The Sound Of Barbenheimer

Barbenheimer has taken the world by storm.

Whether it’s your LinkedIn feed awash with campaigns and articles (like this one), to billboards and posters on buses, it seems everyone is caught in an existential crisis or embracing la vie en rose.

"Barbie," directed by Greta Gerwig, and "Oppenheimer," the brainchild of Christopher Nolan, have racked in a combined $235.5m in their opening weekend alone.?

But what would a Christopher Nolan movie be without an explosive soundtrack that shakes you to the core??

Similarly, it wouldn’t be a Barbie movie without a pop-star-studded soundtrack.

Soundtracks play a crucial role in elevating storytelling to new heights. Here’s a quick dive into the music of Barbenheimer, the double-whammy summertime blockbuster release, dubbed as the revival of cinema…

THE SOUND OF OPPENHEIMER

From the dark and ominous strings of The Dark Knight to the orchestral masterpiece of Interstellar, the music in Oppenheimer was no exception.

Nolan is known for working with the legendary Hans Zimmer. The pair have worked on a total of seven films together, and it is almost impossible to imagine Nolan’s stunning visuals without Zimmer’s gut-wrenching scores.

Unfortunately, due to a supposed falling out over the music for the movie Dunkirk, Nolan and Zimmer are no longer the dynamic duo they once were.

In Zimmer’s absence, however, the prolific Swedish Composer Ludwig G?ransson was offered the role of creating the soundtrack for Oppenheimer.?

G?ransson’s work on Nolan’s last movie, Tenet, featured a reversed score that was equally confusing as it was brilliant (I’m still wrapping my head around the plot too). His impressive discography includes Disney’s ‘The Mandalorian’, Creed, and numerous films in the Marvel cinematic universe such as 'Black Panther' and 'Venom'.

Composing the soundtrack for the story about the ‘father of the atomic bomb’ can’t have been an easy task. In fact, the tempo of G?ransson’s score was so high that he deemed it unplayable.

“By the end, it’s three times faster than when it started.”

Ludwig G?ransson

However, with the help of world-class musicians, the finished result was an epic orchestral rollercoaster of emotions which was equally as commanding as the story itself.

THE SOUND OF BARBIE

Barbie, perhaps the most highly anticipated blockbuster of the summer, promised viewers childhood nostalgia, lots of pink, and some much-needed escapism.

The hype leading up to its release was a spectacle to behold in itself. In fact, the marketing budget exceeded the $145m budget for the film itself by $5m.

Funded by the iconic toymakers and inventors of Barbie, Mattel, there was a clear expectation amongst fans for a vivid celebration of pop culture.?

Since the release of the movie, Mattel has already signed licensing deals with more than 100 brands - you can now purchase your very own Barbie pink apparel from Gap, Primark or Forever 21 (only while stocks last).

The soundtrack is no different - produced by world-famous producer Mark Ronson, it’s sickeningly sweet, and features some of the world’s biggest pop stars.

Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Ice Spice, Dominic Fike, Lizzo and Sam Smith (to name a few) all contributed to this musical extravaganza.

The first track by Lizzo "Pink" (very original) kicks things off with a smooth disco vibe, capturing Barbie's existential crisis with a touch of charisma.

Dua Lipa brings her usual classic pop-disco energy with "Dance the Night”, which embodies the carefree energy you’d expect of Barbie Land.

PICK A SIDE

Whether you’re team Oppenheimer or team Barbie (or both), both films have soundtracks that effectively achieve their goals.

Oppenheimer is an intricate, cinematic experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Ludwig G?ransson's symphonic score elevates the movie, blending seamlessly with the on-screen action to accentuate emotional beats and intensify adrenaline-pumping moments.?

Expertly crafted sound effects create a dynamic soundscape, drawing the audience deeper into the film's world. The powerful score and well-balanced sound effects make the audio aspect of the movie a standout feature.

At its core, Barbie is a commercial blockbuster which doesn’t take itself too seriously, is highly accessible and will be a favourite for musical lovers. The soundtrack isn’t breaking any new ground, but it’s what you’d expect. It’s a montage celebrating some of the biggest global popstars of the decade so far and perfectly marries with the aesthetics of Barbie-land. Just don’t expect to be blown away…