Soundtrack Review: DJANGO UNCHAINED

Is it too soon to predict what the greatest film of 2013 is?  Those who are answer yes may just not have seen  Quentin Tarantino's latest masterpiece, Django Unchained.

Leonardo Dicaprio is both charming and
terrifying as Calvin Candie

The film is, in a classic Tarantino style, is a mashup of a genres and the soundtrack is no different.  From heart wrenching spanish ballads, to deep hip hop,  to one bad ass James Brown track featuring 2Pac, the music hits the nail on the head in every scene drawing the viewer into Django's story, his past and his revenge.

With western themes appropriately featured throughout the soundtrack, the collaboration of genres and languages means that the music is always keeping you on your toes, wanting to know what's going to be next, or rather who?

"Freedom" by Anthony Hamilton and Elaya Boynton encapsulates Django's position at the beginning of the film.  Constant repetition lyrically paired with rhythmic percussion that reflects the sound of stomping, - heavy chained steps - matched with deep male backing vocals which could almost be mistaken for groans, takes you back to the 1850's and the struggle that so many slaves  faced every day.

A particularly interesting and entertaining attribute of the DJANGO UNCHAINED soundtrack album are the dialogue clips featured between the emotive songs, telling the story as it would be told if you were watching the movie, adding emphasis and purpose to these already powerful tracks. 

John Legend features on the album performing "Who did that to you?"  A deep track driven by an organ in a slight twist from Legend's traditional instrument of choice.  Django's story is tale of revenge and this song in particular see's two different sides of this tale.  Anyone who has seen the Django Unchained trailer (below) will know that there is a somewhat romantic element to the story - without giving too much away, Django is searching for his wife.  In Legend's track we are lead to wonder whether this song is directed towards Django's love or Django himself.

The standout track (and there's always one) is the James Brown and 2Pac mash up "Unchained (The Payback/Untouchable)".  When this track comes on in the film,  Jamie Foxx has never looked so good.  Sampling, what will be in years to come, a stand out one liner from all of Tarantino's films, "i like the way you die, boy," these horns and quick spit lyrics will have you feeling your own satisfaction's from Django's revenge.  It's so dirty.  Dirty satisfaction.

Unsurprisingly, the composer behind the Django Unchained theme has worked with Tarantino before on both Kill Bill films.  Teaming up with Robb Boyd, behind the soundtrack listing of action films such as the X men and Fast and Furious series joined by Mary Ramos - who had also worked on previous Taratino films including Pulp Fiction and Inglorious Basterds - it's no surprise that this soundtrack has come out as fantastic as it has. 

If you are yet to see this movie I strongly encourage you get along asap,  and after you walk out, reflect on how the music contributed to the story, and think about the last time music has done that in a movie for you. 

Django Unchained is currently screening throughout Australia. 

Django Unchained Soundtrack - Track Listing

1. Winged
2. Django (main Theme) – Luis Bacalov, Rocky Roberts
3. The Braying Mule – Ennio Morricone
4. In That Case, Django, After You…
5. Lo Chiamavano King (his Name Is King) – Luis Bacalov, Edda Dell’orso
6. Freedom – Anthony Hamilton & Elayna Boynton
7. Five-thousand-dollar Nigga’s And Gummy Mouth Bitches
8. La Corsa (2nd Version) – Luis Bacalov
9. Sneaky Schultz And The Demise Of Sharp
10. I Got A Name – Jim Croce
11. I Giorni Dell’ira – Riz Ortolani
12. 100 Black Coffins – Rick Ross
13. Nicaragua – Jerry Goldsmith Featuring Pat Metheny
14. Hildi’s Hot Box
15. Sister Sara’s Theme – Ennio Morricone
16. Ancora Qui – Ennio Morricone And Elisa
17. Unchained (the Payback/untouchable) – James Brown And 2pac
18. Who Did That To You? – John Legend
19. Too Old To Die Young – Brother Dege
20. Stephen The Poker Player
21. Un Monumento – Ennio Morricone
22. Six Shots Two Guns
23. Trinity (titoli) – Annibale E I Cantori Modern