View source for Alien: Romulus (soundtrack)


{{Infobox album
| name         = Alien: Romulus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
| type         = film
| artist       = [[Benjamin Wallfisch]]
| cover        = Alien - Romulus (soundtrack).png
| alt          = 
| released     = August 16, 2024
| recorded     = 2024
| studio       = {{hlist|[[Abbey Road Studios|Abbey Road]], London|[[Angel Recording Studios|Angel]], London|[[AIR Studios|AIR]], London}}
| genre        = [[Film score]]
| length       = 56:56
| label        = [[Hollywood Records|Hollywood]]
| producer     = * [[Benjamin Wallfisch]]
* [[Sturdivant Adams]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Benjamin Wallfisch |title=The Chrysalis |url=https://music.apple.com/us/song/the-chrysalis/1761395967 |website=Apple Music |access-date=2024-11-04 |date=2024-08-16}}</ref>
| prev_title   = [[Alien: Covenant (soundtrack)|Alien: Covenant (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)]]
| prev_year    = 2017
| chronology   = ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]''
| misc         = {{Extra chronology
 | artist     = [[Benjamin Wallfisch]]
 | type       = film
 | prev_title = [[Twisters (score)|Twisters (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)]]
 | prev_year  = 2024
 | title      = Alien: Romulus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
 | year       = 2024
 | next_title = [[Kraven the Hunter (soundtrack)|Kraven the Hunter (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)]]
 | next_year  = 2024
}}
}}

'''''Alien: Romulus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)''''' is the [[Soundtrack album|soundtrack]] to the 2024 [[Science fiction film|science fiction]] [[Horror film|horror]] [[Thriller film|thriller]] film ''[[Alien: Romulus]]'', directed by [[Fede Álvarez]], the seventh installment in the ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'' franchise. [[Benjamin Wallfisch]] composed the film score which blends orchestral and electronic music and referenced themes and music from previous instalments. The score was released under the [[Hollywood Records]] label on August 16, 2024, and is set to be released through [[LP record|vinyl LPs]] in November 2024.

== Background ==
In March 2024, it was announced that [[Benjamin Wallfisch]] would write the score for ''Romulus'' in his first collaboration with Álvarez.<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--Film Music Reporter--> |date=March 20, 2024 |title=Benjamin Wallfisch Scoring Fede Alvarez's ''Alien: Romulus'' |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/03/20/benjamin-wallfisch-scoring-fede-alvarezs-alien-romulus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415060524/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/03/20/benjamin-wallfisch-scoring-fede-alvarezs-alien-romulus/ |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=Film Music Reporter}}</ref> The score incorporated themes and cues from the [[Alien (franchise)|''Alien'' films]], such as [[Jerry Goldsmith]]'s score for ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' (1979), [[James Horner]]'s for ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'' (1986) and the tracks 'Life' and 'We Were Right' by [[Harry Gregson-Williams]] (although arranged by [[Marc Streitenfeld]]) from ''[[Prometheus (2012 film)|Prometheus]]'' (2012).<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=August 18, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' Score From Benjamin Wallfisch, Which Pays Homage to Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner, Due on Vinyl in November |url=https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/alien-romulus-score-benjamin-wallfisch-vinyl-1236106988/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815161122/https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/alien-romulus-score-benjamin-wallfisch-vinyl-1236106988/ |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Loughrey |first=Clarisse |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Alien: Romulus review – A semi-great sequel that becomes absurd and ethically problematic |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/alien-romulus-review-b2596312.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815013956/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/alien-romulus-review-b2596312.html |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en|quote=Benjamin Wallfisch's score, which nods to both Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner's contributions to ''Alien'' and ''Aliens'', respectively.}}</ref>}}

The score began with complete silence, allowing Wallfisch to consider the impact of music and how it could enhance emotional moments without overshadowing them.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=McCue |first=Michelle |date=August 18, 2024 |title=Listen To Composer Benjamin Wallfisch Talk About His Score For ''Alien: Romulus'' |url=https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2024/08/listen-to-composer-benjamin-wallfisch-talk-about-his-score-for-alien-romulus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818202425/https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2024/08/listen-to-composer-benjamin-wallfisch-talk-about-his-score-for-alien-romulus/ |archive-date=August 18, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=We Are Movie Geeks |language=en-US}}</ref> Wallfisch designed each character's themes to reflect their emotional journey. Rain's theme evolved from a "sunrise theme" to "rain theme" that symbolized her quest for hope and light. The relationship between Rain and her brother Andy was central to the score, which Wallfisch aimed to connect their themes musically; Andy's theme was derived from Rain's theme, which reinforced their emotional ties. He experimented with a combination of chords and layered sounds with tape delays and woodwinds, providing an auditory experience that resonated with the film's themes.<ref name=":2">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q4QPk7c56M |title=Alien: Romulus (Big Score) |date=August 16, 2024 |last=Wallfisch |first=Benjamin |author-link=Benjamin Wallfisch |publisher=[[Hollywood Records]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818193832/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q4QPk7c56M |archive-date=August 18, 2024 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

Wallfisch juxtaposed the orchestral themes with electronic sounds to create the blend with a familiar and alien theme.<ref name=":1" /> All those themes were interconnected, so that it could share the same thread of the musical DNA.<ref name=":2" /> The use of woodwinds was to evoke the vastness of the film's space, while the choir was to explore non-human sounds. A 100-piece of the Chamber Orchestra of London was recorded at [[Abbey Road Studios]] in [[London]] which were utilized without strict themes allowing a fluid and organic rhythm that matched the film's themes of exploration and danger.<ref name=":2" />

Wallfisch explained, "My love for the original films made it a joy to contribute to this iconic franchise. By immersing myself in the musical legacy of Horner and Goldsmith, the aim was to embody the tone of what came before while creating fresh elements through a fusion of electronics and traditional orchestral textures."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Todd |first1=Gilchrist |title='Alien: Romulus' Score From Benjamin Wallfisch, Which Pays Homage to Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner, Due on Vinyl in November |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/alien-romulus-score-benjamin-wallfisch-160000468.html?guccounter=1 |website=[[Yahoo News]] |access-date=28 August 2024 |date=15 August 2024}}</ref>

== Release ==
The ''Alien: Romulus'' score was released by [[Hollywood Records]] on August 16, 2024, alongside the film.<ref name="Soundtrack">{{Cite web |author=<!-- Film Music Reporter --> |date=August 18, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' Soundtrack Album Details |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/08/14/alien-romulus-soundtrack-album-details/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814170633/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/08/14/alien-romulus-soundtrack-album-details/ |archive-date=August 14, 2024 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Film Music Reporter}}</ref> The album features 20 tracks from Wallfisch's score heard in the film.<ref name=":0" /> In addition to this on November 15, 2024, a [[Vinyl LP|vinyl]] edition of the album was distributed by Mutant and featured six [[bonus tracks]] of the film score, packaged in a 240-gram LP record with liner notes from Álvarez and artwork by illustrator Kilian Eng.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cremona |first=Patrick |date=August 16, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' soundtrack and score – What music features in the new film? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/alien-romulus-soundtrack/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817020450/https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/alien-romulus-soundtrack/ |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |magazine=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cavanaugh |first=Patrick |date=August 15, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' Score Getting Vinyl Release From Mutant |url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/alien-romulus-music-score-soundtrack-vinyl-mutant/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816023430/https://comicbook.com/horror/news/alien-romulus-music-score-soundtrack-vinyl-mutant/ |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[Comicbook.com]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Ryan |date=August 16, 2024 |title=The ''Alien: Romulus'' Soundtrack On Vinyl Can Now Be yours |url=https://www.fangoria.com/alien-romulus-soundtrack-vinyl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816215250/https://www.fangoria.com/alien-romulus-soundtrack-vinyl/ |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[Fangoria]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Reception ==
Zanobard Reviews assigned 7.5 out of 10 for the album, stating "Benjamin Wallfisch’s fittingly unnerving score for ''Alien: Romulus'' tries thematically to have it all, to some pretty superb – but not perfect – results, all said."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zanobard |date=August 16, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' – Soundtrack Review |url=https://zanobardreviews.com/2024/08/16/alien-romulus-soundtrack-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816205907/https://zanobardreviews.com/2024/08/16/alien-romulus-soundtrack-review/ |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=Zanobard Reviews |language=en}}</ref> Richard Lawson of ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' wrote "Benjamin Wallfisch’s turgid, discordantly sentimental score is at its most glaring when Rain and Andy are sharing some moment of emotional angst, strangely maudlin notes in a movie that is otherwise steadfastly cruel to its characters."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lawson |first=Richard |date=August 14, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' Wants to Be All the ''Alien'' Movies at Once |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/alien-romulus-movie-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815205535/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/alien-romulus-movie-review |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Space.com]]'' wrote "Composer Benjamin Wallfisch's inventive score is another of the absolute highlights of ''Alien: Romulus'', operating within and dancing around thematic cues found in Jerry Goldsmith's symphonic masterpiece in ''Alien'' and James Horner's thunderous military tracks from ''Aliens''. But where his genius really excels is in the injection of industrial-edged synthesizer music paired to many of the hardcore action set pieces that fondly reminds us of '90s techno tunes and vintage [[Nine Inch Nails]]."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Spry |first=Jeff |date=August 16, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' is a visceral return to form for a venerable sci-fi franchise (review) |url=https://www.space.com/alien-romulus--movie-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817103528/https://www.space.com/alien-romulus--movie-review |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[Space.com]] |language=en}}</ref> James Mottram of ''[[NME]]'' described it as "a gets-right-under-the-skin score from Benjamin Wallfisch".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mottram |first=James |date=August 14, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' review: as thrilling and scary as the original |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/alien-romulus-review-3783797 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815122142/https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/alien-romulus-review-3783797 |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Kyle Anderson of ''[[Nerdist]]'' called it as "a big, sweeping, orchestral soundscape that actively calls back Jerry Goldsmith’s score from ''Alien'' [...] keeping with the aesthetic of the 1970s-style of futurism, a full orchestra and leitmotifs really add an air of classiness. It’s a standout, for sure."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=August 14, 2024 |title=''Alien: Romulus'' Is Mostly a Welcome Return to Horror Form |url=https://nerdist.com/article/alien-romulus-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815070730/https://nerdist.com/article/alien-romulus-review/ |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=Nerdist |language=en-US}}</ref> Chris Evangelista of ''[[/Film]]'' called it as a "frightening score".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evangelista |first=Chris |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Alien: Romulus Review: This Occasionally Effective Sequel Plays Things Too Safe |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1641960/alien-romulus-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816175254/https://www.slashfilm.com/1641960/alien-romulus-review/ |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=[[/Film]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Track listing ==
{{Track listing
| headline        = ''Alien: Romulus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)'' track listing
| total_length    = 56:56

| title1          = The Chrysalis
| length1         = 2:38

| title2          = That's Our Sun
| length2         = 2:55

| title3          = Wake Up
| length3         = 1:40

| title4          = Entering ''Nostromo''
| length4         = 2:52

| title5          = Searching
| length5         = 2:55

| title6          = There's Something in the Water
| length6         = 2:49

| title7          = XX121{{efn|This track references [[Jerry Goldsmith]]'s ''Main Title'' from ''[[Alien (1979 film)|Alien]]'' (1979).}}
| length7         = 3:37

| title8          = He's Glitchy
| length8         = 4:27

| title9          = Run!
| length9         = 2:47

| title10         = Prometheus Fire{{efn|This track references [[Harry Gregson-Williams]]'s ''Opening Titles'' from ''[[Prometheus (2012 film)|Prometheus]]'' (2012).}}
| length10        = 4:19

| title11         = Guns v Acid Blood
| length11        = 1:33

| title12         = The Hive
| length12        = 1:41

| title13         = Andy{{efn|This track references [[Jerry Goldsmith]]'s ''Main Title'' from ''[[Alien (1979 film)|Alien]]'' (1979).}}
| length13        = 1:38

| title14         = Gravity Purge
| length14        = 2:13

| title15         = Elevator Shaft Attack
| length15        = 1:22

| title16         = Get Away From Her
| length16        = 4:31

| title17         = The Offspring
| length17        = 6:07

| title18         = Collision Warning
| length18        = 3:35

| title19         = Raine
| length19        = 1:09

| title20         = Sleep
| length20        = 2:08

}}

{{Track listing

| headline        = Bonus tracks
| title21         = Lockdown
| length21        =

| title22         = Awakening
| length22        =

| title23         = ''Romulus'' Hangar Bay
| length23        =

| title24         = Body Temperature
| length24        =

| title25         = I Have a New Directive
| length25        =

| title26         = The Hive
| length26        =

}}

== Personnel ==
Credits adapted from ''Film Music Reporter''<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2024 |title=Alien: Romulus – Music Team Credits |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/music-team-credits/alien-romulus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821180151/https://filmmusicreporter.com/music-team-credits/alien-romulus/ |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=Film Music Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> and Apple Music<ref>{{Citation |title=The Chrysalis by Benjamin Wallfisch on Apple Music |date=2024-08-16 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/song/the-chrysalis/1761395967 |access-date=2024-11-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>

{{div col}}
* Music composer and producer – Benjamin Wallfisch
* Co-producer – Sturdivant Adams
* Supervising orchestrator – David Krystal
* Orchestrators – David Butterworth, Evan Rogers, Michael J. Lloyd, Jeremy Levy, Sebastian Winter
* Special cello effects – Tristan Schulze
* Orchestra – Chamber Orchestra of London
* Musicians' contractor – Gareth Griffiths
* Assistant contractor – James Marangone
* Orchestra conductor – Chris Egan
* Choir – RSVP Voices
* Choir conductor – Rob Johnston
* Music preparation – Jill Streater, Dan Boardman, Leo Nicholson
* Musical arrangements and programming – Sturdivant Adams, Steve R. Davis, Jared Fry, Tori Letzler, Steffen Thum
* Recording – Rupert Coulson
* Digital recordist – Daniel Hayden
* Score technical engineer – Caleb Cuzner, David Neville, Kyle Waselewski
* Assistant engineer – Neil Dawes, Martin Riley, Jessi McDonald
* Mixing – Eva Reistad
* Additional mixing – Rupert Coulson, Jason LaRocca
* Mastering – Patricia Sullivan
* Music editor – Clint Bennett
* Score editor – Chris Barrett
* Temp music editor – Del Spiva
* Music coordinator – Darrell Alexander
{{div col end}}

== Charts ==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for ''Alien: Romulus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)''
! scope="col"| Chart (2024)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|UKDigital|32|date=20240823|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2024}}
|-
! scope="row"| UK Soundtrack Albums ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UKSoundtrack">{{cite web|title=Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 {{!}} August 23–29, 2015|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/soundtrack-albums-chart/20240823/140/|work=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=August 24, 2024}}</ref>
| 16
|}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Benjamin Wallfisch}}
{{Alien (franchise)}}


[[Category:2020s film soundtrack albums]]
[[Category:2024 soundtrack albums]]
[[Category:Alien (franchise) soundtracks]]
[[Category:Benjamin Wallfisch albums]]
[[Category:Hollywood Records soundtracks]]
[[Category:Horror film soundtracks]]
[[Category:Science fiction film soundtracks]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at AIR Studios]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Alien: Romulus (soundtrack)|access_date=2026-02-25}}