Zac Efron as a DJ trying to make it in the valley. What’s not to love? Maybe I’ve just been watching too many of director Max Joseph’s Snapchats (yes, he’s from Catfish), but the hype for this movie seems to be increasing by the minute. Powerful energetic trailers showing a group of guys banding together, following an incredible dream that is almost impossible to achieve- success.
From the second I heard what this movie was about, I knew it would be killer. In this generation’s need for dope music, 6 pack abs, and a rags to riches story- it has the trifecta and I haven’t even seen it yet. BONUS: a dope soundtrack with music that makes you wish you had a million dollars to go blow at every EDM fest in the world.
The soundtrack features some electronic/dance newcomers as well as other talented artists: Erin McCarly, Pusha T, AlunaGeorge etc. One standout track is the alt-turned dance song “Desire” by the band Years and Years. This band specializes in electronic pop, but the Gryffin Remix gives “Desire” the push it needs into the dance world. “Open your arms and pray, to the truth that you’re denying, give in to the game, to the sense that you’ve been hiding”; poem-like lyrics are sweetly sung as the song builds into a mega-pulsating chorus.
The opening track of the album, “I Can Be Somebody” features smooth pop vocals from Erin McCarley. A beautiful track starting off the soundtrack the right way. While “BlackOut” serves as the next “Shots” 2.0 featuring Lil Jon himself. The vibe is party, party, party. A re-work of “You Know You Like It” by AlunaGeorge is also featured, taking a more layered twist -vocally. The movie track is heard in all its glory on Justice & Simian’s song obviously titled “We Are Your Friends”. 80’s synths and shouty vocals coax this song into being one of the best off the soundtrack.
August 28th and I have a date and it’s to see “We Are Your Friends” in theatres.
No, I haven’t read the books. No, I probably won’t. So don’t ask me. But…. THE FIFTY SHADES OF GREY SOUNDTRACK IS COMING OUT.
You guys, this is going to be the most EPIC soundtrack. It’s going to be released on Feb. 10th and the hype is unreal. I love soundtracks so much, especially when they are so beautifully done, like I assume this one is. The track listing has finally been released on iTunes and I have been obsessing over it ever since.
If you’re up to date, you’ve probably already heard the exquisite song “Earned It” by The Weeknd. This song could not be more divine if it had to be. A beautiful orchestra accompanies the subtle sensual vocals of singer Abel Tesfaye as he croons, “cause girl you’re perfect/ you’re always worth it/ and you deserve it/ the way you work it.” Tesfaye recently stated in a behind the scenes video for “Earned It” that his music and Fifty Shades of Grey are a “match made in heaven.” He also said, “If you listen to my album, even the past work I’ve done, it’s very Fifty Shades of Grey” which could be why he not only has one song on the soundtrack but two; the second is titled “Where You Belong”. Not to mention, Tesfaye’s falsetto literally could make any grown woman melt into a warm puddle. The music video for “Earned It” was just released and if you’re mentally prepared you can watch it below:
Another artist who was granted more than one song on the album…BEYONCE. Duh.
She lends her vocal prowess to her own songs, including a new remix of “Haunted” from her self titled album Beyoncé. “Haunted” happens to be one of my favorites off the Beyoncé, because of its diverse electronic sound mixed with heavy bass and monotonic vocals dealing with the pressures of life and later shifting into a fast paced fantasy. As usual, “Haunted” also has a strong amount of sex appeal; “You want me?/ I walk down the hallway/ You’re lucky/ The bedroom’s my runway/ Slap me/ I’m pinned to the doorway…” you get the point. This song werkkkkks.
Beyoncé also brings one of her classics back to life. That’s right, they are calling it “Crazy In Love” (the 2014 remix). If you’ve seen the trailer for Fifty Shades, you’ve probably already drooled over how flawless this song sounds (pun intended). Beyoncé slows down the song and brings a more romantic feel with muffled vocals and what sounds to be like a full orchestra accentuating every half whispered note escaping her lips. Here’s the trailer featuring the song, if you haven’t already seen it:
Sia makes an appearance on this album singing a song called “Salted Wound” which I can only predict is probably emotional perfection to the ears and I absolutely can’t wait to hear it.
Ellie Goulding comes back with her fairy-like vocals spreading the message of “Love Me Like You Do” in a powerful pop ballad with truly stunning lyrics. The video (released today) has footage from the movie and also shows Goulding with her usual gorgeous blonde waves caressing the camera with every angle. Check it out:
This album not only dabbles into a recent musical trough of artists, but revisits the past with classics like, “Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones, “I Put A Spell On You” covered by Annie Lennox, and “Witchcraft” by the incomparable Frank Sinatra. These songs will give the album a more wholesome feel, proving love songs can de diverse whilst still making a cinematic impact in the year of 2015. Being a Sinatra fan my whole life, I can only imagine where “Witchcraft” will fit into this movie (insert excited heart eyes emoji here). And “Beast of Burden” is probably one of the sexiest songs of the late 70’s. With lyrics like, “I’ll never be your beast of burden/ So let’s go home and draw the curtains/ Music on the radio/ Come on baby make sweet love to me.” I think it’ll fit in just fine…
Other songs feature the sweet Jessie Ware, powerful AWOLNATION, talented Skylar Grey, newcomers Vaults, soulful Laura Welsch, and composer Danny Elfman.
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