Cinematic beauty in all aspects. Celebrated film composer Steven Price was initially brought onto the Gravity team as a consultant and after a creative discussion with the director was hired on as lead composer. The soundtrack being very sparse at times is slightly different from a conventional action film soundtrack. The usual fair of omnipresent Hollywood style over the top production is nearly entirely missing with the silence adding suspense and letting the story tell itself rather than the music being an emotional influence. Director Alfonso Cuaron was very adamant about what his goals were for the soundtrack stating, 'We knew we needed to express silence. We didn't want the score to be descriptive, but psychological and emotional. We composed a score which is expressive of surroundings. Here the music is moving around you all the time.' And that they did. Austin's film stalwarts Mondo are keen for detail and their past work has been nothing short of perfection. Their love for film, soundtracks, and screen printing shows in this deluxe 180g vinyl pressing of Steven Price's OST. The artwork is provided by illustrator Kevin Tong with the cover clearly showing the chaos that takes place in the film, but inside the gatefold sleeve we are treated to a more serene image of Earth with just a hint of danger. Keeping with the disorienting feel of the film Tong designed the spinners to feel as if they are weightless and lost in space with great effect. Limited edition so act fast.

• music label: Mondo 2014

reviewed by Earl On Film 09/2014