Confidenza (soundtrack)

Confidenza (English: Trust) is the soundtrack for the 2024 Italian drama film Confidenza, composed by the English musician Thom Yorke and produced by Sam Petts-Davies. It is Yorke's second feature film score. It was released on 26 April 2024 through XL Recordings.

Confidenza
Soundtrack album by
Released26 April 2024
Studio
  • RAK, London
  • Radiohead studio, Oxfordshire
Length36:09
LabelXL
ProducerSam Petts-Davies
Thom Yorke chronology
Anima
(2019)
Confidenza
(2024)
Singles from Confidenza
  1. "Knife Edge / Prize Giving"
    Released: 22 April 2024

Background and recording edit

The Confidenza director, Daniele Luchetti, first worked with Yorke on a documentary about Carla Fracci, Codice Carla, which used music by Yorke's band Atoms for Peace.[1] Yorke agreed to compose for Confidenza after the script "evoked some musical threads".[1]

Luchetti described their process as finding "a way in sideways; building the music more through the subtext than through the narrative itself". Yorke and Luchetti "were constantly searching for something that sounded a bit off".[1] Luchetti said they wanted to create tension while making the characters' fears appear "ridiculous".[2]

The score features the London Contemporary Orchestra and a jazz ensemble including the drummer Tom Skinner and the saxophonist Robert Stillman, both of whom have performed with Yorke's band the Smile.[3] It was produced by Sam Petts-Davies, who produced Yorke's 2018 soundtrack Suspiria and the 2024 Smile album Wall of Eyes.[4][5]

Promotion and release edit

Yorke's involvement was announced in January 2024, ahead of the film's premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.[6] Yorke's music was used in the main trailer.[7] In February, Yorke played the track "The Big City" during one of the Smile's Artist in Residence shows for BBC Radio 6 Music.[8]

The soundtrack was announced on 22 April 2024, alongside the singles "Knife Edge" and "Prize Giving". Videos were released for "Knife Edge" and "Four Ways in Time", featuring footage from the film arranged by the film's editor, Ael Dallier Vega.[9][10][11] The soundtrack was released on streaming services on 26 April to coincide with the film's Italian release, with a retail release on 12 July.[12]

Reception edit

Ryan Reed of Spin wrote that the soundtrack "finds its own compelling arc as a front-to-back album" and "feels like a blink-and-you'll-miss-it flag-plant moment".[13] Alex Hudson of Exclaim! chose it as a "staff pick", writing that it was "low-stakes" but "compelling music worth listening to", and would be welcome for Radiohead fans.[14] In BrookylnVegan, Andrew Sacher said the soundtrack worked independently of the film and felt the instrumentals were among the standouts.[15]

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by Thom Yorke.

Confidenza track listing
No.TitleLength
1."The Big City"7:49
2."Knife Edge"3:19
3."Letting Down Gently"1:18
4."Secret Clarinet"1:23
5."In the Trees"1:20
6."Prize Giving"3:12
7."Four Ways in Time"4:56
8."Confidenza"3:47
9."Nosebleed Nuptials"3:36
10."Bunch of Flowers"2:11
11."A Silent Scream"0:38
12."On the Ledge"2:30
Total length:36:09

Personnel edit

  • Thom Yorke – composition and lyrics, vocals, performance, front cover art
  • Sam Petts-Davies – production, mixing, engineering
  • Hugh Brunt – orchestration, conducting
  • Matt Colton – mastering
  • Francesca Edwards – assistant engineering (RAK London)
  • Stanley Donwood – design
  • London Contemporary Orchestra – string performance
  • Jazz Ensemble
    • Robert Stillman (band leader) – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, clarinet
    • Chelsea Carmichael – flute, alto flute, tenor saxophone
    • Tom Challenger – baritone saxophone, clarinet, tenor saxophone
    • Pete Wareham – baritone saxophone, flute
    • Byron Wallen – trumpet, flugelhorn
    • Nathaniel Cross – trombone, bass trombone
    • Rosie Turnton – trombone
    • Tom Herbert – double bass
    • Neil Charles – double bass
    • Tom Skinner – drums and percussion

Charts edit

Chart performance for Confidenza
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[16] 29
UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[17] 11

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Vivarelli, Nick (25 January 2024). "'Trust' Director Daniele Luchetti on Getting Thom Yorke to Score the Relationship Drama: 'A Beautiful Surprise'". Variety. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Confidenza, in esclusiva il backstage della colonna sonora di Thom Yorke". Rolling Stone Italia (in Italian). 24 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  3. ^ Harrison, Scoop (22 April 2024). "Thom Yorke Previews Confidenza Film Score with Two Tracks". Consequence. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  4. ^ Kreps, Daniel (13 November 2023). "Radiohead side project the Smile return with new album Wall of Eyes". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  5. ^ Pearis, Bill. "Thom Yorke scores new film 'Confidenza' (hear 2 tracks)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  6. ^ Bloom, Madison (24 January 2024). "Thom Yorke Pens Score for New Daniele Luchetti Film Confidenza". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Thom Yorke Previews Score For Daniele Luchetti's New Movie 'Confidenza'". Stereogum. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  8. ^ Murray, Robin (22 April 2024). "Thom Yorke to release Confidenza score this week". Clash. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  9. ^ Jones, Damian (22 April 2024). "Thom Yorke shares full details of 'Confidenza' soundtrack and music video for new song 'Knife Edge'". NME. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  10. ^ Grow, Kory (22 April 2024). "Thom Yorke Warns You to Run Away in Pensive New 'Confidenza' Soundtrack Song". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  11. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara. "Thom Yorke unveils a music visual for "Four Ways In Time"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  12. ^ Hudson, Alex. "Thom Yorke Details 'Confidenza' Soundtrack Album, Shares Two New Songs | Exclaim!". Exclaim!. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  13. ^ Reed, Ryan (26 April 2024). "Thom Yorke Keeps Exploring With Haunting Confidenza Soundtrack". Spin. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  14. ^ Hudson, Alex (30 April 2024). "Thom Yorke's 'Confidenza' Score Is a Welcome Consolation for Radiohead Fans". Exclaim!. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  15. ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Stream Thom Yorke's 'Confidenza' score, including new vocal song "Four Ways In Time"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  16. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 6 May 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1783. Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 May 2024. p. 10.
  17. ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 May 2024.