The Great Gatsby Sountrack
Reviewed by Andi Bricklin
Ok I’ll admit it, I never even read the Cliff notes for The Great Gatsby when we were assigned the book to read in American Literature, so I only have a vague idea of what this story is about. That being said, the trailer for upcoming big screen version starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby has me itching to get to the movies!
Unusually so, the release of the soundtrack from the movie has also been just as anticipated as the movie itself. Recently, songs from the album were performed by Will.i.am as well as the American Idol final four contestants, so the buzz has been building and I was psyched to get a sneak peek/listen to the soundtrack.
First of all, the cover is beautiful (if you can ignore the Parental Advisory Explicit Content logo on the front). Gold and Black detailing that resembles the intricate ornamental design of a classic historical elevator doors. I almost get the feeling that the cover should slide open from the middle to reveal the disc itself. It’s fitting that the cover be an elevator door because every song on the album takes you to a different place.
The concept of the soundtrack is music from the 1920s, but with a modern twist, and it has been pulled off brilliantly. With big name stars like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Florence and the Machine, Jack White, Gotye and Will.i.am on the album, every song has mainstream appeal and hit written all over them.
The album is fun with jazzy songs, “Bang, Bang” and “Crazy in Love”, melancholy with the songs: “Young and Beautiful” and “Over the Love”, and the album finds it’s sinister side with “100$ Bill”, “No Church in the Wild” and “Kill and Run”.
One of the highlights of the album for me was “Where the Wind Blows” by Coco O. of the Danish duo Quadron. Her vocal contribution to the album is authentic, heartfelt and simply amazing. I’m excited to hear more from her in the future.
Download the soundtrack and get yourself in the mood for the movie which comes out this Friday, May 10, 2013.
Rating: 
