Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Gustavo Santaolalla, Mogwai – Before the Flood OST – Album Review by Killian Laher

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have developed a reputation since their soundtrack for 2010’s The Social Network as purveyors of creepy, brooding yet soothing electronica.  Reznor’s own track record dates back to assembling the soundtrack to 1994’s Natural Born Killers, where he weaved the whole thing together.  On this soundtrack for a film about climate change, they are joined by Argentinian composer Gustavo Santaolalla along with Mogwai.  Much of what’s contained here are variations on rather dark musical themes, exemplified by the understated opener and title track.  Elsewhere, chilly electronica prevails, piano is employed sparingly but devastatingly.  Mogwai’s contributions are probably the most ambient ever heard from this group.  Dust Bowl will feel reasonably familiar to anyone who enjoyed their recent soundtracks to Les Revenants and Atomic, though the guitars here don’t dominate.  Though Ghost Nets is almost Eno-like in its barely-there-ness, while Huaynaputina is pure electronica.  Their final contribution, After the Flood provides an apt conclusion.

Santaolalla’s contributions are more traditional soundtrack fare, Thin Ice and Trembling feature wintry violin, while on One More Step violins and keyboards are used to create unresolved tension.  His dark collaboration with Reznor and Ross, At Dusk is one of the more effective pieces here.  But Reznor and Ross’ pieces are at the centre, exemplified by And When The Sky Was Opened – great washes of keyboards introduced by piano, with disarmingly inviting backing vocals.  There is one vocal piece here, entitled A Minute To Breathe.  It’s vintage Reznor, up there with the best of his quieter work such as Nine Inch Nails’ A Warm Place. Reznor warns “we will all be judged by what we leave behind” as piano gradually builds into a bed of sound.

The music here doesn’t jump out at you and demand your attention, and no one instrument dominates.  But if you enjoyed Reznor and Ross’ previous soundtrack work, you’ll find this gets under your skin in much the same way.  And they do this thing better than anyone else.

Track List:

“Before The Flood” (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross + Gustavo Santaolalla) – 7:54
“A Minute to Breathe” (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 6:08
“Between Two Poles” (Gustavo Santaolalla + Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 8:07
“Dust Bowl” (Mogwai) – 2:51
“Thin Ice” (Gustavo Santaolalla) – 1:06
“And When the Sky Was Opened” (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 6:35
“Ghost Nets” (Mogwai) – 5:13
“Trembling” (Gustavo Santaolalla + Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 5:02
“One More Step” (Gustavo Santaolalla) – 3:33
“Huaynaputina” (Mogwai) – 6:40
“At Dusk” (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross + Gustavo Santaolalla) – 5:42
“Thin Ice Reimagined” (Gustavo Santaolalla + Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 6:09
“Disappearing Act” (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 3:53
“The Melting Pot” (Gustavo Santaolalla) – 2:06
“8 Billion” (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 8:42
“One Perfect Moment” (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 10:09
“A Minute Later” (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – 1:47
“After The Flood” (Mogwai) – 5:09
A Minute To Breathe: