Finally reaching the interwebz earlier this week, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 Soundtrack is a bona fide behemoth. A triumph in harmonious amalgamation, the Lorde curated album is jam packed with A-list acts from all over the digital spectrum. Representatives from the pop, electronica, indie, hip-hop, and R&B scenes span the 14 ambitious tracks.
Not paying much mind to the first official single “Yellow Flicker Beat,” I became excited in the project after hearing “This Is Not A Game” from mainstays The Chemical Brothers aided by a vocal effort from Miguel. This otherworldly electro-powerhouse received the “on repeat” treatment for a good two months so I knew something grandiose lay ahead.
After a meticulous listen-through, two choice cuts stood out among the rest for me:
“All My Love”
Major Lazer, clearly playing off the dystopian themes of the source material, arrange fierce jungle rhythms with silky smooth synths giving the talented Ariana Grande a jumping off point to let her dulcet voice shine. The collaboration actually reminds me of Calvin Harris’ “Thinking About You” to some degree. And that’s a good thing.
“Meltdown”
Backed by an irrepressible beat from world-class producer Stromae, a who’s who of the industry trade verses and melodies. Much akin to Kanye West’s “All Of The Lights,” Pusha T, Q-Tip, and HAIM all join our conservator Lorde, culminating in one hell of an ensemble offering certain to gain traction as the paragon of the entire effort.
The Mockingjay, Part 1 Soundtrack is out November 17 via Republic Records.