Us (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the official soundtrack album for Jordan Peele’s 2019 psychological horror film Us. The score was composed and produced by Michael Abels, marking his second feature‑film collaboration with Peele following Get Out (2017). The album was released on March 15 2019 through Back Lot Music.
Background
The film’s narrative explores themes of duality and identity, which the composer reflected in a varied musical palette that blends traditional orchestral elements with non‑Western instruments such as violin, cimbalom, karimba, berimbau, and didgeridoo. Abels incorporated choral textures employing nonsensical syllables to evoke an unsettling, “evil march” quality without referencing any specific culture. Specific instrumental motifs were assigned to characters; for example, the cimbalom underscores the doppelgänger Umbrae (Zora), while solo violin passages accompany scenes involving Red (Adelaide’s counterpart).
Composition
The soundtrack consists primarily of Abels’ original score, supplemented by three pre‑existing songs featured in the film:
- “I Like That” – Janelle Monáe
- “I Got 5 on It” – Luniz (presented both in its original form and an orchestral remix)
- “Les Fleurs” – Minnie Riperton
The opening track, “Anthem,” combines a rising choir with drum beats and chimes to create a foreboding march‑like atmosphere. Throughout the score, Abels blends conventional horror motifs with experimental timbres, aiming to support Peele’s vision of a sonic world that parallels the film’s visual design.
Release
- Release date: March 15 2019 (digital and CD)
- Vinyl edition: September 13 2019
- Label: Back Lot Music
- Length: 74 minutes 59 seconds
The album’s chronology places it after Abels’ Get Out soundtrack (2017) and before his work on See You Yesterday (2019).
Reception
Critical response highlighted the score’s inventive use of instrumentation and its role in reinforcing the film’s themes of duality. Reviewers noted that the choral elements and unconventional instrument choices contributed to a distinct auditory identity for the movie, distinguishing it from typical horror soundtracks.
Track listing (selected)
| No. | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthem | Choir with percussive elements; described as an “evil march.” |
| — | I Like That – Janelle Monáe | Featured song from the film’s die‑getic soundtrack. |
| — | I Got 5 on It – Luniz (original & orchestral remix) | Central to a key showdown scene; both versions appear on the album. |
| — | Les Fleurs – Minnie Riperton | Used in the film’s closing sequence. |
| … | (Remaining original score tracks) | Comprise the bulk of the 74‑minute runtime. |
All information is sourced from the Wikipedia article “Us (soundtrack).”
