Star Trek Beyond cover

Released 10 years ago

Star Trek Beyond

Michael Giacchino · 2016

61 min · 18 tracks · film score

An adventurous orchestral score that blends sweeping melodies with dynamic rhythms, echoing the vastness of space exploration.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Night on the Yorktown — This track features a sweeping orchestral arrangement that captures the spirit of exploration and adventure, embodying the essence of the Starfleet mission.
  • →
    A Lesson in Vulcan Mineralogy — Combining lighthearted motifs with cultural references, this piece highlights Giacchino's skill in blending humor with thematic depth in the score.
  • →
    Star Trek Main Theme — Reimagining Alexander Courage's iconic theme, this rendition serves as a powerful reminder of the franchise's legacy while adding Giacchino's own flair.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The score effectively blends orchestral elements with thematic development, creating a compelling listening experience.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks employ dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity, creating a sense of urgency or calm that reflects the film's narrative arcs.
  • The final track revisits themes from earlier pieces, providing a cohesive resolution to the score's overarching motifs.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

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

  • dynamic waves of orchestral sound
  • adventurous spirit of exploration
  • vibrant peaks and valleys
  • engaging background for focus
  • short tracks for quick immersion

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking lyrical storytelling
  • prefer straightforward listening experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album solidified Giacchino's reputation as a leading film composer.
Career context
By 2016, Michael Giacchino had established himself as a leading film composer, following his acclaimed work on 'Star Trek' (2009) and its sequel 'Into Darkness' (2013). 'Star Trek Beyond' served as his third entry in the franchise, showcasing his ability to evolve the themes and motifs while maintaining continuity with previous scores.
Stylistic neighbors
Hans Zimmer· John Williams· Thomas Newman

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Logo and Prosper 1:47
  • 2 Thank Your Lucky Star Date 2:15
  • 3 Night on the Yorktown 5:36
  • 4 The Dance of the Nebula 2:22
  • 5 A Swarm Reception 2:30
  • 6 Hitting the Saucer a Little Hard 6:10
  • 7 Jaylah Damage 2:50
  • 8 In Artifacts as in Life 1:51
  • 9 Franklin, My Dear 2:50
  • 10 A Lesson in Vulcan Mineralogy 5:17
  • 11 MotorCycles of Relief 3:17
  • 12 Mocking Jaylah 3:26
  • 13 Crash Decisions 3:16
  • 14 Krall-y Krall-y Oxen Free 4:23
  • 15 Shutdown Happens 4:35
  • 16 Cater-Krall in Zero G 2:17
  • 17 Par-tay for the Course 2:46
  • 18 Star Trek Main Theme 3:45

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata