Whisperings of Sofia Coppola`s Somewhere soundtrack

If I was an envious person, I would envy Sofia Coppola. She is not only the epitome of cool, but has a spirit and intellect about her that emanates and exudes out her persona and completely into her writing and film making. Everything is intricately crafted and relentless tweaked; no detail is spared and the end results are inconceivably incredible. With the splendour that is Coppola’s filmography, I expect no less from this new original screenplay Somewhere. Delving into the dynamics of a father and daughter couple unexpectedly cleaved together, this soundtrack represents the dichotomous life choices that face a stagnant and lethargic man. Frivolity versus responsibility, accountability versus recklessness and innocence versus disillusionment are eerily present on this soundtrack and are fun and perplexing to listen to.  The music serves not only as a separate character but a driving force that helps clarify and create a mood, scene or idea within the film and for that, Coppola’s soundtracks are always the hybrid and essence of hip and genius.

The supposed soundtrack for Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere at first seems just an eclectic mix, but on second glance it is really the musical interpretation of character revelations, visual landscapes, washed-up crises, familiar acquaintances or dirty, guttural thoughts. The regular line up of the Strokes, Phoenix and William Storkson coupled with could-be regular the Police are juxtaposed nicely against left field additions like Gwen Stefani and Amerie. I imagine this soundtrack is trying to mimic the estranged relationship between father and daughter using artist like Stefani and Amerie to capture the excitement of Los Angeles and naivety of youth, while artists like T.Rex and Bryan Ferry tell the tale of realistic adult neuroses and existential predicaments.

The highlight: the Strokes, I’ll try anything once. The use of this song perfectly exemplifies the tone and vision of this film: lacklustre life newly blossomed interesting. The song is a bit haunting and remorseful, but the simplicity and scarcity of instrumentation as well as strained and fatigued vocals make it uplifting and charming. An aching heartbreak that you are sure will mend itself eventually and independently.

As with all of Coppola’s films, this soundtrack echoes the feelings of a form of youth disenfranchisement and terminal wanderlust. The idea of being less than is always apparent in her films and is duplicated and reinforced through the soundtrack while the songs play along and inside the film and when they are objective and separate. Phoenix`s Love Like a Sunset epically bookends these collective thoughts and adds an air of consistency and finality that polishes the soundtrack while still keeping it expressive, raw and emotive.

I enjoyed that the soundtrack seemed slightly universal—anyone could grasp the explicit feelings generated from each song—while also being different and distinct. It was interesting and unique, much like Coppola`s past films, not resting on tried comparisons and soundtrack classics. If changes happen to occur on the listings I am sure it can only improve the already well mapped and executed musical explanation that is this compilation.

1. Love Like a Sunset Part I – Phoenix
2. Ghandi Fix – William Storkson
3. My Hero – Foo Fighters
4. So Lonely – The Police
5. 1 Thing – Amerie
6. 20th Century Boy – T.Rex
7. Cool – Gwen Stefani
8. Che si fa – Paolo Jannacci
9. Cool – Gwen Stefani
10. Teddy Bear – Romulo
11. Love Theme From Kiss – Kiss
12. I’ll Try Anything Once – The Strokes
13. Look – Sebastian Tellier
14. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – Bryan Ferry
15. Massage Music – William Storkson
16. Love Like A Sunset Part II – Phoenix

– Kaitlin McNabb