Throughout the course of a given year, I typically compile a 50-70 song long playlist of film score tracks that stand out from recently released films. While 2016 may have been lacking as a year for film as a whole, it produced an unusually high number of outstanding film scores. This year’s score playlist was nearly 120 songs long.
While the year’s critic awards seem to be bouncing back and forth between Jackie and La La Land, I wanted to acknowledge some of the other incredible film scores that made 2016 such an exceptional year for the category but have yet to receive as much attention as they deserve. Links are attached for each song. Enjoy.
15. Captain Fantastic, Alex Somers
Best Track: Fortress
Other Amazing Tracks: Memories
14. Deepwater Horizon, Steve Jablonksy (you think I’m kidding, but give this a listen outside of the film)
Best Track: Home
Other Amazing Tracks: Taming the Dinosaurs
13. Jackie, Mica Levi
Best Track: The End
Other Amazing Tracks: Walk to the Capitol
12. Arrival, Johann Johannsson
Best Track: Heptapod B
Other Amazing Tracks: Transmutation at a Distance
11.High Rise, Clint Mansell
Best Track: Silent Corridors
Other Amazing Tracks: “Somehow, the High Rise played into the most pretty impulses”
10. Hell or Highwater, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
Best Track: Lord of the Plains
Other Amazing Tracks: Comancheria II
9. Hacksaw Ridge, Rupert Gregson-Williams
Best Track: Praying
Other Amazing Tracks: Okinawa Battlefield
8. Indignation, Jay Wadley
Best Track: Can You Hear Me?
Other Amazing Tracks: I Promise
7. Manchester by the Sea, Leslie Barber
Best Track: Manchester by the Sea Chorale
Other Amazing Tracks: Manchester Minimalist Piano and Strings
6. The Jungle Book, John Debney
Best Track: Mowgli Wins the Race
Other Amazing Tracks: The Jungle Book Closes
5. Moonlight, Nicholas Britell
Best Track: The Middle of the World
Other Amazing Tracks: End Credits Suite
4. Midnight Special, David Wingo
Best Track: Marshland
Other Amazing Tracks: New World, Midnight Special Theme
3. Swiss Army Man, Andy Hull & Robert McDowell
Best Track: Montage
Other Amazing Tracks: Intro Song, Finale
2. La La Land, Justin Hurwitz
Best Track: Epilogue
Other Amazing Tracks: Planetarium, City of Stars (Humming)
1. The Little Prince, Hans Zimmer, Camille & Richard Harvey
Best Track: Escape
Other Amazing Tracks: Draw Me a Sheep, Preparation
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