Music Review: “Big Little Lies” Soundtrack

Music Review: “Big Little Lies” Soundtrack

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The smash-hit HBO limited series, “Big Little Lies,” directed by Jean-Marc Valleé and based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, came to a close on April 2. The seven-episode drama, starring a powerhouse ensemble (Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Alexander Skarsgård, and Adam Scott) tells the story of three mothers of young children and their seemingly perfect lives that begin to unravel. Set in the picturesque, seaside town of Monterey, California, audiences were enthralled, not just from the idyllic scenery from which the story takes place, or even the colossal, looming question of “who murders who?” But rather, what stuck with the audience after the series ended was it’s masterfully curated soundtrack. Music has always been a tool that elevates film and television, but never before has it so skillfully been used to help define a setting, set the tone, and offer insight into the psyche of a story’s characters. From the series’ opening title sequence featuring Michael Kiwanuka’s epic “Cold Little Heart,” to six year-old Chloe’s savant taste in music (seriously, how does a first grader even know of Fleetwood Mac, or comprehend the lyrics to Leon Bridges’ “River?”) music serves as a central thread that unites the characters, provides context to their distinct points-of-view, and – to the tune of Ituana’s cover of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” – ultimately, solidifies their bond.