Smuggler's Blues: 'Star Wars' Spin-Off 'Solo' Gets Mondo Vinyl Release, Digital Expanded Soundtrack

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2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story sharply divided fans and Star Wars aficionados. The film, chronicling the early years of Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian, endured a bumpy – and very public – road to theatres that saw original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) replaced by veteran Ron Howard. But while reviews were mixed on the film, one crucial element consistently earned well-deserved recognition: John Powell’s score. In recent weeks, an expanded edition of the original soundtrack came to digital download and streaming services, growing from 20 cues to 35, and tomorrow Mondo will begin pre-orders for a limited edition vinyl pressing of the original (non-expanded) album.

London-born Powell had his first major breakthrough in Hollywood scoring the 1997 action film Face/Off. He quickly demonstrated his versatility as co-composer with Harry Gregson-Williams of DreamWorks’ animated Antz. The pair would reteam on Chicken Run and the first Shrek and Powell would also team successfully with Hans Zimmer on Chill Factor and The Road to El Dorado. Powell struck out on his own with a variety of films from the somber (United 93) to the lighthearted (Happy Feet). He received an Academy Award nomination for his work on DreamWorks’ 2010 hit How to Train Your Dragon and went on to score its 2019 sequel. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World would inspire an album from Powell of piano solos. He’s also written and/or recorded concert works including A Prussian Requiem (first performed at London’s Royal Festival Hall to mark the 100th anniversary of World War I) and Hubris: Choral Works by John Powell.

Powell channeled the spirit of original Star Wars composer John Williams with his alternately playful, dramatic, romantic, and exciting score. In addition, he deftly integrated some of Williams’ classic melodies from Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Phantom Menace – including the famous Main Theme, “Rebel Fanfare,” “Imperial/Stormtrooper Motif,” “Death Star Motif,” and more – into his cues. He received a Grammy nomination for his work on Solo.

The expanded soundtrack, now streaming on all digital services, boasts 35 cues arranged in film order, but it drops John Williams’ “The Adventures of Han” which the legendary composer both wrote and conducted. (That track opened the prior soundtrack release.) You can peruse the complete track listing of the expanded Solo: A Star Wars Story soundtrack below.

PRE-ORDER BEGINNING 12/2 AT MONDO SHOP

Meanwhile, tomorrow, December 2, is the date when orders begin for Mondo’s double-vinyl version of the original album including Williams’ theme. This edition will be pressed on 180-gram “hyperspace” color vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket with exclusive new artwork by César Moreno. Pre-orders begin tomorrow at MondoShop.com. You’ll find that track listing below, too.

May the Force be with you!

John Powell, Solo: A Star Wars Story – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Deluxe Edition) (Walt Disney Records, digital-only, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)