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The motion picture soundtrack to the latest Hunger Games film, Mockingjay, saw a pre-film release date of November 19. Earlier this year it was revealed that Lorde would be curating the record as well as lending her own talents to the soundtrack. The finished product is a focused and singular effort comprised of immaculately produced tracks.

The album comes careening out of the gate with first track ‘Meltdown’. The unlikely collaboration of Pusha T, Q Tip, HAIM, Lorde, and Stromae is a surprisingly fast paced and sprawling production. There is nothing subtle about the track. Hard hitting and well produced, this initial song is a winning start for the record.



From there, CHVRCHES’ glimmering 80s inspired ‘Dead Air’ helps set an interest pace for the record, leading into the similarly constructed ‘Scream My Name’.

Relative newcomer, Raury’s effort entitled ‘Lost Souls’ is a nice punctuation for the record, dragging it away from the markedly fast paced, high intensity vibe of the first part of the album. Fresh faced and only recently signed, Lorde’s choice to bring the 18 year old Georgia native on the board is not only super cool but really apt for the record as well.

Lorde’s own ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’ and the subsequent Kanye West re-work round out the record alongside Bat For Lashes, XOV, Miguel, and The Chemical Brothers. XOV’s ‘Animal’ is an interesting inclusion. Very much belonging in the realm of electro-infused hip hop, the track carries a distinctly romantic weight to it.

With this soundtrack I feel we get a distinct snapshot into Lorde’s own aesthetic. Very lean in some places and very cool  (for lack of a better word), the record shines from start to finish. There is very little at fault with Lorde’s selection and if this whole musician racket doesn't pan out for the young star, she may just have a career in music supervision ahead of her.



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