Composer Michael Giacchino is releasing an album of Exotica-style covers of his scores for “Lost,” “Speed Racer,” the 2009 film “Star Trek,” Pixar’s “Up,” “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles” and more.
Due from pop culture collectibles company Mutant on 140-Gram vinyl and CD, Giacchino’s “Exotic Themes for the Silver Screen – Volume 1” will be released on streaming platforms, digital retailers and available for pre-order at independent record stores on July 26. The album features 24 tracks from the themes of the above films and television shows, as well as several others from across his more than 25-year career.
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“We’re excited to release a retrospective of his astonishing three decades as a composer,” said Spencer Hickman, co-founder of Mutant. “But rather than just curating a simple compilation of his previous works, Michael went back into the studio, rearranged and re-recorded every major theme from his career.” Inspired by the work of lounge-music luminaries Martin Denny and Les Baxter, the tracks were recorded in an easy-listening style that evokes the kitschy era of 1960s bachelor pads but also presents Giacchino’s body of work in a new and unique way.
“These newly recorded themes transport you to a far-off sunset, looking out at the ocean, complete with a cocktail in hand, providing a much-needed escape from the stress of modern times,” Hickman said.
“Exotic Themes for the Silver Screen – Volume 1” includes music from his early video game scores to his television hits and blockbuster films, transformed from their original arrangements via instruments like vibraphones and marimbas, the musical lexicon of the Exotica genre.
“This album was inspired by the work of Lyman and Denny,” Giacchino said. “What would they do with the ‘Star Trek’ theme? Or video games like ‘Medal of Honor’? It was a way for me to play in that world I loved so much growing up. I thought it would be fun to create a fantasy world, where this album was recorded back in 1967 and then lost, only to resurface today.”
Evidenced by the track “Enterprising Young Men,” taken from his sweeping score for J.J. Abrams’ 2009 reboot of “Star Trek,” the album showcases Giacchino’s unerring talent for melody, stripping down grand symphonies to their essential elements while retaining their aesthetic and emotional core. Check out that cue below:
“So much was rooted in the big orchestral sound, so it was really about scaling it back,” Giacchino explained. “The real trick is figuring out the little fun hooks and things you can add along the way. There were no rules; I was up for anything. It was a way to re-engage with the material and be creative in a new way.”
The first two singles from “Exotic Themes,” “LAX” from Lost and “Married Life” from Up, are available on Spotify now. The rest of the tracks will be released on streaming platforms July 26, to be followed in physical formats from Mutant featuring cover artwork by Luke Insect and liner notes from film score expert Charlie Brigden.
