#Tron legacy soundtrack club how to#

This is superb music.īoth 'Rinzler' and 'The Game Has Changed' then take the score in a darker, more harshly percussive direction, evoking a much starker sense of danger and an imminent sense of battle. Mysterious minimalist synths open 'Armory', calling to mind the classic works of Vangelis and John Carpenter, and its followed by the dreamy 'Arena' that opens into a vast, bold soundscape that is brilliantly cinematic. Beginning with pulsating electronics atop choppy staccato strings, gradually more and more layers are added, building into a terrific statement of defiance. 'Son of Flynn' begins with synths above noble horn lines before a rhythmic action track takes over in 'Recogniser'. There's even a segment of narration from Jeff Bridges' character Kevin Flynn. The main theme again gets a dramatic reprisal in its electronic form, showcasing its malleability. 'The Grid' is a heavily electronic piece with a distinctly rhythmic synthpop beat. The score is built around a powerful, heroic theme that is first introduced on low horns at the start of 'Overture' (lovely to see a recent score with one of those) before it gets a spine-tingling electronic statement in the second half of the track, one that concludes with a spectacular timpani-led crescendo. First and foremost, they were sure to pay due deference to Wendy Carlos, whose pioneering work on the original Tron, not to mention other 1980s films such as The Shining, earned her a place in film music history. Working with regular Zimmer collaborator Gavin Greenaway (who conducted the score) and arranger/orchestrator Joseph Trapanese, Daft Punk made it very clear that the score was designed as an homage to numerous composers and film scores. The two elements (synth and orchestra) are both beautifully handled, resulting in a score that's possessed of a unique, thrilling texture. Refreshingly and perhaps surprisingly given their background, they commit to the Jerry Goldsmith school of thought which is that, for all the electronic bells and whistles, the orchestra should never be sacrificed. That's a staggering amount of time rarely accorded to most film composers who, if anything, must often work on an accelerated schedule of months or even weeks.īut while there's no denying that those two years clearly afforded Daft Punk the time to hone and refine the score, what really resonates is their innate feeling for cinematic themes and notable musical building blocks that give the score a sense of structure. However, it is important to highlight the issue of time: the French twosome were given two years to work on the score, from pre-production to post. Hans Zimmer's Inception (another 2010 release) may have snagged more of the limelight (if only because it was attached to a much better film) – but Daft Punk's work is light years ahead in terms of texture, soundscape and innovation.

#Tron legacy soundtrack club how to#

Put simply, Tron: Legacy is a cutting edge example of how to incorporate electronics with an orchestra. Eventually they were signed, although Daft Punk had to turn down a chance to score Gaspar Noe's Touching the Void in the process. The film's producers had initially approached the duo in 2007 but they were unavailable due to touring commitments. Daft Punk's cinematic sensibility therefore made them an inspired, if unexpected, choice to score Tron: Legacy and director Kosinski should be applauded for his astute musical understanding. The duo are also famous for their sense of theatricality during their live shows, which often incorporate story components and disguises (they are frequently seen wearing helmets, which adds to their mystique). Comprised of French electronic musical duo Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Honem-Cristo, Daft Punk achieved massive popularity through their house-synthpop style and hit club singles like 'One More Time' and 'Harder Better Faster Stronger' (later sampled by Kanye West).

Like Kosinski behind the camera, it was their debut film score. The film is also noteworthy for featuring a CGI 'de-aged' version of Jeff Bridges as the central villain – although Bridges stars in his human form as well.Īside from the special effects and technical aspects of the production, the most noteworthy aspect of the film is the sublime, outstanding score by Daft Punk. The original Tron capitalised on every geek's fantasy – what if you could disappear inside a video game? Unsurprisingly, the mega-budget sequel improves on the blocky graphics of old and conjures a sleek, neon-inflected world that is a marvel to behold. A visually extraordinary and belated sequel to the 1982 cult hit Tron, Joseph Kosinski's Tron: Legacy (2010) famously only took 64 days to shoot – but post-production lasted a staggering 68 weeks! Even more amazingly, it was the director's film debut.