Babylon – Music from the Motion Picture
Justin Hurwitz · 2022
97 min · 48 tracks
A dynamic orchestral blend of jazz, classical motifs, and exuberant score that captures the spirit of a bygone Hollywood era.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Call Me Manny — This track showcases a rich tapestry of orchestral sounds intertwined with jazz elements, perfectly embodying the film's vibrant atmosphere and character dynamics.
-
→
Ain’t Life Grand — With its upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation, this piece encapsulates the celebratory tone of the film's exploration of excess and ambition.
-
→
Gold Coast Sunset — This track offers a poignant moment in the score, blending nostalgia with an expansive orchestral sound that mirrors the themes of dreams and disillusionment present in the film.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe score showcases strong orchestration and thematic development, capturing the essence of its cinematic context.
What we noticed
- The album features a wide range of orchestral textures, with tracks alternating between full orchestral arrangements and smaller ensemble pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate jazz elements, such as syncopated rhythms and improvisational sections, reflecting the chaotic energy of early Hollywood.
- The running time is extensive, with 48 tracks that vary in length, allowing for both thematic development and quick transitions between moods.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Call Me Manny
The composition shifts from frenetic energy to a reflective passage where harmonies intertwine subtly.
This shift highlights character development within the score, contrasting moments of chaos with deeper emotional currents.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Welcome 4:00
- 2 Manny and Nellie’s Theme 0:53
- 3 King of the Circus 2:28
- 4 Jub Jub 0:56
- 5 Coke Room 2:31
- 6 My Girl’s Pussy 2:29
- 7 Miss Idaho 0:55
- 8 Voodoo Mama 3:59
- 9 Gold Coast Rhythm (Wallach Party) 1:41
- 10 Ain’t Life Grand 1:38
- 11 Babylon 0:30
- 12 Morning 2:00
- 13 Kinescope Ragtime Piano 0:35
- 14 Kinescope Erhu (Orientally Yours) 1:28
- 15 Kinescope Carnival Music 0:49
- 16 Kinescope Organ Music 0:45
- 17 Night on Bald Mountain 2:08
- 18 Herman’s Hustle 2:02
- 19 Gold Coast Sunset 2:00
- 20 Champagne 2:55
- 21 Wild Child 3:03
- 22 New York 2:02
- 23 See You Back in LA 0:48
Disc 2
- 1 Red Devil 1:56
- 2 I Want a Man 2:02
- 3 Orientally Yours 2:11
- 4 Gimme 1:32
- 5 Singin’ in the Rain 1:22
- 6 Pharoah John 0:39
- 7 Meet Miss LaRoy 0:39
- 8 Call Me Manny 3:37
- 9 Hearst Party 6:41
- 10 Damascus Thump 2:10
- 11 All Figured Out 0:55
- 12 Nea Smyrni 2:03
- 13 Waikele Tango 3:38
- 14 Toad 2:01
- 15 Blockhouse 2:10
- 16 Jack’s Party Band 1:34
- 17 Gold Coast Rhythm (Jack’s Party) 1:42
- 18 Levántete 0:34
- 19 Señor Avocado 2:23
- 20 Heyo 3:00
- 21 Gold Coast Rhythm (Juan Bonilla) 2:56
- 22 Te Amo Nellie 1:31
- 23 Gold Coast Rhythm (Sidney’s Solo) 2:47
- 24 Manny and Nellie’s Theme (reprise) 0:45
- 25 Finale 3:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.