Trent Reznor (sort of) puts the band back together for the new film Tron:Ares

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have been working together on a range of soundtracks over the last decade and beyond, so the question is what made them put the Nine Inch Nails branding back onto this one? Partly it seems to be the amount of singing that Trent Reznor contributes compared to his other soundtracks as he sings on four tracks. It also seems to have been the suggestion of Disney’s Head of Music Tom MacDougall. Possibly it has become seen as part of the Tron branding to have a big-name band since Daft Punk contributed the soundtrack for Tron Legacy. Anyway, it may have been part of the reason Nine Inch Nails have been touring again this year, so it is very much welcomed, whatever the reason.

It must be stated that this is a proper soundtrack. There are 24 tracks here, some quite short, all designed to match moments from the film. For this reason, putting the NIN branding on it is something of a hindrance. This is solid soundtrack work and it thematically has connections to the two previous films. However, with only four “proper” NIN tracks, maybe only one really (‘As Alive As You Need Me To Be’) that you could imagine as being on a major NIN album, it leaves you feeling a little short changed.

‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ has more of a Boards Of Canada/Aphex Twin feel to it musically while Trent croons over the top. He is joined in a duet part way through by Judeline. It is a really interesting track. ‘I Know You Can Feel It’ has a slow burn industrial groove. ‘Shadow of Me’ pulses along. Vocodered Trent vocals are added to the mix which makes sense within the man/machine questions of the film franchise.

Any fan of Nine Inch Nails or film soundtracks will find enough here to get something out of the experience. For the casual fan you can probably just take the brilliant ‘As Alive As You Need Me To Be’ and add it to a playlist.