I Saw The TV Glow (2024)

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Exploring the "I Saw the TV Glow" Soundtrack: A Nostalgic Sonic Journey

Album Overview.

The soundtrack for *I Saw the TV Glow*, directed by Jane Schoenbrun, serves as an evocative tribute to 1990s and early 2000s teenage angst and indie music culture. With contributions from artists like Caroline Polachek, Phoebe Bridgers, yeule, and King Woman, the album combines timeless emotional depth with fresh reinterpretations. Released by A24 Music on May 10, 2024, the soundtrack accompanies a film rich with themes of identity and nostalgia.

• Release Date: May 10, 2024


• Genre: Feature film soundtrack, Indie, Alternative


• Length: 61:05


• Label: A24 Music


• Singles:
  
  
  
  • "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl" (March 13, 2024)
  
  
  • "Riding Around in the Dark" (April 24, 2024)
  
  
  • "Starburned and Unkissed" (May 3, 2024)
  
  
  
  

Production and Reception.

Director Jane Schoenbrun drew heavily from personal teenage experiences and 1990s nostalgia to craft the film’s musical landscape. The soundtrack was developed as a standalone artistic project while complementing the film’s themes of adolescence, queerness, and identity. Critics lauded the soundtrack for its seamless integration into the narrative and its ability to evoke both era-specific and universal emotions.

Critical response highlighted the album's balance of nostalgia and modernity. Reviews ranged from Pitchfork's praise of its "unrecognizably strange youthful memories" to The Guardian describing it as "perfectly of the time without being pastiche-y."

Track Highlights.

1. "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl" by yeule: A haunting reimagining of the Broken Social Scene classic, setting the nostalgic tone.


2. "Starburned and Unkissed" by Caroline Polachek: A grunge-inspired track capturing teenage solitude in the digital age.


3. "Riding Around in the Dark" by Florist: A melancholic indie anthem about apocalyptic feelings amidst routine life.


4. "Photograph" by Drab Majesty: Inspired by Echo and the Bunnymen, it evokes cinematic nostalgia.


5. "Claw Machine" by Sloppy Jane feat. Phoebe Bridgers: A deeply emotional collaboration closing the soundtrack on an intimate note.

Musical Styles and Themes.

The album embodies the grunge, alternative, and indie music styles that dominated the late 1990s. Tracks like "Green" by L’Rain use surrealist themes, while "If I Could" by Jay Som channels the heartfelt lyricism of Teenage Fanclub. Together, these elements create a tapestry of rebellion, introspection, and yearning that resonates deeply with youthful alienation.

Film Background.

*I Saw the TV Glow* follows the story of two outcast teens, portrayed by Justice Smith and Brigitte Lundy-Paine, whose favorite fictional TV show becomes disturbingly intertwined with their lives. The film explores themes of dysphoria, fandom, and identity through a surreal narrative lens.

Main Cast of the Film.

Justice Smith as Owen.

Justice Smith delivers a nuanced performance as Owen, a teenager struggling with identity and societal expectations.

Brigitte Lundy-Paine as Mack.

Brigitte Lundy-Paine portrays Mack, a rebellious youth whose relationship with Owen forms the emotional core of the story.

Quotes.

"It’s about being a 17-year-old girl and feeling not cis normal."

Jane Schoenbrun

"The soundtrack is a tremendous blend of nostalgia and fresh artistry."

Collider

The *I Saw the TV Glow* soundtrack is both a standalone musical gem and an integral part of the film’s atmosphere, making it a compelling listen for fans of indie music and heartfelt narratives.

December, 01st 2024

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