It’s not often that we review a movie soundtrack, but this anachronistic accompaniment to Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming film is an exception. As music is so important to Fitzgerald and Luhrmann, and with Jay (Z, not Gatsby) as executive producer, this is an ‘event-album’ rather than simply a soundtrack.
As far as original tracks on the album go, it opens with Jay-Z’s impressive and brooding ‘$100 Bills’. Also notable are the stunning ‘Young and Beautiful’ by Lana Del Rey and ‘Over the Love’ by Florence and the Machine. There are a couple of jazz/‘EDM’ mash-ups, ranging from Will.I.Am’s surprisingly charming ‘Bang Bang’ to Fergie’s ‘A Little Party Never Killed Nobody’, which is annoying beyond belief.
We are also treated to a number of new and imaginative covers. Emeli Sande’s version of ‘Crazy in Love’, recorded with the Bryan Ferry Orchestra is a pleasantly clunky mix of brassy jazz and R&B. Undoubtedly, the most controversial and polarising track is ‘Back to Black’, covered by Beyonce featuring Andre 3000. Wonderfully dark and sexy, Andre 3000’s vocals carry a sense of agony that works perfectly with Beyonce’s flawless voice.
The album communicates the lavish enthusiasm and energy of the story whilst also working as gloriously eccentric standalone album.