A good soundtrack tells a story. It picks the listener up from where they are at and transports them to somewhere different. Through the notes and melodies it stimulates the imagination and the heart in a way that only music can do. A good soundtrack should make the listener feel something. For decades the music of John Williams has been doing just this. Whether it was Indiana Jones, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind or the original Star Wars; John Williams has told countless stories through his music. On December 15, 2017 the soundtrack for Star Wars: The Last Jedi was released, along with the movie. This is a soundtrack that will most likely go down as a fan favorite for Star Wars fans.
The Pros
Star Wars soundtracks have a certain feel to them. They don’t just tell a story, they paint a very grand picture of the galaxy far, far away. There is a grandeur to these soundtracks that paints a modern picture today in the style of the masters from yesterday. In his Star Wars: The Last Jedi soundtrack, John Williams continues this rich legacy. As he does this, he weaves themes both old and new into his musical storytelling. The result is a soundtrack that helps move the Star Wars story forward while also connecting to the past. This is a soundtrack that can be listened to straight through and have it trigger memories of the movie through the musical moments. In fact, it does this so successfully that I would suggest not listening to it before seeing Star Wars: The Last Jedi. There are enough musical clues in there that someone could figure out some potential spoilers from the movie. All this to say, this musical storytelling at its best by the best.
The Cons
The soundtrack to Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a very solid piece of work. One thing I would nitpick on this release is the decision to again not use the London Symphony Orchestra. It is the best of the best, while this was recorded from an incredibly talented group of freelance musicians that John Williams has worked with in Hollywood through the years. It is very very good. However, it just doesn’t have the same level of majesty that the London Symphony Orchestra brings to the table. This is incredibly nitpicky and at some level, personal preference. My other critique is that a double disc album wasn’t released on opening day. I would love to be able to listen to MORE of this magnificent score!
Final Thoughts
John Williams’ soundtrack for Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a masterpiece. Having listened and re-listened to it several times now, I do think it is one of his strongest soundtracks in recent memory. A quick memory jog going back and I would have to put it into the category of the original Star Wars trilogy or Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This soundtrack captures everything that is going on in the movie and adds depth to the storytelling in a way only Williams can do. It flows beautifully. It captures the moments. Oh, and most importantly, it is very enjoyable to listen to. Definitely go out and download/buy this one. If you enjoy movie scores, you will love this one! John Williams has done a fantastic job with this and after hearing it I’m even more excited to hear what he comes up with for the Star Wars: Episode IX!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Album on Spotify
Here is the soundtrack for Star Wars: The Last Jedi as found on Spotify. If you do not want ANY SPOILERS at all, do not read the track titles below. While this doesn’t give direct spoilers, it could give clues that could lead to discovery. The album will be placed below the photo to help prevent any potential spoilers. If you do choose to proceed, enjoy this soundtrack! I know I did!
