The Menu – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Colin Stetson · 2022
42 min · 14 tracks · jazz
A haunting blend of avant-garde jazz textures and unsettling soundscapes that evoke tension and anticipation throughout the film's narrative.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fallen Angel — This track stands out with its deep, resonant tones that convey a sense of foreboding, perfectly mirroring the film's narrative tension.
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Nature is Timeless — The minimalistic approach here captures an ethereal quality, using silence and sparse instrumentation to build emotional depth and suspense.
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A Revolution in Cuisine — This brief yet impactful piece introduces a playful yet eerie ambiance that reflects the film's thematic exploration of culinary arts turned sinister.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe soundtrack excels in crafting tension and atmosphere, showcasing Stetson's innovative approach to composition and sound design.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of dissonant harmonies and extended techniques on the saxophone, creating an unsettling atmosphere throughout.
- Tracks often build tension through gradual layering of sounds, with many pieces featuring long, sustained notes that evoke a sense of anticipation.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt dynamic shifts, moving from quiet, introspective moments to intense climaxes that disrupt the listener's expectations.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- tension-building soundscapes throughout
- short tracks for focused listening
- evocative ambiance for reflection
- immersive experience of unease
- for cinematic moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat or cheerful sounds
- prefer straightforward melodic structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the release of The Menu soundtrack, Colin Stetson was established as a prominent figure in contemporary jazz, known for his innovative use of the saxophone. This album followed his acclaimed work on soundtracks such as Hereditary (2018), further solidifying his reputation for crafting immersive auditory experiences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Matthew Halsall· Tomasz Stańko· Shabaka Hutchings
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 All Aboard 4:24
- 2 The Boat 3:32
- 3 Nature is Timeless 2:42
- 4 Welcome to Hawthorne 2:31
- 5 A Revolution in Cuisine 1:38
- 6 The Mess 3:48
- 7 Taco Tuesday 2:10
- 8 Our Side or Theirs 2:30
- 9 Fallen Angel 2:37
- 10 Take the Evening Air 2:45
- 11 Do You Think You're Special? 3:38
- 12 The First Cheeseburger You Ever Ate 2:44
- 13 The Purifying Flame 5:22
- 14 Amuse Bouche (Reprise) 2:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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