ME BEFORE YOU - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2016)




So here’s another compilation of songs packaged as a soundtrack album. There aren’t many reasons to own this CD if you did not particularly love the movie (the Thea Sharrock directed film based on Jojo Moyes’ novel drew some flak from the disabled community for advocating suicide so their loved ones can “live boldly”), or aren’t fans of the artistes represented on the nine track album.

We’re glad to report that the collection of songs on this soundtrack makes for a very great playlist on its own, especially if you’re in the mood to feel emotional about the various facades of life. Of course, it will help if you love music from singers like Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran, X Ambassadors and Max Jury.

For those who watched the surprisingly charming romantic movie, this is a good opportunity to relive the film’s key moments, and realise how music can elevate the story to an entirely new level.  

Kicking off the album is Max Jury’s soulful “Numb” and indie pop duo Holychild’s outlandishly infectious “Happy With Me” – not bad for successfully transiting the two very different moods. Next up, X Ambassadors performs a new track “Unsteady (Erich Lee Gravity Remix)”, a cue that boasts of grandeur, courtesy of a 30 piece orchestra.

Jessie Ware’s moving “Till The End” (also a new track), The 1975’s trippy “The Sound” and Jack Garratt’s hypnotic “Surprise Yourself” form the second section of the soundtrack. Up to this point, the music has been easy on the ears, making this album a breeze to listen to. Cloves’ affecting “Forget About Me” and Ed Sheeran’s radio friendly “Photograph” come on before the CD closes with Imagine Dragons’ “Not Today”, a tune with lyrics written to impress girls.

This is the kind of soundtrack that you’d want to play on a romantic date. Things can’t go wrong with songs as agreeable as these. 

ALBUM RATING:



Recommended Track: 
(3) Unsteady (Erich Lee Gravity Remix) - X Ambassadors

Review by John Li

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TRACK LISTING
1
Numb - Max Jury
2
Happy With Me - Holychild
3
Unsteady (Erich Lee Gravity Remix) - X Ambassadors
4
Till The End (From "Me Before You") - Jessie Ware
5
5 The Sound - The 1975
6
6 Surprise Yourself - Jack Garratt
7
7 Don't Forget About Me - Cloves
8
Photograph - Ed Sheeran
9
Not Today - Imagine Dragons

 

 ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK

Artistes: Various
Label: Universal Music
Release Date: June 3, 2016