Young Adult Mag is excited as can be about the film adaptation of John Green’s seriously tearjerking novel about two teenaged cancer patients who meet at a support group and learn about love and life. To celebrate the film’s release next month, we got our hands on the soundtrack and had a listen. Check out our write up below.
All of the Stars – this is a seminal love song by British artist Ed Sheeran, which is all about what it means to fall in love. It seems pretty fitting for the story of two lovelorn teenagers embarking upon their first adventure together. And we have fallen in love … with this track!
Simple as This – Jake Bugg has an anachronistic style which brings to mind sixties rockers The Kinks or the Hollies. We love the retro feel of this song and the chord formulation of the guitar that accompanies Jake’s vocal. Simple and sweet, just like the man says.
Let Me In – this is another down tempo guitar dittie, albeit with a joint male/female vocal, which adds a frisson of romance. The writers have thrown in a few screeching guitar sections but even so, this is definitely one of the less dynamic numbers on the album.
Tee Shirt – Teen songstress Birdy has a very special vocal talent, and this song is about meeting somebody for the first time and slowly becoming absorbed by all the tiny details that make a person feel real. The production is so simple that you can hear all the delicacy of the guitar plucking, which reflects the tender message of the song. Something tells me that this song is going to accompany a tearjerking moment in the movie.
All I Want – Kodaline gives us more of the same; downbeat guitar and piano chords, although he has soaring vocals that add a haunting quality to the song. Our verdict: not bad, but definitely blends in rather than standing out.
Long Way Down – This track is has a somewhat soporific effect; it almost melts into the previous track because it has much the same lull and a very simple piano accompaniment. It is indeed a long way down … when you’re falling asleep.
Boom Clap – the lady who recently collaborated with Iggy Azalea on Fancy brings it with another catchy, anthemic tune. Not quite the fizzfest that we got on Charli XCX’s previous effort but Boom Clap has plenty of guts and is a surefire stadium hit. This is definitely an invigorating track that nicely counterbalances the understated, melancholic feel of the previous few songs on the album.
While I’m Alive – D.I.S.C.O. from STRFKR! This track has got a strong groove to it, serviced by the confident bassline and a ‘why the hell not’ drum breakdown halfway through. The lyrics also definitely reflect the vibe fired out by the happier moments in the film about making the most of life while you still can. A definite winner.
Oblivion – this word pretty much sums up how I feel about this track by Indians. A dreamy, up in the clouds offering from Danish producer Indians. It’s mercifully short, but is another track that forms part of the cohesive fabric of the album rather than being a turn-to track. A not particularly bold or evocative number.
Strange Things Will Happen – The Radio Department assures us. This is a beautiful song that offers an empowering message and offers up a nod to emboldenment in the lyric ‘today I didn’t even try to hide’. Perhaps a particularly salient song lyric in a film which is aimed at teenagers, telling them that during these formative years in their lives, they should dare to be more. The singer is sublime, which definitely reinforces the strength of the message.
Bomfalleralla – Afasi and Filthy show us how Dutch people get down on this infectious track. I haven’t a clue what they are saying but their rhyming is rapid and fluent and this track provides a welcome change of pace, as it’s perhaps one of the only danceable numbers on the album. Hey, I’d shout along if I could!
Without Words – Once again, Ray LaMontagne doesn’t disappoint with his rich voice, but for all his stellar vocal performance he doesn’t appear to have learned any new chords on the guitar. If it ain’t broke, why fix it eh Ray?
Not About Angels – another song that is just as attention grabbing as Birdy’s other efforts on the album. There is a lot more Tori Amos about this track, but once again Birdy’s vocal range does not disappoint, nor does the sheer sophistication of her song writing abilities given her young age.
No One Ever Loved – Lykke Li. From the first words that cross her lips, Lykke Li’s timbre is unmistakable. Another weepy number on an album of weepy numbers. It’s written about how it feels to loose your one true love, so if you weren’t feeling suicidal from the subject matter of the film, this song is going to do its darndest to push you over the edge.
Wait – M83 – this dream pop number is certainly a lot less energetic than previous efforts off their 2012 album. That said, it boasts an uplifting chorus and a riotous vocal.
Best Shot – Birdy nails it again, this time with the help of Jaymes Young. This is a very sweet duet that lets us know that we’ve always got a friend. It nicely reinforces the themes of the film and offers a sliver of hope to finish on. Let’s hope the movie gives us something equally sweet to hold onto at the end.