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The Best Film Scores of February 2023

The Film Scorer

Despite my promises, my catch-up on this column is nonexistent; but at least I’m not falling behind too much now. Will that last? Will the winter holidays give me a chance to catch up? Or will they further inspire my sloth? Only time will tell… With that out of the way, it’s better to move forward than to dwell on my delays. February was an interesting month for releases, at least with my tastes, because even though some major composers (Christophe Beck, Mark Mothersbaugh, Bear McCreary) released scores this month, I found myself primarily attracted to scores largely by composers I wasn’t at all familiar with. And frankly, that’s always a joy. As always, if you think I’ve missed any scores from this month (or any past months), leave a comment or get in touch and I’ll check them out!

Once again there were (as always) too many scores released this month for me to me to cover! Make sure to scroll to the end of this article for a list of even more January scores to check out!

Have a quick read about each of these excellent scores below then give them a listen. Be sure to see what other scores you may have missed by reading past editions of this column or listen below to hear me discuss a few of these and other scores released in January, February, and March:

Creature – Vincenzo Lamagna

One of my favorite things about this column (at least, when I remember to write it) is the opportunity to shine a light on independent or otherwise under-heard scores. Case in point: Vincenzo Lamagna’s score for Creature. Lamagna uses some surprising elements – like sampling dialogue/speech, significant repetition, and drone – to create moments of isolation and paranoia. Haunted whispers float over ominous buzzing, electronic swells smother us into suffocation. Lamagna gives us a brief catharsis via a choral coda that borders on the religious, but when drones sneak in we start to wonder, is it enough for salvation?

Three Ways – EmmoLei Sankofa

EmmoLei Sankofa is a new name for me, and she seems to have had a bit of a breakout this year. That all started with her score for Three Ways. For this sex comedy, Sankofa mixes sounds imitating sex and orgasm with some lighter, very percussive jazz. The result is a cool sexiness that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Linoleum – Mark Hadley

Mark Hadley is another composer that I wasn’t familiar with prior to this article, but his score for Linoleum made me take notice. Devout readers (or listeners) will know that I’m a sucker for synth and ambient, and Mark Hadley’s experience in releasing solo ambient works serves him well here. In Linoleum he creates a dreamy synth world that’s inviting and enveloping. But in the depths of this world lingers a darkness, waiting for to consume the errant listener…

Sharper – Clint Mansell

Rounding out the group is a composer that I’m very familiar with. Lately, Clint Mansell hasn’t been scoring that many films, likely tied-up with the various shows he’s been working on (like Peacemaker, Doom Patrol, and Titans). Luckily, he’s snuck one film release in this year: Sharper. This is a bit more of a conventional score from Mansell, but one that slowly pulls you out of reality and blankets you in mystery. It’s ever-inquisitive and inexplicable, and in that sense reminiscent of his very underrated score Out of Blue. Hopefully Mansell dives back into film scoring more fully, but until then I’ll gladly take what he does release.

A Few More Scores

As often happens, there were simply too many great scores released in February to cover, so here are a few more:

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