The first time I saw Slumdog Millionaire was on my laptop via a DVD screener copy, and even on wimpy laptop speakers I was drawn in by the soundtrack. But when I finally saw it in the theater a few weeks later I was blown away by the intensity of the music. It weaves sound design with melody, indian vocal samples with auto-tune, and electronic beats with tribal drums – its part world, part electronica, part hip-hop.
As a disclaimer, I would suggest that if you haven’t seen this film yet, do not preview the tracks below. I am a firm believer in hearing music in its originally intended form, and in this case the music is definitely stronger when accompanied by the film and vice-versa
“Liquid Dance” is a standout to me because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard. It starts off with these bullet-like vocal samples that are panned all over the place and then settles into a synth hip-hop beat and an orchestral strings melody that is really biting.
The most celebrated tracks off the soundtrack are definitely the contributions by M.I.A. – my favorite of which is actually the DFA Remix of “Paper Planes.” I wasn’t initially a fan of the original “Paper Planes” but its absolutely perfect placement in the film converted me. M.I.A.’s other cut off the album is “O…Saya” which was nominated along with “Jai Ho” for an Academy Award for Best Song.
And that brings me to “Jai Ho.” Along with being my favorite song on the soundtrack, I think “Jai Ho” is a great singular representation of what the score is all about. It’s heavy, thrilling, beat-driven and beautifully melodic – and that’s having absolutely zero idea what the lyrics mean (well the Spanish part I got, but the Hindi is out of my reach).
If you haven’t already, go see the movie – then buy the album.
It’s easily one of the best of the year – and I mean the last 365 days, not the calendar year because that wouldn’t mean a whole lot.
