrack meant to evoke the music of Japanese films from the '60s and '70s.  Elements of psych, jazz, funk, soul, and more abound.  Listen to "Heaven Has No Swords" below and pre-order the forthcoming vinyl here from Library of the Occult.  You can also download the whole thing here from the artist.

Daily Jam - Heaven

Here's some film score inspired synths from Johnny Jewel, the once upon a time member of Chromatics and Glass Candy.  Check out "Heaven" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Ascension to Virginity

Here's some groovy psych pop from Dave Grusin taken from the soundtrack to '60s flick "Candy."  Listen to "Ascension to Virginity" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - 君の愛に背を向けて

I have been exploring a ton of Japanese music over the last couple of months: film scores, jazz, psych, city pop, and on and on.  And i've gotta say i'm loving it, kind of similar to when i discovered all those Italian film score composers and library session musicians a decade or so back.  Anyhoo, here's a jazzy piece of music from composer Yuji Ohno taken from the film "Proof of the Wild," or "Never Give Up" as it's known in other regions.  Listen to the smooth and sultry "君の愛に背を向けて," translated as "Turning My Back on Your Love," below, our Daily Jam.