Sure you’ve seen the movie now multiple times but the amazing score deserves to be on an endless loop. The Solo: A Star Wars Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack delivers the goods!
With the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story in theaters this past week comes the addition of a new score to help pass the time until the home release later this year. The scores for these films are as enjoyable as the movie itself. In fact, they are even more so. It can be hard to fully appreciate the intricacies of the music as the brain is overloaded with visual stimuli as the story progresses on-screen. Star Wars is known for breathtaking views and heart-racing action and although the score enhances these moments much can be lost if not paying very close attention. And Solo: A Star Wars Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is certainly no exception!
With the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story in theaters this past week comes the addition of a new score to help pass the time until the home release later this year. The scores for these films are as enjoyable as the movie itself. In fact, they are even more so. It can be hard to fully appreciate the intricacies of the music as the brain is overloaded with visual stimuli as the story progresses on-screen. Star Wars is known for breathtaking views and heart-racing action and although the score enhances these moments much can be lost if not paying very close attention. And Solo: A Star Wars Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is certainly no exception!
The last Star Wars Story, 2016’s Rogue One, brought on a new composer, Micahel Giacchino, and Solo: A Star Wars Story is continuing the tradition of bringing new blood to the universe with John Powell. Powell has had an impressive career composing music for films like Antz, Shrek, The Bourne Identity, Hancock and the How To Train Your Dragon films.
With 20 tracks of Star Wars awesomeness now playing here’s what Solo: A Star Wars Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is offering.
The Adventures Of Han
The first track on the score is actually an exception to the rule for John Powell’s fantastic work.
It’s not composed by John Powell.
But worry not, it is in very capable hands; those of Star Wars music maestro John Williams.
Williams, who has written the music for the eight main Star Wars titles, wanted to give Han Solo his own iconic theme just as Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa each have theirs. It’s a track that is fitting for the young smuggler to-be in his days before he hooks up with the Rebel Alliance. Full of clashing symbols, horns and daring bravado much like the man himself it makes for a bombastic theme. The piece is of course a blend of new music but is a perfect match to the music composed for the original trilogy. So perfectly captured is the spirit of Han Solo that it would not be out of place if featured in A New Hope along with the rest of Williams music.
Meet Han
As the film opens the action begins with Han escaping danger and cruising the streets and alleyways of his home world Corellia. Meet Han is the first piece heard and ties Han’s theme in with a darker tone to compliment the seedy underworld setting. As Han navigates his speeder the Solo: A Star Wars Story logo comes into view over the skyline of the city and the music follows Han as he arrives at the lair of Lady Proxima. This slightly darker take on his theme projects an ominous feeling for what is about to take place.
Corellia Chase
A heroic and intense piece of music that accomplishes a couple things all at once beautifully. Now on the run from Lady Proxima and with her armed enforcer Moloch in pursuit the audience can now see the city in the full light of day as Han and Qi’ra race towards Coronet Spaceport. The scope of the city is much larger than a simple backdrop and the music captures its grandness and scale. As Han and Moloch try to outmaneuver each other on a bridge over water the tension that builds is as much due to the track as the action.
Spaceport
Spaceport is a slow buildup that includes some undertones from Han’s Theme as a daring attempt to get off planet is underway, It really captures the desperation of the moment in the film and climaxes in a heart-wrenching moment when the plan is tragically dashed on the rocks. The scene can be easily recreated in the mind with each note of Powell’s work here.
Flying With Chewie
After meeting for the first time with his future co-pilot this track follows the two from their escape on war-torn Mimban to the snowy world of Vandor. It opens as a more action packed piece for the first half and gives way to an emotionally stirring and hauntingly beautiful second half. Since it plays over a scene of the crew’s ship descending over stunning snow-peaked mountanins, with the sun in the distance, it has an ethereal quality. Very reminiscent of some traditional Celtic pieces of music.
Train Heist
Another stirring action piece, there are definitely some western style hints contained within, that would not seem out of place over more traditional train or wagon heist moments from films out of the 40’s and 50’s. It greatly captures the daringness of the job and emphasizes the high stakes involved.
Marauders Arrive
One of the most impactful and jarring tracks on the score it first plays here with the arrival of Enfys Nest and her Cloud Riders. The chanting heard during key moments sounds almost spiritual albeit with a tribal ferocity. It adds to the mystery behind Nest and her Marauders. Something else is there. These are not just a group of competing pirates. The closest example behind the vocals in Marauders Arrive is from the more upbeat Augie’s Great Municipal Band from The Phantom Menace. It feels like a representation or extension of Enfys’ culture but what that is has yet to be explored. Hopefully not for too much longer.
Chicken In The Pot
In the vein of Lapti Nek or Canto Bight, Chicken in the Pot is Solo‘s signature in-universe song. Set during the party on the crime boss Dryden Voss’ yacht this song is a smooth yet alien piece plucked from a different time. Lyrics aside it could well be heard in the background of any real world classic noir film.
Think James Bond but in space.
Is This Seat Taken?
A fun track, this one is the atmospheric tune that plays as Han and Lando gamble away at the famous Sabaac table in hopes of winning the others ship. The card game is high stakes and both play the game with a charm and confidence that resonates in this song. There is also a nod to a classic Star Wars theme hidden in here too towards the end but stops short of breaking into it. Just a small easter egg.
L3 & Millennium Falcon
The Millennium Falcon, seen many times before, has its first canonical appearance and the arrangement that John Powell has put together for its reveal is just breathtaking. It’s a slow buildup to the most beautiful rendition of the main Star Wars Theme ever heard. It is a brief burst but in a word it is simply majestic. Truly fitting for the famous ships reveal.
Lando’s Closet
This ballad is not quite as iconic, at least not yet, as Han and Leia’s Theme but nonetheless is a great musical interpretation of the love between Qi’ra and Han. It conveys a romance that is passionate but also bittersweet. The composers take on a forbidden love. It sweeps and sways much like Across the Stars did in the prequels and like that song forshadows that it may not be a happy ending for the pair.
Mine Mission
Action driven and with enough twists and turns much like the mines of Kessel that are being infiltrated by Han, Qi’ra and crew. Evident within is a clear and focused determination with multiple layers.
Break Out
This track captures the spirit of the scene, a massive break out from the mines of Kessel. Solo’s theme is weaved in for good measure as is some classic Star Wars call backs.
The Good Guy
Nothing on the Solo: A Star Wars Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is filler and this one is no exception. One of the more layered tracks on the album there are parts of some of the other key pieces of the film. It represents a lot of the literal themes of the movie coming together towards the end.
Reminiscence Therapy
Hands down the stand-out of the entire soundtrack. There is so much here and as the name would suggest it’s a trip down John Williams memory lane. It contains cues from A New Hope like the Rebel Fanfare and the Death Star as well as the Asteroid Field from The Empire Strikes Back. Just six minutes of pure Star Wars Nostalgia.
Into The Maw
Another very intense piece of music here. Loud, fluid and erratic. Just as you’d imagine a trip through a massive cloud of gas and rock would be. Some of the most famous cues from throughout the saga make their way into this track to give the listener the feel of being behind the yoke of the fastest ship in the galaxy.
Savareen Stand-Off
Enfys Nest’s theme returns here though slightly varied. A bit more melancholy. Deeper. In a sense, less aggressive and more resolved. A reflection of where the Cloud-Riders have been and where they are headed. There is also a darker undercurrent that is reminiscent of moments in Revenge of the Sith’s score.
Good Thing You Were Listening
If one word could describe this track it would be betrayal. It captures the heartbreak and hits home Beckett’s lesson; assume everyone will betray you and you will never be disappointed. Dark and brooding stuff right here.
Testing Allegiance
Much like the final moments of the film, Testing Allegiance serves to ramp up the energy of the final battle between Han, Qi’ra and Dryden Vos. It’s a worthy piece of music. Mostly action but also sprinkles in slower motifs for the parting of Han and his love.
Dice & Roll
A track fit for the finale! An uplifting track that crescendos triumphantly at that historical moment when Han Solo wins the Millennium Falcon. The film has its darker moments but the story is a fun and lighthearted adventure and the soundtrack also ends on the same note.
Solo: A Star Wars Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music is as much a part of the Star Wars saga as the actors, the costumes and the visual effects. It adds so much to the final product that these films could hardly be the endearing tales that they are without it. The soundtrack is just as integral, it has been for ALL the previous entries, and Solo: A Star Wars Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is no different.
Solo: A Star Wars Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available on Amazon, iTunes and Google Play as well as many other outlets.
Mike Harris hails from the suburbs of Chicago and has been a fan for most of his life. Working as an industrial radiographer and raising a family with his wife take up most of his time, but there’s always room for Star Wars books and podcasts! Just looking to give back to Star Wars and the fan community, it’s been a source of fun and learning for him for so long.