13 Reasons Why and other soundtracks

I thought Riverdale, the new take on the characters of the famous Archie Comics of our childhood was dark. Who would have thought there could be murder in their wholesome town Riverdale? But there it is now, Riverdale is a very popular series, being streamed by kids everywhere who are now looking at Archie and his friends like we never did before. Still, it cannot hold a candle against 13 Reasons Why, the Netflix series which tackles bullying and suicide among teenagers.

Based on the novel written by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why tells of how Hannah Baker, a high school student who committed suicide, left behind tapes that contain her 13 reasons for taking her own life. These are passed around among her friends and the people she considered responsible. It is a dark and affecting tale that provides insight into problems that affect young people nowadays. It comes across as real and painful and makes for compelling viewing. However, while eye-opening, it makes one long for the simple times of the old Archie books.

13 Reasons Why comes with a soundtrack album by Various Artists featuring some hit songs from the ’80s. There are also some new tracks led by Only You and Kill Em With Kindness, performed by Selena Gomez who is the executive producer of the series. Also included are Bored by Billie Elish; Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division; Into The Black by the Chromatics; The Night We Met by Lord Huron; A 1000 Times by Hamilton Leithouset + Rostam; The Killing Moon by Roman Remains; High by Sir Sly; Cool Blue by The Japanese House; Fascination Street by The Cure; The Walls Came Down by The Call; and The Stand by The Alarm.tardom.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix.2 by Various Artists. The Volume 1 of the Marvel series from 2014 was such a huge success that it became one of the box-office champions of the year. The soundtrack album proved to be no different. With its mix of the ’70s sounds that Peter Quill found in a cassette tape, it also became one of the biggest-selling releases of the year. In fact, the album is credited with reviving market interest in motion picture soundtracks.

Fast forward to three years later. Guardians of the Galaxy is back for more adventures and it is bigger than ever on the big screen. Volume 2 has an all-star cast that includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, plus icons Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell. Of course, a soundtrack with more great ’70s sounds is coming along for the ride. Maybe history will repeat itself with this one.

The album includes Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra; Fox On The Run by Sweet; Lake Shore Drive by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah; The Chain by Fleetwood Mac; Bring It On Home To Me by Sam Cooke; Southern Nights by Glen Campbell; My Sweet Lord by George Harrison; Brandy You’re A Fine Girl by Looking Glass; Come A Little Bit Closer by Jay and the Americans; Wham Bang Shang-A-Lang by Silver; Surrender by Cheap Trick; Flashlight by Parliament; Father and Son by Cat Stevens; and Guardians Inferno by the Sheepers featuring David Hasselhoff.

The Fast and Furious franchise does not only kill at the box-office. The albums featuring music from the films are every bit as explosive. Remember the phenomenal selling See You Again from Furious 7? Well, Furious 8 titled The Fate of the Furious is now playing in packed theaters and there is, of course, a soundtrack album to go with it. This one is a star-studded package of hip-hop royalty tinged with a Latin touch. The result is a groovy mix made for sexy dancing.  Here is the line-up.

The Fate Of The Furious: The Album. Gang Up by Young Thug, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa and PnB Rock; Go Off by Lil Uzi Vert, Quavo, Travis Scott; Good Life by G-Eazy and Kehlani; Horses by PnB Rock, Kodak Black, A Boogie wit da Hoodie; Seize The Block by Migos; Murder by Young Boy Never Broke Again feat. 21 Savage; Speakerbox by Bassnectar feat. Ohana Bam & Lafa Taylor; Candy Paint by Post Malone; 911 by Kevin Gales; Mamacita by Lil Yachty feat. Rico Nasty; Don’t Get Much Better by Jeremih, Ty Dolla Sign & Sage the Gemini; Hey Ma by Pitbull & J Balvin feat. Camila Cabello; and La Habana, Pinto “Wahin” and DJ Ricky Luna.