Review: Thom Yorke- Suspiria (Music for the Luca Guadagnino Film)

The Radiohead frontman successfully translates his talents to the silver screen.

As far as Thom Yorke's solo material goes, listeners tend to have a good idea of what to expect.  The Eraser, Tomorrows Modern Boxes, and his work with Atoms of Piece could be categorized primarily as electronic tracks that incorporate punchy drum machine loops and layered synthesizers.  These past solo efforts have had an intense focus on sound design and production techniques with much help from longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich.

This project, which is music created for someone else's work, shows Thom branching out into a completely new direction.  With Mr. Godrich not appearing to be present, I knew to expect something quite different from the Radiohead leader.

Even when separating the composition from the film, this is still an eerie and chilling album. With the atmosphere and tension Thom has crafted on these tracks you would never think this is his first feature film score.  Listening to this I get flashes of Jerry Goldsmith's work on Alien as well as Angelo Badalamenti's score on Twin Peaks.  Both of these composers I imagine Mr. Yorke took serious inspiration from.  

On top of the unnerving instrumentals like "Olga's Destruction" and "Volk", Thom has a handful of tracks where he takes the time to sing and deliver some beautifully powerful performances.  Notably, the songs "Unmade" and "Suspirium" are some of the most gorgeous pieces Thom has ever put to tape.

While I hear the work of many horror legends on this album, Thom Yorke has succeeded in making this score his own.  On top of that, it feels like a fresh departure from anything else he has ever written and I am excited for his next solo effort that is apparently coming in 2019.

Rating: 7.5/10

Essential Tracks: Suspirium, Unmade, Volk, Olga's Destruction, Open Again, The Universe Is Indifferent