John Powell's Score (and John Williams' Han Solo Theme)

OK, time for some (spoiler!) thoughts on the score. Here are my impressions after one viewing and approximately 2 full listens to the soundtrack...

I dig John Williams' theme for Han. It's quite minimalistic. It'll take some getting used to, but I can already tell it's good. I expected something more pronounced, but, after all, it's an "in-the-making" version of the character, so a rougher theme is quite fitting. Melodically, it reminds me of Poe's theme. The arrangement on the soundtrack ("The Adventures of Han") is great, some very cool sounds created with certain instrument combinations. The theme was used very well across the film, you can definitely feel its dominating presence.

Moving on to the proper score by John Powell - I have to say that, I'm not entirely happy with it. The main reason is the general style. It's a much more modern-sounding score than we're used to. Most notably in the percussion department. It's very typical for contemporary film music. There's a percussion pattern filling the space virtually all the time and it sounds so... again - typical for today's music. Example: "Meeting Han" around 0:48 mark. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like constant beats like this. They got boring.

It's pretty clear that these compositions were crafted using computer mock-ups, I feel like there's stuff that gives it away. I'm not saying it's a bad thing in itself, not at all. I just cherish the classical Star Wars sound of Williams' and Giacchino's work and I'm not fond of the departure in Solo. For example, the ending of "Flying with Chewie." This is not Star Wars music to me. I keep bringing this up, but I don't feel like Star Wars music has to be redefined to keep being fresh. There's so much you can do with the traditional vocabulary and using new stuff as addition, not basis.

The Bulgarian ethnic choir used in reference to Enfys Nest (for example in "Marauders Arrive") is a perfect example of a new, fresh element that can work with the traditional sound seamlessly. It was a really good addition. I love the sound of these voices. Powerful melody and primal vibe, which corresponds with Enfys very well. Definitely one of the highlights of the score.

"Lando's Closet" is actually a very nice love theme hidden under a goofy name. I really like it.

"Reminiscence Therapy" is a cool medley of old themes. Always nice to hear these. It was very effective in the movie, brought nostalgia where it absolutely fit.

A couple of weird decisions when it comes to Empire in the music. First of all, there's a statement of ANH Vader's theme in the "Train Heist" track. Didn't notice it in the film, but I imagine it must have been there for the range troopers or the probe droids. Either way - quite random. It was used perfectly in Rogue One (bacta scene). Secondly, Powell used the Death Star theme (well, the Death Star "chord") on that star destroyer shot during the Kessel Run. Again, weird choice, since it's clearly a Death Star thing. You can extend the meaning of a theme, but at some point it becomes a stretch. I think even a brief statement of the Imperial March would be better in this case.

I'll keep listening to the soundtrack, obviously. I will probably find more stuff to appreciate in it. It's definitely too early for final judgement. Huh, after I saw Rogue One for the first time, I felt totally underwhelmed by the music and now I consider that score a masterpiece... I also consider it far superior to the Solo score at this point.

 

Yeah, sounded like the Imperial March in major key. But I might be wrong, because I couldn't hear it clearly enough. It was something like this, I think:

I'm not a fan of the idea of using known themes as source music. It kind of breaks the fourth wall.

Btw. it just occurred to me that we'll probably have to wait for some "unreleased" tracks (from a FYC album) longer than usual, because previous films premiered closer to the Oscars. Let's hope Powell will share something sooner. I guess the Maul cue is going to be a popular request.

 

Score credits from John Powell's Facebook:



But it doesn't seem to be full, because the Bulgarian ethnic choir (from Enfys Nest's theme) isn't mentioned. It was in the credits.

As you can see, there are some composers credited with additional music. Personally, I prefer when one person does everything, I don't like when I can't be sure who's responsible for a given element in the score.

 

Sure about Giacchino? I've never heard about anybody associated with him. And if nobody heard about them, why assume there are some helpers?

But you know what I mean, right? If, for example, I see all the tracks are officially labeled with Powell's name, I would expect them to be 100% Powell. I like the comfort of knowing who I am crediting for certain stuff. And when I see there are multiple composers involved and I don't know what was their exact input - then it feels iffy. I also find it impressive when the music is a brainchild of one person (same goes for writers/directors - I always like when there's one person behind it all). But that's a bit of a different issue.

Yeah, Zimmer is like super notorious for this stuff. Credits on Pirates soundtracks are crazy. Some of my favourite tracks from Dead Man's Chest had some significant input from Zimmer minions and for the longest time I attributed all of it to him.

 

Personally (and I'm speaking from a musician's perspective, so maybe I'm biased), I just don't get that mode of writing. I mean - I know it works, especially on the Hollywood scale, but I wouldn't feel comfortable in such a joint creative process. I can't imagine not wanting to be responsible for every single element of the music during the writing process. I also find it... less respectable when there's a ton of ghost composers who don't even get a clear credit. Yes, yes, the role of additional composers is usually relatively small and the primary composer probably deserves the credit when he gets it, but I pay attention to details and I feel like I deserve to know who's to blame for that little thing that I don't like. Or that little thing I love.

By the way, sorry if I came across like I was arguing or something. I was just emphasising in my previous post. I know we're on the same page.