Back catalogue: Classical

Review: Few artists have had such a global impact on electronic music than Thomas Bangalter, the legendary DJ, producer and songwriter who is best known as one-half of the former dance titans Daft Punk. He has many more skills up his sleeve though as he has proven since leading the duo. One is writing soundtracks such as this one, Chiroptera, for Acte 2: Retour a la Caverne, which was a JR creation with choreography from Damien Jalet. It was performed in Paris in front of the Opera de Paris (Opera Garnier) on November 12th, 2023 and involved more than 150 dancers. You can now relive it musically with this limited 12".

Review: A lush and evocative blend of orchestral grandeur and dreamy 80s synth work, this soundtrack is a sonic journey into steamy sci-fi. The opening theme glides effortlessly between delicate baroque flourishes and pulsing electronic rhythms, setting the tone for an adventure that is both mysterious and seductive. Sweeping string arrangements intertwine with shimmering synthesisers, evoking a sense of exotic wonder while maintaining an undeniable sense of nostalgia. The compositions balance classical sophistication with experimental textures, capturing the film's mix of pulp adventure and fantasy-tinged eroticism. Tracks shift from ethereal, atmospheric moments to more urgent, rhythm-driven passages, mirroring the story's dramatic turns. The use of vintage synth tones alongside lush orchestration results in a sound that feels both timeless and unmistakably rooted in its era. Remastered from pristine stereo master tapes, this edition restores every intricate detail with warmth and clarity. An exquisite rediscovery of an underrated gem.

Review: Welcome to hell. Coinciding with the popular release of the first ever film in the franchise, the original score for the 2023 fantasy adventure film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves finally drops via Mercury. Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, and based on the myriad tabletop game, the film follows a group of thieves who embark on a quest to steal a legendary artifact from a powerful wizard. Composed by composer Lorne Balfe, the soundtrack is monumental, with a whopping 49 tracks of epic, dark-fantastical music blending an impressive array of orchestral and electronic elements. There's also a credits version of 'Wings of Time' by Tame Impala on there.

Review: When a Yeti is killed by a group of Sherpa, a bunch of university scientists travel out to Nepal in the hope of discovering where the creature came from. There, they team up with a rough and ready tracker, and head out from a remote village into the great white wilderness beyond. Avalanches, prehistoric species, and ancient hominids and alien reptiles all follow as the plot thickens and freezes. If you didn't catch The Primevals when it first arrived on screens, we implore you to watch the 2023 animated sci-fi action romp. Stop motion animator David Allen co-wrote and directed it, spending more than 50 years on the development which sadly completed after he died. It's a family friendly epic that looks gorgeous and plays out compellingly, thanks in no small part to the Richard Bland soundtrack. An homage to the great adventure epics that once defined cinema, the score is classic cinematic stuff, a classical overture of bombastic chase sequences, serene harmonies and pin-drop tension.

Review: Star Trek Picard is a TV series that has been as healed for its great soundtrack as much as any of the on screen action. The award winning British composer Stephen Barton (also known for his work on Star Wars Jedi Fallen) is behind it and his work on the third season might be the best yet. Pulled out of retirement once more, Jean-Luc Picard (played by the legendary Patrick Stewart) seeks help from Captain Riker to answer a distress call and uncovers a conspiracy reaching to the furthest corners of the Federation as well as the unwelcome return of an old foe. Thematic is dramatic, absorbing and emotive and is all captured on this record.

Review: Musician, writer and sometime member of Kraftwerk Karl Bartos wrote The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari as a tribute to the iconic 1920 silent horror film whose original music score had long been lost. Through electronic compositions, Bartos skilfully captures the eerie atmosphere and psychological depth of the movie, enhancing its haunting narrative with his sonic reinterpretation. The album immerses listeners in a world of suspense and mystery, blending ominous synth melodies with pulsating rhythms and cinematic soundscapes. Bartos' masterful fusion of retro-futuristic aesthetics and contemporary electronic music was made after he dug deep into his own archives to recreate epics he wrote as a young classical musician and offers an all-new perspective on the original soundtrack.

Review: Original soundtrack for Past Lives, featuring an original score by Christopher Bear and Daniel Rossen, as well as the original song 'Quiet Eyes' by Sharon Van Etten. One of the foremost romantic films of the 2020s so far, Past Lives is set in Seoul, SK, and follows two beloved childhood friends over the course of 24 years; detailing the personal trials, love triangles and vagaries that inevitably stem from a romance torn apart in childhood and brought back together again in adulthood. Bear and Rossen's soundtrack is pressed on cloud white vinyl, with original paintings by renowned artist Na Kim.

Review: The new Disney+ TV miniseries Agatha All Along sees Kathryn Hahn reprise her role as Agatha Harkness, a central superheroine and witch of the Marvel Comics universe. A sequel to the live-action miniseries WandaVision, Agatha All Along charts Harkness' travails of escape and persecution, in a contemporary magic realist narrative blending witch coven and superhero themes. Here the soundtrack to the new series appears in tasteful and fitting fashion and in LP format, featuring such well-chosen as 'Hava Nagila' by Traditional, 'Visions' by Plastic People, 'Season Of The Witch' by Donovan and 'Heads Will Roll' by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Review: Music on Vinyl gives the full treatment to Volker Bertelmann's epic score to All Quiet On The Western Front and serves it up on limited and numbered 180-gram audiophile transparent smokey vinyl with a four-page booklet featuring movie still to boot. Set during World War I, the film follows an idealistic young German soldier and received a leading 14 nominations at the 76th British Academy Film Awards, including one for Best Original Score. It is a truly immersive listen that captures the range of emotions conveyed in the film.

Review: Rug Island, pressed on sunset orange vinyl, is the latest musical adventure from Bluey, following the success of Dance Mode! and featuring 16 brand new tracks from the beloved series. Crafted by Joff Bush and the Bluey Music team, the album draws from episodes across seasons 1, 2, and 3, inviting listeners to explore the boundless imaginations of Bluey and Bingo. Inspired by the Rug Island episodeia whimsical place where children's fantasies come alive and adults reconnect with their inner childithis album brings that playful spirit to life. Highlighted singles include 'Octopus,' a dynamic rock collaboration with King Stingray, the lively 'Onesies,' and the fresh 'Bluey Theme Tune (Vocal Version).' Other standout tracks include the nostalgic 'Fairytale,' the sea shanty-inspired 'Explorers,' the energetic 'Muffin Drive,' and the tender 'Turtleboy.' The album sleeve features a scene from Rug Island, with a reverse side that connects to previous releases, forming a panoramic view of the Heeler family's home. Rug Island is a delightful addition to any Bluey fan's collection, full of joy and imagination.

Review: When it comes to classical and orchestral worlds things often look painfully whitewashed and very male dominated, at least in so far as conduction goes. Talk about understatements. Enter Jongnic Bontemps, one name on a growing list of incredible talent changing that stereotype up for the better. Schooled in church and jam music, formally educated in classical, to date he has been responsible for no less than 50 significant projects spanning video games, cinema, TV series, shorts and documentary films. His contribution to Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is emblematic of his dexterity, a collection that shifts between bombastic and high tech, machines supporting brass and string crescendos, then quiet, patient, and at times tense work, marking him out as a true musical storyteller extraordinaire.

Review: Tricatel presents a stunning gatefold vinyl release featuring Bertrand Burgalat’s lavish compositions for this series. Known for his sophisticated and genre-blurring approach to music, crafts a score that balances classic revue traditions with a fresh, contemporary sensibility. Marc Fitoussi, having worked with Burgalat on Les Apparences, recognised his ability to create authentic cabaret-style music reminiscent of legendary venues like Paradis Latin and Alcazar while also capturing the energy of modern nightlife. The result is a soundtrack that fluidly moves between vintage theatrical elegance and contemporary dancefloor charm, mirroring the series' exploration of performance and reinvention. The score's connection to the rich tradition of backstage musicals, from 42nd Street to Chorus Line is fully evident. Much like these classics, Ça, c'est Paris! follows a troupe striving to put on a show against all odds. Burgalat’s compositions encapsulate this spirit, infusing his signature harmonic complexity and inventive tonal shifts to bring Fitoussi’s vision to life. His music not only underscores the drama but also breathes new vitality into the time-honored genre.