Bodysong (album)

Bodysong is the debut album by British musician and composer Jonny Greenwood, released in 2003 on EMI Records. It serves as the soundtrack to the experimental documentary film of the same name, directed by Simon Pummell.

The album features a diverse range of musical styles, reflecting the film's fragmented and often surreal depiction of the human experience. Greenwood blends orchestral arrangements, electronic textures, musique concrète, and elements of jazz and folk music to create a soundscape that is both unsettling and beautiful.

Unlike typical film scores which are designed to be subtle and supportive of the visuals, Bodysong often takes a more prominent role, becoming a central part of the film's narrative. The music is highly experimental and challenges conventional notions of film scoring.

The album received generally positive reviews, with critics praising Greenwood's innovative approach to composition and his ability to create a cohesive and engaging listening experience from such disparate musical elements. Some critics, however, found the album to be somewhat inaccessible without the visual context of the film.

The track list includes pieces with titles such as "Splitter," "Bode Radio," and "Iron Horizon," often evocative of the film's themes of physicality, vulnerability, and the human condition. Bodysong stands as a notable example of Greenwood's work outside of his contributions to the band Radiohead, showcasing his talent as a composer and his willingness to explore unconventional sonic territories.