Arrival (soundtrack)

2016 soundtrack album by Jóhann Jóhannsson

Arrival (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Soundtrack album by

Jóhann Jóhannsson

Released| November 11, 2016
Genre| Film score
Length| 56:20
Label| Deutsche Grammophon
Producer| Jóhann Jóhannsson
Jóhann Jóhannsson chronology
| Orphée
(2016)  | Arrival (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2016)  | The Mercy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2018)

|
|

Denis Villeneuve film score chronology
| Sicario (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2015)  | Arrival (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2016)  | Blade Runner 2049 – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2021)

|
|

Arrival (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack composed by Jóhann Jóhannsson for Denis Villeneuve's 2016 film Arrival. It was released under Deutsche Grammophon on November 11, 2016, the same day as the film's theatrical release.[1][2] The score was met with critical acclaim and received accolades at various ceremonies, including a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Original Music and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, but was ruled ineligible for contention at the 89th Academy Awards.[3]

## Background

[edit]

Jóhann Jóhannsson was involved in pre-production for Arrival, and took early influence for the score from the film's script, concept art and initial discussions with director Denis Villeneuve about its mood and themes. It was their third and final collaboration following Prisoners (2013) and Sicario (2015).[4][5] The pair did not discuss the music in detail; Jóhann recalled that Villeneuve "basically gave [him] carte blanche to experiment", particularly in the early stages of composition, before collaborating more closely alongside the film's editor Joe Walker once "the sound [had] been established" in order to "[find] the right places, the right moments for music" within the film.[6][7] Arrival was shot without temp music, which meant Jóhann needed to have material ready before the editing process; he also noted that this approach required "good rapport and communication between the three of [them]".[8] The film was edited first without music to ensure that each scene worked on its own without it, before Jóhann's score was reintroduced as "a strengthener".[9]

Due to the importance of language and communication in the film's story, Jóhann immediately decided that his score would need to prominently feature the human voice.[10] However, he sought to distance himself stylistically from the work of György Ligeti, due to the association of his vocal music with the classic 1968 science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and therefore avoided cluster chords and micropolyphony in favor of "irregular and arrhythmic patterns of short notes which start small and are then layered to create a kind of cloud of short staccato polyrhythmic voices".[8] He likened the resultant "Morse code-like phrases" to "the babbling of a new infant trying to understand – or subconsciously absorb – the basic structure of a language", further reflecting the themes of the film.[11] Jóhannsson intended the score to contain "very unconventional, avant-garde, extended-technique choral writing as opposed to the more traditional choir sounds",[12] so he worked with the vocal ensemble Theatre of Voices due to their "very good command of exotic vocal techniques".[6] He took further influence from pieces such as Stimmung (1968) by Karlheinz Stockhausen, particularly through the composer's "use of overtones and harmonic singing and his aleatoric approach to performance",[8][13] as well as the work of spectralist composers Gérard Grisey and Horațiu Rădulescu.[6] For the score's orchestral and choral writing, he consulted the work of composers such as Grisey, Giacinto Scelsi, Michael Gordon, Georg Friedrich Haas and Meredith Monk.[8]

Jóhann also prominently used tape loops in his score to reflect the circular motifs found in Arrival, such as the logograms that make up the aliens' written language.[12] He used a 16-track analogue tape recorder to record a long tape loop with layers of piano drones (sustained without the attack) that were recorded at different speeds and then slowed down. He also enlisted frequent collaborator Lichens to sing and hum a sequence of notes over the drone "in a unique, harmonic way that's hard to distinguish as a human voice". Jóhann described the end result as "an extremely eerie, unsettling piece of music without any processing at all".[13][14] The score's percussion was largely wooden, such as "basic" 2×4 planks of wood played with mallets, and was recorded in a "large reverberant space" before being layered and digitally processed with added effects. These sounds were typically used during the film's more action oriented scenes.[10]

## Reception

[edit]

### Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [15]
Clash| 7/10[16]

The score received critical acclaim. AllMusic critic Rob Wacey hailed the soundtrack as both "a fantastic album and a great piece of film score work, delivering menacing, daunting cacophonies of noise that evoke all types of fear, wonder, and intrigue that are evident within the movie itself".[15] Conversely, Josh Gray of Clash found that "listening to it without the visual stimulus of Villeneuve's accompanying film sells the score short", concluding that "despite its originality and powerful execution of atonal techniques, it is too tonally diverse to function properly as a separate entity from its corresponding film".[16] IndieWire's Ben Croll found Jóhann's "iron death rattle score" to be one of the film's many elements that were "perfect alone and better together".[17]

In his review of the film for RogerEbert.com. Brian Tallerico praised Jóhann's compositions, calling them "essential to every emotional beat of the film, defining the air of tension in the first half of the film and the moving undercurrents of the final act".[18] Similarly, Time's Stephanie Zacharek found it "so integral to the images that it may as well be their heartbeat—it's spooky and sonorous, a spectral hum".[19] Christopher Orr of The Atlantic found the score "multifaceted and occasionally spellbinding, not least when its low horns boom with menace, almost like an alien voice themselves".[20] Nigel Andrews, writing for the Financial Times, noted that the soundtrack "adds a deeper layer of the fathomless-ethereal" and "[keeps] us moored to this planet while suggesting the distant, sonorous possibilities of those beyond",[21] while The Irish Times critic Donald Clarke called it a "brilliantly insidious score – alive with mournful strings and sharp exhalations".[22]

### Accolades

[edit]

The soundtrack was ruled ineligible for contention at the 89th Academy Awards, due to the film's prominent use of the Max Richter piece "On the Nature of Daylight" in its opening and final scenes. It was disqualified on the basis that audiences would not be able to distinguish the piece from Jóhann's score.[3]

Award  | Date of ceremony  | Category  | Recipient(s)  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Austin Film Critics Association | December 28, 2016 | Best Score  | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [23]
[24]
British Academy Film Awards | February 12, 2017 | Best Original Music | Arrival | Nominated  | [25]
Chicago Film Critics Association | December 15, 2016 | Best Original Score | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [26]
Critics' Choice Awards | December 11, 2016 | Best Score | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [27]
[28]
Empire Awards | March 19, 2017 | Best Soundtrack | Arrival | Nominated  | [29]
Florida Film Critics Circle | December 23, 2016 | Best Score  | Arrival | Nominated  | [30]
[31]
Georgia Film Critics Association | January 13, 2017  | Best Original Score  | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [32]
Golden Globe Awards | January 8, 2017 | Best Original Score | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [33]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards | November 17, 2016  | Best Original Score – Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film  | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [34]
[35]
Houston Film Critics Society | January 6, 2017 | Best Original Score  | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [36]
[37]
IndieWire Critics Poll | December 19, 2016  | Best Original Score or Soundtrack  | Arrival | 4th Place  | [38]
San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 11, 2016 | Best Original Score  | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [39]
[40]
Seattle Film Critics Society | January 5, 2017  | Best Original Score  | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Won  | [41]
St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 18, 2016 | Best Music/Score  | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [42]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 5, 2016 | Best Score | Jóhann Jóhannsson | Nominated  | [43]

## Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are produced by Jóhann Jóhannsson.[44]

Arrival (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)[44]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Arrival"| Jóhann Jóhannsson| 2:50
2.| "Heptapod B"|

* Joan La Barbara
* Jóhann

| 3:42
3.| "Sapir-Whorf"| Jóhann| 1:16
4.| "Hydraulic Lift"| Jóhann| 3:32
5.| "First Encounter"| Jóhann| 4:49
6.| "Transmutations at a Distance"| Jóhann| 1:34
7.| "Around the Clock News"| Jóhann| 1:34
8.| "Xenolinguistics"| Jóhann| 3:29
9.| "Ultimatum"| Jóhann| 1:52
10.| "Principle of Least Time"| Jóhann| 1:20
11.| "Hazmat"| Jóhann| 4:48
12.| "Hammers and Nails"| Jóhann| 2:31
13.| "Xenoanthropology"| Jóhann| 3:08
14.| "Non-Zero Sum Game"| Jóhann| 4:17
15.| "Properties of Explosive Materials"| Jóhann| 3:31
16.| "Escalation"| Jóhann| 2:02
17.| "Decyphering"| Jóhann| 2:05
18.| "One of Twelve"| Jóhann| 3:09
19.| "Rise"| Jóhann| 1:47
20.| "Kangaru"|

* La Barbara
* Jóhann

| 2:55
Total length:| 56:20

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (2016)  | Peak
position

|

UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[45] | 18
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[46] | 12

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Arrival (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Jóhann Jóhannsson on Apple Music". Apple Music. November 11, 2016. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
2. ^ Strauss, Matthew (October 28, 2016). "Listen to Jóhann Jóhannsson's New Song "Kangaru" From Arrival Soundtrack". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
3. ^ a b Tapley, Kristopher (December 13, 2016). "Oscars: Academy Disqualifies 'Arrival,' 'Silence,' 'Manchester' Original Scores (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
4. ^ Weintraub, Steve (October 26, 2016). "Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson on 'Arrival', Preparing to Score 'Blade Runner 2049', and More". Collider. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
5. ^ Hall, Jacob (November 11, 2016). "Interview: 'Arrival' Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson On How You Score First Contact". /Film. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
6. ^ a b c O'Connell, Sharon (November 26, 2016). "Arrival composer Jóhann Jóhannsson: 'People are hungry for new sounds'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
7. ^ Crow, David (November 11, 2016). "Arrival: Translating the Sounds of the Film with Johann Johannsson". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
8. ^ a b c d Schweiger, Daniel (November 4, 2016). "Interview with Johan Johannson". The Film Music Institute. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
9. ^ Warren, Matt (February 23, 2017). "Directors Close-Up Recap: 'Arrival' Filmmakers Denis Villeneuve and Joe Walker". Film Independent. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
10. ^ a b Douglas, Edward (20 May 2000). "The LRM Interview with Arrival Composer Johann Johannsson". LRM Online. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
11. ^ Brimmers, Julian (January 10, 2017). "Soundtrack Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson on Arrival, Sicario and The Theory of Everything". Red Bull Music Academy. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
12. ^ a b Burlingame, Jon (December 1, 2016). "'Arrival,' 'Passengers' Composers Explored Bold New Worlds of Sound". Variety. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
13. ^ a b Goble, Blake (November 6, 2016). "Otherworldly Loops: A Conversation with Arrival Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson". Consequence. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
14. ^ Desowitz, Bill (November 21, 2016). "How Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson Found a New Musical Language for Denis Villeneuve's 'Arrival'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
15. ^ a b Wacey, Rob. "Jóhann Jóhannsson - Arrival [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
16. ^ a b Gray, Josh (November 23, 2016). "Jóhann Jóhannsson - Arrival OST". Clash. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
17. ^ Croll, Ben (September 1, 2016). "'Arrival' Review: Amy Adams Steals Spotlight In Denis Villeneuve's Deep-Thinking Alien Invasion Story". IndieWire. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
18. ^ Tallerico, Brian (November 11, 2016). "Arrival movie review & film summary (2016)". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
19. ^ Zacharek, Stephanie (September 1, 2016). "Denis Villeneuve's Arrival Is Somber, Atmospheric, Deep-Thinking Sci-Fi". Time. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
20. ^ Orr, Christopher (November 11, 2016). "The Epic Intimacy of Arrival". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
21. ^ Andrews, Nigel (November 10, 2016). "Film review: Arrival — 'Magical oddity'". Financial Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
22. ^ Clarke, Donald (November 11, 2016). "Arrival review: plausible and intriguing - one of the year's best releases". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
23. ^ Miller, Neil (December 15, 2016). "2016 Austin Film Critics Awards Nominees". Austin Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2022 - via Medium.
24. ^ "2016 Awards". Austin Film Critics Association. December 28, 2016. Archived from the original on May 12, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2022 - via Medium.
25. ^ "Baftas 2017: full list of winners". The Guardian. February 12, 2017. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
26. ^ "Winners and nominees for the 29th Chicago Film Critics Association Awards". Chicago Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
27. ^ "22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards – Winners". Critics Choice Association. December 11, 2016. Archived from the original on June 8, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
28. ^ Coggan, Devan (December 1, 2016). "Critics' Choice Awards 2017 nominees announced". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 19, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
29. ^ Nugent, John (March 19, 2017). "Three Empire Awards 2017: Rogue One, Tom Hiddleston And Patrick Stewart Win Big". Empire. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
30. ^ "'Moonlight' leads 2016 Florida Film Critics Awards Nominations : Florida Film Critics Circle". Florida Film Critics Circle. December 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
31. ^ "2016 FFCC Award Winners : Florida Film Critics Circle". Florida Film Critics Circle. December 23, 2016. Archived from the original on December 24, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
32. ^ "Georgia Film Critics Association: 2016 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
33. ^ "Golden Globes Winners: Complete List". Variety. January 8, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
34. ^ Pederson, Erik (November 18, 2016). "Justin Timberlake & Alexandre Desplat Among Winners At Hollywood Music In Media Awards". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
35. ^ McNary, Dave (November 2, 2016). "'La La Land' Scores Three Hollywood Music in Media Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
36. ^ "Houston Film Critics Nominations". Movie Awards Plus. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
37. ^ "The Houston Film Critics Society Award Winners for 2016". Houston Film Critics Society. January 6, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
38. ^ Greene, Steve (December 19, 2016). "2016 IndieWire Critics Poll: Full List of Results". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
39. ^ Flores, Marshall (December 9, 2016). "San Francisco Film Critics Circle Nominations!". AwardsDaily. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
40. ^ Greene, Steve (December 12, 2016). "'Moonlight' Named Best Picture by San Francisco Film Critics Circle". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
41. ^ ""Moonlight" Awarded Best Picture by Seattle Film Critics Society". Seattle Film Critics Society. January 5, 2017. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
42. ^ "2016 StLFCA Annual Award Winners". St. Louis Film Critics Association. December 18, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
43. ^ "'La La Land' Music to the Ears of D.C. Film Critics". Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. December 5, 2016. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
44. ^ a b "Spotify – Arrival (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Album by Jóhann Jóhannsson". Spotify. November 11, 2016. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
45. ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 - 25 November to 1 December". Official Charts Company. November 25, 2016. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
46. ^ "Soundtracks – Week of December 3, 2016 – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2022.

*[Ref.]: References
*[No.]: Number