Rosa Morta vinyl

This rare "non-soundtrack" album from leading British composer Craig Armstrong is, as you'd expect, something of a beauty. It was written and recorded in collaboration with Scott Fraser (he of Deacon Blue fame, rather than the Glaswegian acid DJ of the same name) and was made almost entirely using vintage synthesizers and electronic instrumentation. As you might expect, it's still pretty cinematic in feel, with the duo crafting luscious instrumental pieces packed with mood and melody. There are subtle nods towards masters of the synthesizer-soundtrack (the title track is John Carpenter-esque, while "Geisha" sounds like Jonny Jewel jamming with Thomas Newman) and occasional audio references to more up-beat electronic fare, too. All in all, it's a sublime set.