First Flight The Last of Us HBO sees composer Gustavo Santaolalla retooling and abbreviating many of his most famous pieces from the original game soundtracks. “First Flight” is actually the bridge section of “Unbroken” from The Last of Us Part II. This makes it a […]

The O.G. of cinematic guitar Gustavo Santaolalla had already built an impressive résumé — Amores Perros, 21 Grams, The Motorcycle Diaries (an astonishing soundtrack) — but it was 2005’s Brokeback Mountain where his cinematic sound truly took flight: minimalist guitar, expansive reverb, and open space […]

Left Behind (The Journey) I’ve always loved this piece, originally titled “Left Behind (Together)” from The Last of Us Vol. 2 — which is actually the soundtrack for the Left Behind DLC  (the first game’s expansion). I’m not a gamer, and in case you’re not […]

“Seattle Arrival” Big thanks to Sam, one of my readers who clued me into this track. I’m a Gustavo Santaolalla superfan — but I’m not a gamer, so I had no idea this song existed. It’s an untitled and unreleased track from The Last of […]

I Love You Too Much The Book of Life (2014) is a visually stunning tribute to Mexican culture and the traditions of Día de los Muertos. Produced by Guillermo del Toro, the film uses a striking “wooden doll” animation style, giving the characters the charm […]

Iguazu This is an arrangement of Gustavo Santaolalla’s famous composition, “Iguazu.” By the late 90s, Santaolalla was already an icon in Latin alternative music as both a musician and producer, but “Iguazu”—specifically its haunting use in the 1999 film *The Insider*—kicked off his prolific “third […]

Amores Perros The 2000 Mexican film Amores Perros, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, is a powerful and gritty triptych of interconnected stories set against the backdrop of Mexico City. Its emotional intensity is significantly heightened by the masterful score by Argentine composer, Gustavo Santaolalla. Santaolalla’s […]

Leyendo en el Hospital The score for The Motorcycle Diaries is widely regarded as one of Gustavo Santaolalla’s masterworks. Directed by Walter Salles, the 2004 film is adapted from the journals of two real-life Argentines, Alberto Granado and Ernesto Guevara de la Serna. Depicting the […]

Zambita Zambita is pretty little tune by Gustavo Santaolalla from the critically acclaimed film, The Motorcycle Diaries (2004). This instrumental track perfectly encapsulates the spirit of youthful adventure, self-discovery, and the vast, breathtaking landscapes of South America. Santaolalla, a two-time Academy Award winner for Best […]

Chichina Directed by Walter Salles, The Motorcycle Diaries 2004 is a biographical drama that chronicles the transformative road trip taken by a young Ernesto Guevara and his friend Alberto, across South America in 1952. The iconic soundtrack is from Gustavo Santaolalla. His song “Chichina” serves […]

Lima Lima is one of my favorite tracks from Gustavo Santaolalla’s The Motorcycle Diaries soundtrack. Rather than his usual minimalist approach, Lima really displays Santaolalla’s guitar prowess. I had an opportunity to see Gustavo Santaolalla play live in Pittsburgh (in 2013) with his band Bajofondo. Rather […]

Parting Ways Gustavo Santaolalla’s iconic guitar motifs, which are essential to the The Last of Us games, form the backbone of the HBO series’ score. While many of the original tracks have been adapted—often revised, shortened, and retitled—Santaolalla has also woven in brand new compositions. […]