A Real Hero Drive (2011) was a great movie — artful in the way it introduced an 80s aesthetic while still being set in the present day. The soundtrack was excellent, punctuated with synthwave (or retrowave) producers like College, Kavinsky, and Desire. Music built around […]

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 […]

I Suppose We Could Go Anywhere I’m consistently amazed at how HBO knocks it out of the park — specifically with the Game of Thrones universe. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was a slightly upbeat departure in tone, but still carried all the shock […]

“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 […]

Together Again The BBC/Hulu limited series Normal People has been recommended to me for years. I’ve always loved the music, and I was deeply familiar with the minimalist piano soundtrack by Irish composer Stephen Rennicks long before I actually watched the show. Having just finished […]

What Do You Know? I’ve seen Alex Garland’s Annihilation a few times now. If you haven’t watched it, it’s a beautiful, unsettling science fiction trip. Starring Natalie Portman and directed by Garland (Ex Machina), the film follows a biologist into “The Shimmer”—a mysterious zone where […]

The Luck Is Ours Alone While Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon focus on the high-stakes maneuvering of kings, queens, and Great Houses—A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms offers a refreshing, more intimate look at George R.R. Martin’s world. Based on the Tales […]

Leaving the Reach A Game of Thrones spinoff has a new composer! Welcome, Dan Romer — you are totally awesome. The soundtrack for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is inextricable from the show. The music feels like a hidden character or bard lending unspoken […]

Your Choices, Your Actions This tender, acoustic-driven piece scores a quiet father-son moment in the latest Superman movie. After a transmission from his biological parents, Clark fears he was sent to Earth to “hurt people.” Pa Kent’s answer is quiet but powerful: it’s not destiny that […]

Chains of Love I love the concept of the Wuthering Heights soundtrack; pairing the hyperpop energy of Charli xcx with a romantic period piece is an inspired choice. It’s a fascinating departure for Charli xcx, whose typical sound is up-tempo and experimental, rather than the […]

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 […]

Taboo I watched Taboo way back in 2017, and I honestly still think it’s great. If you’re into historical fiction with a heavy dose of mud, mysticism, and Tom Hardy being intensely brooding, this is definitely your show. The story is set in the soot-stained, […]