Sony Music releases Nicholas Britell’s original soundtrack for ‘Carmen’ featuring Paul Mescal track and video for “Slip Away”

Sony Music Masterworks today released Carmen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), an album of music from the Sony Pictures Classics film by three-time Academy Award nominated, Grammy nominated, and Emmy winning composer, pianist and producer Nicholas Britell. The film is currently in select theaters in Los Angeles and New York.

Available everywhere now, the album includes an original score by Britell as well as original songs co-written by Academy Award nominated Taura Stinson, legendary rapper and songwriter The D.O.C., and Grammy-winning singer songwriter Julieta Venegas and performed in the film by leads Melissa Barrera, Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal and Rossy de Palma, as well as Tracy “The D.O.C.” Curry. Today also features the first-ever official music release for Mescal with a music video to his solo track, “Slip Away,” featuring performance footage from the film.

The album is the result of six years Britell spent in close collaboration with director Benjamin Millepied on the film for which Britell also serves as an executive producer. The final 30-track collection is a body of music as expansive as the film itself, one that soars with majesty and intensity and leads listeners on an unforgettable journey. Millepied’s complete re-imagining of CARMEN tells its story through an experimental dreamscape of a film and is an experience to behold.

Said Britell, “When Benjamin first approached me about Carmen, I remember feeling strongly that I didn’t want to ‘update’ or ‘re-arrange’ any of Bizet’s music. There are already so many incredible adaptations of Carmen. We wanted our approach to be quite different: to write an original score and original songs, imagining this as a Carmen from a parallel universe. This approach also felt right given Benjamin’s instincts to take an experimental and dream-based approach to the feeling of the film.”

Interview: Director Benjamin Millepied opens up about the long journey to ‘Carmen’ and working with Melissa Barrera, Paul Mescal and Rossy de Palma

“Nicholas and I spoke about the music for the film for years before we began production,” adds Millepied. “The original Carmen evokes a complex tapestry of cultures. We wanted to include those as well as remain open to and discover other influences that emerged from our own exploration. I asked Nicholas to write a few pieces ahead of time—dances and songs, but also score. His music inspired such visceral imagery and atmosphere. Our collaboration was a dance of sorts. The result is a rich landscape of music, fully connected to the narrative and visuals.”

There was such an exciting energy between the collaborators. Julieta Venegas remembers a really amazing time with Benjamin and Nicholas where Nicholas was playing the piano, she was singing the first song and Benjamin said “this is the beginning of Carmen.” Taura Stinson says, “The moment after reading the script, I knew that every single word had to be intentional. That, coupled with Nicholas Britell being very specific about wanting the songs to feel like relics from an older world, was my northern star.” Tracy “D.O.C.” Curry elaborates, “I was introduced to the idea of working on Carmen by my good friend Erykah Badu, who put me in contact with Nicholas. I hadn’t recorded in nearly two decades, but was excited to work with such a decorated artist. It was a real pleasure collaborating with Nicholas who has an amazing ear and is a joy to be around. Benjamin was very supportive and creative with how he helped me understand my role and what the character was trying to accomplish. The action was colorful and exciting and had the energy of an early NWA record. I felt right at home.” 

The complete tracklist for Carmen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) and Paul Mescal music video below. Carmen is currently in select theaters in Los Angeles and New York with more cities in the coming weeks.

1. Overture – La Vie Errante
2. L’Oiseau s’envole
3. Aidan – L’Amour est loin
4. Slip Away (Paul Mescal)**
5. At the Mine – Il est là!
6. Lullaby (Melissa Barrera)**
7. Attack – Si tu m’aimais, tu me suivrais
8. Investigation – Regardons passer les gens
9. The Motel – Je veux dire ton nom
10. On the Run – Songe bien
11. Oasis – Quand je vous aimerai
12. Réponds-nous (Nicholas Britell, Tim Fain)
13. After the Dance – Le Ciel Même
14. To Los Angeles
15. Arrival – Ta Promesse
16. Ven a Mí (Nicholas Britell, Rossy de Palma, Tim Fain)**
17. Pour pays l’univers
18. Calling Home – Le Destin
19. Rooftops
20. Masilda and Carmen
21. The Beach – Tout Mon Etre
22. Tú y Yo (Melissa Barrera)**
23. Cello Impromptu in F Minor (Nicholas Britell, Caitlin Sullivan)
24. Waltz Tango (Nicholas Britell, Tim Fain)
25. Jamais Carmen ne cèdera
26. Je l’aime
27. The Police – C’est l’Espada
28. Lullaby / Beyond – Vive La Musique (Nicholas Britell, Melissa Barrera, Paul Mescal)**
29. Rebelle – Bonus Track
30. Pelea (The D.O.C.)**

**Denotes original vocal songs