Bottoms (Original Motion Picture Score) is the soundtrack to the 2023 film of the same name directed by Emma Seligman. Released in conjunction with the film's limited theatrical premiere on August 25, 2023 by Milan Records, the album consisted of 27 tracks from the film's score composed in their collaborative effort between singer-songwriter Charli XCX and composer Leo Birenberg;[1] Bottoms further marked the former's feature film scoring debut.[2][3] The soundtrack is further produced by George Daniel and A. G. Cook, who also composed additional music with Ramiro Rodriguez Zamarripa.[4][5]
| Bottoms (Original Motion Picture Score) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | August 25, 2023 | |||
| Length | 45:05 | |||
| Label | Milan | |||
| Producer |
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| Charli XCX chronology | ||||
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| Leo Birenberg chronology | ||||
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Development
editDuring the production of the film, Seligman and the lead actress-screenwriter Rachel Sennott wanted a Y2K sad girl anthem for the film, based on the lines of "Come Clean" by Hilary Duff.[6] She listened to Charli XCX's songs in her playlist while writing the script, and Charli happened to record a song "Hot Girl" for Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) that also starred Sennott.[7] In a podcast conversation with Senott, Charli claimed that she was a fan of Sennott and Seligman's Shiva Baby (2020) and insisted on her contribution to the film. Though Sennott felt that Charli would collaborate for one of the songs, she persuaded her to write the film's score for the film. Seligman claimed that:[8]
"What is so amazing about her, not only does she have a singular voice, but she can do an emotional [song], she can do fun, she can do exciting, everything. She also happens to be a queer icon who is so beloved, is such an incredible ally, and supports queer artists so much."[8][9]
Later, Birenberg was involved in the film's music composition process, by augmenting the production and solely composing few of themes, making it as a collaboration between the two artists.[8]
Reception
editKatie Rife of IGN wrote "Even the music has a lot going on, combining Charli XCX's '80s-style synth score with hilariously timed needle drops from Avril Lavigne and Bonnie Tyler. An excess of material is far from the worst problem a comedy can have, to be fair."[10] Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com complimented "The movie features needle drops aplenty, and extra modern beats provided by Leo Birenberg and Charli XCX. It’s one silly bit after another, like candies rolling off a conveyor belt."[11]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bottoms" | 1:54 | |
| 2. | "Yes No Okay" | XCX | 3:05 |
| 3. | "School Fair" |
| 1:32 |
| 4. | "Jeff" | Birenberg | 0:41 |
| 5. | "Vehicular Jeff-slaughter" | Birenberg | 1:16 |
| 6. | "Tim to the Rescue" | Birenberg | 0:52 |
| 7. | "Lockers" |
| 0:39 |
| 8. | "Huntington Horrors" | Birenberg | 1:09 |
| 9. | "Mr. G" |
| 1:21 |
| 10. | "Teaching Each Other" |
| 1:10 |
| 11. | "Tim's Suspicions" | Birenberg | 0:55 |
| 12. | "Josie at Juvie" |
| 1:16 |
| 13. | "Study Buddies" | Birenberg | 0:44 |
| 14. | "Car Wash" |
| 1:15 |
| 15. | "Not in the System" | Birenberg | 0:36 |
| 16. | "Sex with Mrs. Callahan" | Birenberg | 0:32 |
| 17. | "All Night" |
| 3:22 |
| 18. | "Be With" |
| 3:46 |
| 19. | "Thank You for Attending Today's Pep Rally" | Birenberg | 4:22 |
| 20. | "QB Murders" | Birenberg | 0:34 |
| 21. | "The Final Fucking Hour" |
| 1:21 |
| 22. | "Need to Stop the Game" | Birenberg | 2:18 |
| 23. | "Setting Up the Bomb" | Birenberg | 1:52 |
| 24. | "Pineapple Juice" |
| 1:46 |
| 25. | "Final Face-Off" |
| 1:06 |
| 26. | "End Credits" | Birenberg | 3:47 |
| 27. | "Dream (Alternate Fight Sequence)" |
| 1:54 |
| Total length: | 45:05 | ||
References
edit- ^ Vito, Jo (August 25, 2023). "Charli XCX and Leo Birenberg unveil soundtrack for Bottoms: Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ "Charli XCX is definitely A24's favorite pop girl". The A.V. Club. March 22, 2023. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ "Charli XCX is reportedly a co-composer for Bottoms film score". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ "Charli XCX & Leo Birenberg Release Their Score For Queer Teen Comedy 'Bottoms': Stream". Stereogum. August 25, 2023. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ "Listen to Charli XCX's Score for Teen Comedy Movie 'Bottoms'". Hypebeast. August 26, 2023. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ Lim, Megan; Handel, Sarah; Chang, Ailsa (August 25, 2023). "'Bottoms' gives the classic teen sex comedy an absurd queer twist". National Public Radio. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ Macias, Ernesto (September 30, 2022). "Rachel Sennott and Charli XCX Enter Hot Girl Mode". Interview Magazine. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c Jones, Rendy (March 17, 2023). "How BFF filmmaking duo Emma Seligman & Rachel Sennott made 'Bottoms,' their dream teen sex comedy". Alternative Press Magazine. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ Giorgis, Hannah (August 25, 2023). "The Raunchy Teen Comedy Gets a Queer Twist". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
...The score was co-composed by the pop star Charli XCX, a darling of the queer internet
- ^ Rife, Katie (August 25, 2023). "Bottoms Review". IGN India. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ Castillo, Monica. "Bottoms movie review & film summary (2023)". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.