Browsing Tag

Soundtrack

Mother Pangea followed the muse into unchartered territory with ‘tHE mISERABLE fOSSIL’

Mother Pangea captured the mystery of his Middle Eastern roots in his latest melodically enticing single, tHE mISERABLE fOSSIL.

The neo-classic electronic hip-hop score may reach the pinnacle of experimentalism, but the artist’s inclination to follow his muse into unchartered new territory didn’t diminish the accessibility of the release; to date, tHE mISERABLE fOSSIL has clocked up almost 40k streams, and counting.

After being fascinated by the way instrumentation drives our emotions, especially by the hand of Yanni, Hans Zimmer, and Tyler Bates, Mother Pangea was keen to awaken evocative impulses with his own compositions; never one to discriminate on genre, he often turns his talents to emanating elements of pop, RnB, Indie, House, and EDM in his hybridic compositions which break every mould known to man, and a few more that are beyond our consciousness.

tHE mISERABLE fOSSIL was officially released on July 28th; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JxPrezzo – A New Home: A Scintillating Exploration of Rebirth

With a touch of the more sombre scores found on the Westworld OSTs and lashings of orchestral beguile, JxPrezzo’s latest ethereal piano composition, A New Home, is a scintillating exploration of rebirth and a reconnection to security.

Four years after finding the inspiration to orchestrate his own compositions upon hearing the piano accompaniment to Echoes of Silence by the Weeknd, the solo artist released his debut score, A Year Later, in 2019.

By exploring his emotions through his always visceral minor-key melodies, each of his elevated works carries the cinematic gravitas of a composer who has dedicated their life to the craft. If you told me he graduated with honours from Julliard or The Royal Academy of Music, I wouldn’t think twice. He doesn’t just hold a candle to Nils Frahm and Philip Glass, he’s equally as luminary and eloquent in his melodies.

A New Home was added to JxPrezzo’s discography on the 7th of July; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Michael Carson sonically visualised ‘A Starry Night’ in his classical composition.

If you have ever wondered what Van Gogh’s A Starry Night would sound like reimagined in a classical composition, wonder no more by going interstellar with the immersively seminal score from the world-class composer, Michael Carson.

With its evocative depth, hitting play is akin to an astronautical adventure; the gentle melodic flurrying keys and gracefully poised orchestral strings effortlessly glide to the arrestive crescendos and fleeting sinister motifs that allow A Starry Night to unravel as a progressively compelling soundscape that soundtracks the vastness of the universe.

Clearly, Carson’s Bachelors & Masters in Music Composition and doctorate in Musical Arts have served him well, as has his inclination to stay committed to perpetuating the timeless appeal of classical music in his invigorating work.

Explore the cosmos with the official music video for A Starry Night on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The extraordinary composer/sound designer Peter Zongting Li tells us more about his world-class piece of work, Roller Coaster

We were lucky enough to speak with the award-winning and world-renowned music composer/sound designer Peter Zongting Li. He kindly lets us in on the particularly impressive visionary process behind his success with Roller Coaster, life in Hollywood, what it’s like to win such sought-after accomplishments and his future vision.

Llewelyn: Firstly, many congrats on winning Best Soundtrack and Best Sound Design at New York International Film Awards and Oniros Film Awards for your scoring efforts for Roller Coaster. What’s it like to win something so prestigious?

Peter: Thank you very much! I am truly honored to receive these awards. It is one of the best experiences in my professional career that both my music and sound from one film won awards in their respective categories in different film festivals. This is the best recognition for me and makes my three months of hard work worthwhile. I will continue composing more good music and doing more detailed sound design for more films with this encouragement.

Llewelyn: Please tell us more about the David Geffen Theater, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on May 3, 2023. This was a special moment. It must feel good right and surely push you to even greater heights?

Peter: Yes. I was so honored to have my film selected by the 2023 Producers’ Show and premiered in this prestigious theater. David Geffen Theater, Academy Museum is one of the most prestigious Dolby Atmos theaters in Los Angeles. This theater was built with 966 seats as a grand presentation space for major films screened. Watching the film with my music and sound in this Dolby Atmos surround sound system was also a very enjoyable experience.

Llewelyn: How do you both: a music composer and a sound designer? You must have some sort of superpowers right?

Peter: Thank you for saying that! To be honest with you, switching hats between a music composer and a sound designer is not easy. But I have been enjoying doing this since 2018. Especially for an animation like Roller Coaster, it required both music and sound to be very accurate and precise on the spot and hit certain moments. I had to make many decisions as both a music composer and sound designer.

For the storytelling purpose, I constantly switched my concentration when I felt like certain moments should be carried either by music or by sound, or both. But as we all know, when both music and sound hit something together, it also can be very busy for our ears. Then I had to dive deeper to see if I can have both at the same time but using different frequencies to separate them (Vertically), or if I can hit one thing slightly different in time (Horizontally). For example, at the moment when Katen (the girl who had magic power) pulled Mill (the main character) to run to the terrace of the train station, I stopped the last tonic note of music right before the railing hit sound so that they were not getting in the way of each other. Overall, it is all about finding the correct rhythm for the story.

Llewelyn: We might have some readers who are super keen to be a composer. What is the workflow like?

Peter: The workflow can be very different based on the directors and the type of project. This film Roller Coaster is the fourth film that my director Sapphira Chen hired me as her composer and sound designer. We have established our standard workflow during the 5 years of our collaboration since 2018.

To be specific about workflow, I got a rough animatic for the whole film in which the first half picture had been down with all the details. So I first worked on the sound design to give all the hard effects, foley, and ambiance. During the time I worked on the first half of the sound, Sapphira was doing the second half of the picture which is where the roller coaster was transformed into a dragon. Then when the second half pictures were done and I finished all the sounds for the first half, Sapphira began to review them and gave me notes for revision.

The next step was Sapphira adding the detailed frames between all the keyframes and colored everything while I was composing the music for the second half as well as doing sound design. Because the roller coaster as the title name is the main theme of this story. So I decided to compose music for it as my priority.
There were many back and force, revisions, and conforming. But in the end, we got all the sound and music that we are both satisfied with.

Llewelyn: What do you feel comes easy to you and which skills are rather difficult to master?

Peter: I feel easy when my director trusts me. Trust is everything. Surely the director can make all the decisions. But the trust from a director like Sapphira who has been working with me for 5 years together, is the most priceless thing ever. She would let me make many decisions by myself because she trusted my instinct.

For the difficult part, I would say the “sleep on” issues. A lot of music ideas and sound designs can be created in a short time. But if we put too much time eyeballing them frame by frame, sometimes our brain can sleep on them and they don’t seem to make sense anymore. For example, if there are 5 different takes of ADR for the effort sound such as a sigh and it’s your 6th hour of the day working on this thing, I doubt whether or not you can still distinguish the best sign sound you should use. In this case, I will leave it alone and come back to check it the next day or the next couple of days if it is a musical idea. You will be surprised that many times our first instinct is better than the revisions. Sometimes after we revised till the 4th or 5th version, there still be cases where we went back to the original version in the end. But it is part of the process in post-production where we tested many things out. I always believe these revisions are worthwhile.

Llewelyn: Also, how do you get into this field? It must be massively competitive.

Peter: Yes, film scoring is a very competitive field. Especially living in Los Angeles, where the most talented composers and sound designers from all over the world gather in the film/TV industry, is very challenging. I still keep grinding my skills daily to match the growth of new technologies in this industry.

I got into this field because I always love using music to tell a story. I studied music since young. I was also mentored by many great composers and music editors in the industry such as Peter Golub, Kubilay Uner, and Shie Rozow. During my years in LA, I also established my connections with many producers/directors who always come back to me with their next projects.
It is all about getting connections and being responsible to your clients.

Llewelyn: Last, what is the vision for the future and where do you see your career headed? Any big plans to reveal or should we keep glued to your socials for more news?

Peter: I see myself heading to music and sound lead roles for films and animations. I am a huge fan of making animations because my favorite activity when I was a kid was watching cartoons after school. My future goal is to join a big studio team such as Pixar or Dreamworks to work on more top-tier projects and use my skills to help more projects have the best music and sound outcome.

See the award-winning piece of work here.

Find out more and follow his remarkable career here.

Follow his socials on IG.

Chase Hagerman augmented the avant-garde in his galactically galvanised single, Love You ft MEV

Taken from his ingeniously titled 2023 LP, The Avant Guardian, the standout single, Love You, from Cali’s Chase Hagerman, is an artfully visceral explosion of pure sonic devotion.

Those three little words seem even smaller after experiencing the riotously rapturous soundscape, which unravels as a progressive medley of sheer experimentalism. From euphonic disco-funk grooves to hits of hip-hop to interludes of cosmic space folk to hyper pop, it would probably be easier to name the genres which were excluded from the high-octane melting pot, which picks up stratospheric mind-bending momentum to ensure the listener feels the love in mind, body and soul.

It is one thing to create such a massive sound and another thing entirely to make it so impactful with meaning simultaneously. Clearly, Chase Hagerman (AKA Chase the Composer) is as far from being pedestrian as the NASA Space Station.

Prior to releasing his solo material, the eclectically-styled classically-experienced composer, drummer, producer and pianist cut his teeth in college marching bands, orchestras, rock bands and theatre troupes; his collective experience became the sum of his avant-garde tenacity and anthemic subtlety.

Stream the album in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

“Be My Blue Sky” by Meine Stille: A Serene Melodic Journey

Meine Stille gracefully entrances listeners with their ethereal and sparse composition, “Be My Blue Sky.” The opening notes immediately transport the audience into a realm of tranquillity, reminiscent of the meditative soundscape of artists like Misha Kolesoski. The delicate combination of guitar and piano creates a heartfelt and enchanting atmosphere, showcasing Meine Stille’s exceptional musical sensibilities.

The track unfolds with a sense of serenity, allowing space for contemplation and introspection. The sparse instrumentation adds to the song’s meditative quality, with each note carefully placed to evoke a feeling of stillness and calm. Meine Stille’s masterful guitar playing radiates sincerity and beauty, perfectly complemented by the gentle piano melodies. The seamless integration of these two instruments creates a harmonious and captivating sonic experience.

“Be My Blue Sky” demonstrates Meine Stille’s ability to create a soundscape that transports listeners to a place of inner reflection. The soothing ambience of the composition invites listeners to pause and immerse themselves in the delicate melodies, finding solace and peace in the music.

Meine Stille’s social media presence enhances the connection between the artist and their audience. Through platforms such as Instagram (@meinestillemusic) and Facebook (Meine Stille), fans have the opportunity to engage with the artist’s creative process and gain deeper insights into their musical journey. Additionally, the availability of their music on Bandcamp (meinestille.bandcamp.com) allows supporters to directly support the artist by purchasing their work.

“Be My Blue Sky” is a testament to Meine Stille’s talent for crafting introspective and captivating compositions. With their sparse and ethereal sound, they deliver a melodic journey that resonates deeply with the listener. Meine Stille’s ability to blend guitar and piano seamlessly demonstrates their skill as a musician and composer.

In conclusion, “Be My Blue Sky” by Meine Stille is a captivating and meditative piece of music. The combination of sparse instrumentation, heartfelt guitar playing, and delicate piano melodies creates a serene soundscape that invites listeners to embrace stillness and find solace in its beauty. Meine Stille’s ability to evoke a sense of tranquillity through their music is truly remarkable, making this track a compelling addition to any contemplative playlist.

Cameron Owen diaphanously covered Les Miserables’ Bring Him Home

After Cameron Owen’s cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water left us insurmountably arrested, we couldn’t wait to feel our emotions swell with the orchestral crescendos in his latest single, Bring Him Home.

The compellingly diaphanous ballad is as graceful, delicate, and powerful as an angel’s wing for the way the theatrical pop cover of the Les Miserables prayer comes to life through the minor piano keys and his unfaltering vocal lines fusing as the ultimate aural redemption story for humanity.

Just as Les Miserables conveyed the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to endure heartbreak while still keeping courage, love and passion at our core, Cameron Owen’s reworking of the number will serve a poignant reminder of our innate inner capacity for beauty.

Bring Him Home was officially released on April 21; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dig your way into a dystopic landscape with the dark hazy beats in Snakes of Russia’s single, Tunnel

Taken from the original soundtrack from the film, A Brush with Violence, the reworked iteration of Tunnel by the alt-electro producer, Snakes of Russia, is a harbingering descent through droningly dark synth lines and dystopically hazy laments, fed through the unpredictably rhythmic downtempo percussion.

Ambient and arrestingly alluring – to those who find comfort in the obscure – in equal measure, Tunnel is an ambient Avant-Garde work that you will want to burrow into time and time again for the way it paints light tones to cast shadows on the progressions. After all, no tale of horror can be told without holding a candle to humanity and the collective fears that show how precious our mortality is despite our nihilistic inclinations.

Stream Tunnel on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Sun Hit an 80s New Wave Atmosphere in Sabet and Doherty’s Single, At the Brink of Dawn

Docking their boat at the harbour of 80s new wave atmosphere, the soundtrackers, professional songwriters and producers, Sabet and Doherty, orchestrated a sonic depiction of when the sun hits in their single, At the Brink of Dawn, taken from their sophomore EP, The Secret.

Starting with cavernously choral angular guitar work in the same vein as Slowdive, the instrumental aural escapade builds into a feat of full-bodied beguile through the percussive fills brought by Doherty, best known for his work with Ben Folds and They Might Be Giants.

The oceanically cathartic testament to the collaborative chemistry that spills between the two artists is a unique invitation to slip array from the fray of typically structured music and become part of the flotsam while you trust in the expert orchestrators, who drift you into one of the sweetest 80s rock crescendos towards the outro.

At the Brink of Dawn is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

All Day Riding Our Bikes: Mr Streetz recalls those classic times on 80s Kid

Impressively fusing our world back into a better time so many treasure fondly, Mr Streetz returns with the tremendous new single which we can learn from called 80s Kid.

Mr Streetz is a London, UK-based indie hip hop artist who spits the truth on each one of his blazing soundtracks to remember forever.

Lacing down a track with so much love and memorable lyrics, Mr Streetz reminds so many what it was like to live in an era which had so much innocence. Lyrically hard and featuring ferocious bars to power rocket ships, this is a pulsating single to remember with.

80s Kid from London, UK-based indie hip hop artist Mr Streetz is a song which shows us how so much has changed. With Walkmans in tune and devoid of internet, this is a formidable soundtrack. Dropping us into the past and guiding us through so many jubilant times, we find a supreme song to hold on tightly with.

Recalling those happy times shall bring a smile when its needed most.

Turn up this song on Spotify. Find out more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen