Back catalogue: Soundtracks

Review: For many people of a certain generation. Shawshank Redemption was the first grown-up film they ever saw which is why it is atop so many best-ever lists. No matter when you see it though, it remains a classic with an engaging story, great characters and an immersive soundtrack. To mark the 30th anniversary of the great movie, that soundtrack has now been pressed up on limited, numbered 180-gram audiophile black & white marbled vinyl with an insert. Plenty of the film's musical motifs and most memorable scenes feature and make for a great stand-alone listen.

Review: For most Star Wars fans, the spin-off series' and standalone films have been some of the best additions to the franchise. Now you can savour some of the excellent soundtrack work from those additions to the canon on one classily presented compilation. There are pieces from The Madalorian, Rogue One and Solo which will plunge you back into the expanded Star Wars universe, whether that's the good times with Grogu or tense missions with Jyn Erso you're reminded of. Presented in a gatefold sleeve and pressed onto 180 gram vinyl, this is a collectors' edition, no doubt about it.

Review: It's surprisingly not that common for a director to pick music for their movie. There are accomplished experts at scouring and sourcing the most powerful and moving tunes for cinema, and, of course, composers who have established themselves as maestros of silver screen scores. Luca Guadagnino is an exception to the rule, then, with his coming-of-age drama, Call Me By Your Name, soundtracked via his choices. And what choices they are. The film itself is beautiful and incredibly moving, adjectives which also apply to the accompanying sounds. From the theatrical pop of Loredana Berte, to the staggering instrumentation of Ryuichi Sakamoto and heartfelt cries of Sufjan Stevens, this collection of tones is as varied as it is captivating from beginning to end, and - whether you've seen the flick or not - deserves a place on everyone's shelf.

Review: Martin Scorsese's Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues series may not be the Academy Award-winning director's most famous contribution to popular culture, but the PBS documentary film saga, in which the legendary director takes us on a journey through the development of a sound he holds dear to his heart, is well worth looking for. Featuring luminaries such as John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, and more, each episode welcomes a different filmmaker, allowing them to refocus on artists they love. For this album spin-off, we centre attention on the mighty Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the most influential of all blues musicians who tragically died at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash. Although far younger than many of the greats he's often listed alongside, his exceptional abilities on the guitar, and often unique sonics, set him apart from almost anyone else, alive or dead. Listen to what we mean here.