Side Effects – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Thomas Newman · 2013
38 min · 18 tracks
A haunting blend of minimalist piano and orchestral textures that evoke a sense of unease and introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Very Sick Girl (Main Title) — The main title encapsulates the film's eerie atmosphere, introducing the listener to Newman's signature style of blending dissonance with melodic elements.
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Take Back Tomorrow (End Title) — This track serves as a poignant conclusion to the soundtrack, combining emotional depth with unresolved tension, mirroring the film's themes.
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Malingering — At over five minutes long, this track showcases Newman's expansive arrangements and thematic development, creating a reflective soundscape that lingers long after listening.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe soundtrack's minimalist approach and thematic unity create an engaging yet unsettling listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of minimalist piano motifs that recur throughout, creating a sense of thematic unity.
- Many tracks utilize sparse orchestration, often layering strings and woodwinds to build tension without overwhelming the listener.
- Several pieces employ dissonant harmonies and unresolved chords, contributing to an overall atmosphere of unease.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- ethereal soundscapes for reflection
- dynamic emotional landscapes unfold
- captivating tension in short bursts
- for focused listening
- haunting melodies evoke introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek traditional song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Thomas Newman released this soundtrack in 2013, he was already an established composer known for his work on films like American Beauty and Skyfall. Side Effects marked his continued collaboration with director Steven Soderbergh, showcasing Newman's ability to weave intricate soundscapes that enhance cinematic narratives.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Max Richter· Ólafur Arnalds· Ludovico Einaudi
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Acute Parasomnia 0:41
- 2 Very Sick Girl (Main Title) 2:25
- 3 Houston Free Meds 2:22
- 4 Relativity 1:23
- 5 Past Behaviour 1:28
- 6 Another Aquittal 3:27
- 7 Knife 1:20
- 8 Hopelessness 1:22
- 9 Allison Finn 2:28
- 10 Dark & Stormy 1:11
- 11 Poisonous Fog 2:30
- 12 Salt Water 2:00
- 13 Conduct Review 2:09
- 14 Double Jeopardy 0:46
- 15 Malingering 5:42
- 16 St. Luke's 1:24
- 17 Take Back Tomorrow (End Title) 2:22
- 18 The Forgotten People 3:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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