The Cold Equations: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Out Today

The release of the Morricone-esque soundtrack to an imaginary film The Cold Equations, has been announced today. Composed by Josh Urist and co-produced/arranged by Stuart Bogie (Superhuman Happiness, Antibalas, Arcade Fire, Iron and Wine, TV on the Radio), the album will be available on 180g vinyl and digital download today on Yeggs Records.

Inspired by a 1954 science fiction short story by Tom Godwin, this story follows a worker drone on a distant planet who hunts down the corrupt officials responsible for the death of his little sister. The music is emotional, evocative, and riveting-the movie, however, is fake. Listen and share the track "He Meant It The Way It Sounded" here and pre-order the record here.

Composer Josh Urist isn't the first musician to use the soundtrack-to-an-imaginary-film conceit, but he and his close-knit crew of musicians breathe new life into the idea. For his goal isn't kitsch or homage, but instead, the soundtrack concept gives the music an emotional tug that is as real as the film is fake.

Working with co-producer Stuart Bogie, Urist uses the visual language of film music to conjure moments with visceral impact. A Morricone-esque standoff; a frenetic Quincy Jones-style chase scene; cosmic soul in the vein of Air. While analog synths and drum machines give you the interstellar textures, the acoustic guitars and wind instruments provide the warmth and humor of a human heart beating in the airless vacuum of a distant galaxy.

Urist assembled a team of crack studio musicians to perform, many of them old friends from Urist's time as a music student in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Contributors include regular Urist collaborator and fellow Masters of Reality performer John Leamy (Masters of Reality, Surgery) drums; Colin Stetson (Ex Eye, Bon Iver) saxophones and french horn; David Cook (Taylor Swift, Lizz Wright, Alan Ferber, Jennifer Hudson) organ and pianos; Adam Roberts, bass; Jeff Plankenhorn, weissenborn guitar; Sarah Neufeld (Arcade Fire, Bell Orchestre) violin; and Rachel Webster (Bernie Worrell) vocals. Urist plays guitars, bass, pianos, vocals, banjo, jaw harp, trumpet, and the Roland GR-500 guitar synthesizer. Bogie plays saxophones, clarinets, drum machines, bass, piano, flute, harmonicas, jaw harps, and drums. Album art and design by John Leamy.

Yeggs Records Website