I’ve been familiar with Yair Elazar Glotman ever since I heard his score for Last and First Men, which he co-composed with the great Jóhann Jóhannsson. As such, it’s great to finally have him on the show! Yair and I primarily talk about his score for the new Netflix crime thriller Reptile, for which Yair has composed a fairly dense, abstract, and textural score. The score – and the film overall – has homages to older noir films, helping solidify this film as a sort of neo-noir, but it’s also aware of itself and these influences, giving them nods while also attempting something new and distinct. Along the way, we hit a number of other points, like Yair’s constant quest for inspiration and knowledge (whether it be studying different playing or recording techniques, new composers, or esoteric music concepts), how scores and solo albums influence one another, and more.
As the film’s director, Grant Singer, makes his feature directing debut here, I wondered if that would cause some growing pains for the collaboration between Grant and Yair. This wasn’t the case. Grant and Yair quickly got onto the same page regarding music, in large part because of Grant’s background directing music videos and their long conversations and deep dives nerding out about music. As a result, not only does Yair deliver a unique score perfectly suited for the film, but some of the stingers and music choices are so specific that they even deliver the punchline for the film’s best joke.
Reptile is currently available on Netflix while Yair’s score, and much of his other music, is available on all major platforms. Meanwhile, you can find out more about Yair on his website.
Have a listen to our conversation below or wherever you get your podcasts (including Spotify and Apple Podcasts). Enjoying these interviews? Show the love by subscribing and leaving a rating or review!
About Reptile
“Detective Tom Nichols (Benicio Del Toro) is on the trail of a killer — and the only thing standing in his way is his own past. “He’s a man of destiny,” Del Toro told Netflix about the character he plays in Reptile, a new thriller directed by Grant Singer. “He’s a man who gets a second chance, but then something happens and a reckoning occurs.”
As Detective Nichols, Del Toro (Traffic, The Usual Suspects) dives deep into the web of conspiracy and corruption that’s enveloping his small-town life. A new clip of the movie shows Nichols and his partner Dan Cleary (Ato Essandoh) as they attempt to apprehend a suspect in a brutal murder that has rocked the stability of their town.” – From Netflix
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