Annihilation [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

by Geoff Barrow

Overview

Following their enticing, percussion-less, synth-laden score for 2014's Ex Machina, composers Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow deliver their second score, this time for Alex Garland's Annihilation, a sci-fi psychological thriller that explores the themes of identity and biology. The effort is a sure-fire sonic departure from the sound that ran throughout their former effort: Whereas Ex Machina was made up of pulsating, arpeggiated synths and fuzzy basslines that filtered and weaved in and out of the mix, Annihilation approaches tension and mood in an altogether different way. The first half of the score consists of heavily reverberated percussion, ethereal soundscapes, and arpeggiated acoustic guitar that juxtapose threat and intrigue equally. Tracks such as "What Do You Know?" and "Approaching the Shimmer" do this wonderfully, focusing purely on atmosphere rather than structure. As the album progresses, forlorn strings adorn each piece, such as on "Plant People" -- an eerie piece composed of discordant bass, foreboding cello, tinkling wind chimes, and the occasional sweltering sound effect that recalls some of the noise involved in late composer Johann Johannsson's final score for Denis Villeneuve's Arrival in 2016. The final third of the album segues into more threatening and mysterious territory -- "Lighthouse Chamber" delivers a kind of nauseating, swirling ambience before the 12-minute-long "The Alien" begins. The latter is a highlight of the album, bringing together many of the aforementioned elements into one cohesive composition; wonderfully rich strings rise to a crescendo before suddenly, out of nowhere, fuzzy synth leads break through, giving way to ghostly ambience and unexpected stabs of electronica that build to a tumultuous end. The score for Annihilation is a refreshing listen for soundtrack aficionados and proves that Salisbury and Barrow have plenty of tricks up their sleeves as innovative composers. ~ Rob Wacey

Product Details

Release Date:	06/15/2018
Label:	Invada
UPC:	5051083123907

Tracks

1. What Do You Know?
2. Ambulance Chase
3. Approaching the Shimmer
4. Disoriented
5. The Alligator
6. For Those That Follow
7. The Swimming Pool
8. The Watchtower
9. Sheppard
10. The Body
11. Plant People
12. Cells Divide
13. The Bear
14. The Beach
15. Were You Me?
16. Lighthouse Chamber
17. The Alien
18. Annihilation

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ben Salisbury   Primary Artist,Guitar,Percussion,Electronics
Geoff Barrow   Primary Artist,Guitar,Percussion,Electronics
Eric Craig   Director
Jerry Crozier Cole   Guitar
Chamber Orchestra of London   Orchestra
Rsvp Singers   Choir/Chorus
Alison Gamer   Vocals
Elizabeth Purnell   Conductor
Judith Ogden   Vocals
Charlotte Newstead   Vocals

Technical Credits

Simon Ashdown   Sound Design
Jason Richmond   Coordination
Ben Salisbury   Composer,Producer
James Trevascus   Assistant Engineer
Stuart Mathews   Engineer
Adam Miller   Assistant Engineer
Shawn Joseph   Mastering
Elizabeth Purnell   Orchestration
John Bergin   Art Direction
Darrell Alexander   Coordination
Skip Williamson   Executive Producer
Rupert Coulson   Mixing
Nick Taylor   Engineer
Geoff Barrow   Composer,Producer
Randy Spendlove   Executive Producer,Executive in Charge of Music
Brian McNelis   Executive Producer
Gareth Griffiths   Contractor
Scott Rudin   Executive Producer
Yann McCullough   Editing