Yesterday, “Roma” found itself nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including the coveted Best Picture nomination. However, there’s one Oscar category that didn’t feature “Roma,” and in fact, couldn’t ever feature the film – Best Original Song. You see, unlike “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” or “Black Panther,” Alfonso Cuaron’s film didn’t have a soundtrack at all. Well, Beck and a few of the biggest names in music hope to rectify that.
It has just been announced that Beck, Billie Eilish, Patti Smith, El-P and Wilder Zoby, Laura Marling, DJ Shadow, Ibeyi, UNKLE, and more will be featured as part of a new soundtrack titled “Music Inspired By The Film Roma.” A soundtrack, of sorts, the album will feature the aforementioned artists performing songs that…sorta fit with the film.
We say “sorta” because when you hear the first two songs from the album, courtesy of Beck and Eilish, respectively, it’s hard to imagine how they’d fit in the film about ‘70s Mexico City. But alas, we’re movie people and not musical artists, so your mileage may vary.
READ MORE: AMC, Regal, & Cinemark Ban ‘Roma’ From Oscars Best Picture Special Events
Eilish, for her contribution, performs the song “When I Was Older.” And Beck is contributing a cover of the popular synthpop song “Tarantula.” The song was originally written and performed by Colourbox. Beck has drastically altered the song, making it his own. But still, as mentioned, it’s difficult to peg either of those songs as “Roma”-inspired. That being said, they’re both fine songs.
For those that found the distinct lack of pop music in “Roma” to be disappointing, you’ll be happy to know that the album “Music Inspired By The Film Roma” will be released on February 8, courtesy of Sony Music Masterworks.
You can hear the first two songs from the album and take a peek at the track listing below:
MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE FILM ROMA – TRACKLISTING
1. Tepeji 21 (The Sounds of ROMA) – Ciudad de México
2. Wing – Patti Smith
3. Tarantula – Beck
4. WHEN I WAS OLDER – Billie Eilish
5. PSYCHO – Bu Cuarón
6. On My Knees – UNKLE featuring Michael Kiwanaku
7. Con El Viento – Jessie Reyez
8. Marooned – El-P & Wilder Zoby
9. Cumbia del Borras – Sonido Gallo Negro
10. La Hora Exacta – Quique Rangel
11. Cleo Who Takes Care Of You – Ibeyi
12. We Are Always Alone – DJ Shadow
13. Between These Hands – Asaf Avidan
14. Those Were The Days – Laura Marling
15. ROMA – T Bone Burnett