Challengers (2024)

[sonic_discord]

Apparently TR & AR are also composing the score for Luca Guadagnino's NEXT film, Challengers. (https://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/10/16/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-scoring-luca-guadagninos-challengers/)

Mod note: Sexy tennis comedy, starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor. Already in post-production and due for release on August 11, 2023 (update: delayed to 2024 due to actor's strike)

[Toadflax]

Died. Said 'fist fuck' and won a Grammy. Scored a sexy tennis comedy and won an Oscar.

[paul_guyet]

Why is "sexy tennis comedy" harder to wrap my brain around than "Pixar film starring Jamie Foxx"?

[paul_guyet]

Died. Said 'fist fuck' and won a Grammy. Scored a sexy tennis comedy and won an Oscar.That tombstone is getting bigger and bigger...

[fillow]

They should bring Ilan on board for this one (he's a total tennis nerd).
Also I can't get out of my head that Wimbledon movie after reading the synopsis.

[simonn]

https://twitter.com/ClNEMASOLACE/status/1594038726014881792

The score for this film is going to be like House music according to this quote. Odd one!

[Toadflax]

https://twitter.com/ClNEMASOLACE/status/1594038726014881792

The score for this film is going to be like House music according to this quote. Odd one!

Watchmen felt to me like, "what if Driver Down were the basis for an entire soundtrack?" I'd LOVE to hear an TR/AR score that sounds like In Motion was the basis.

[paul_guyet]

https://twitter.com/ClNEMASOLACE/status/1594038726014881792

The score for this film is going to be like House music according to this quote. Odd one!
Based on this, I am fully on board.

[Mister Squishy]

Based on this, I am fully on board.

Same. I am so ready for this.

[Mank]

https://twitter.com/ClNEMASOLACE/status/1594038726014881792

The score for this film is going to be like House music according to this quote. Odd one!

Well Zendaya will be burning the house down, so makes sense.

In all seriousness though I'm so excited about Trent & Atticus working with Luca for one (Luca worked with Thom Yorke on Suspiria), then scoring a film with Zendaya in it, and then just overall another TR&AR score overall. So this and The Killer alone have me excited for 2023.

[Toadflax]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJOPZYaNVgQ

[cdm]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJOPZYaNVgQ

Interesting given the initial description was "sexy romantic sports comedy" and that's....not the vibe I'm picking up here.

[Something Underneath]

Probably gonna be another farse from Guadagnino like his previous two films but just like those two I'm watching solely for the score.

[simonn]

So, do we think that the music in the trailer is Trent and Atticus with Zendaya singing over it, similar to the way the Halsey album turned out?

[paul_guyet]

So, do we think that the music in the trailer is Trent and Atticus with Zendaya singing over it, similar to the way the Halsey album turned out?I thought LG said it was going to be "house music"? So...maybe?

[WorzelG]

So, do we think that the music in the trailer is Trent and Atticus with Zendaya singing over it, similar to the way the Halsey album turned out?
Hoping this one will get some Oscar love, the Bones one and Empire of Light seemed to flop a bit, need another run like Watchmen, Mank and Soul

[Wulgaren]

So, do we think that the music in the trailer is Trent and Atticus with Zendaya singing over it, similar to the way the Halsey album turned out?

pretty sure its just an epic theatrical remix of rihanna’s s&m like its been popular lately in movie trailers


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[cahernandez]

Challengers is getting delayed to spring next year, due to the writers and actors' strike: https://deadline.com/2023/07/zendaya-challengers-actors-strike-release-date-1235444723/

[Leviathant]

Oomf. Sounds like the strike actually provided cover for a production that was way behind schedule, given the earlier August 11 release date.

[allegate]

C1ktjOMLWt1

[paul_guyet]

So...just to recap...this is a spots comedic drama set in the 90s with TR/AR doing a house/drum n bass score?

[Toadflax]

So...just to recap...this is a spots comedic drama set in the 90s with TR/AR doing a house/drum n bass score?

I expect we'll still be trying to figure out what this movie is years after it comes out.

[TheBang]

So...just to recap...this is a spots comedic drama set in the 90s with TR/AR doing a house/drum n bass score?
You forgot the sexy part.

[paul_guyet]

You forgot the sexy part.FUCK. I'm always forgetting the sexy part.

[otnavuskire]

1772877589851570331

Is this possibly a taste of the score?

[cdm]

Is this possibly a taste of the score?

No hits on Soundhound but that definitely sounds like TR/AR.

[thelastdisciple]

That's a safe assumption I'd say, what a slapper!

[Lastentrance]

1772877589851570331

Is this possibly a taste of the score?

Sounds like it. And this definitely is:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKblXQBeweU

[simonn]

https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a60378909/challengers-reactions/

Lots of positive mentions of the 'pulsing' score, could we be back in TSN territory?

[Reznor2112]

Not sure why, but if you go to Instagram and add a story, then go to add "Music" ...type in Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross... you will see all of the tracks from the Challengers score and you can use (or just listen) to 30 second samples of 4 of the trackshttps://i.ibb.co/WVgP3TV/IMG-3535.jpg.

Went to Apple Music and iTunes store to check (since this is where Instagram pulls the "Music" for stories from) but nothing there. Strange that you can get listen to samples on Instagram but nowhere else. Mistake?

[opal]

Wow, that's random. But I jusg checked out the snippets and they sound cool.

[paul_guyet]

I am so fucking sold on this score. Also, that bassline in "Yeah x 10" is ABSOLUTELY from "Feel Good Time".

[thefragile_jake]

Wow, yeah I checked out the samples too and I can't wait for this. This is a direction I would completely love them to go on for a new Nine Inch Nails album. Give me house music/EBM style NIN.

I feel like I'm gonna be bobbing my head a lot while watching this movie ... the only other movie that made me want to dance from the score like this potentially will was Gaspar Noe's CLIMAX.

[otnavuskire]

Based on a clip in one of the Instagram stories on the official Challengers instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/challengersmovie/), sounds like we're getting some singing from Trent on the score!

This link (https://www.instagram.com/stories/direct/3340505971247017633_52664891191) should bring you directly to the particular story, if you have an Instagram account. Until the story expires, anyway.

EDIT: Someone ripped it and posted it on Reddit for all to see and hear!

https://www.reddit.com/r/nin/comments/1by63eq/trent_vocals_on_challengers_ost/

[simonn]

Great to hear some vocals on these soundtracks every now and then. First time I heard it on Bones and All, I was so shocked but happy too!

[BJM]

Went to Apple Music and iTunes store to check (since this is where Instagram pulls the "Music" for stories from) but nothing there.

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/add-music-to-an-instagram-story says:


Instagram offers a selection of tunes from its own library and your favorite music streaming services, like Spotify, SoundCloud, and Shazam.

So those samples could just be from its own library.

[gorast]

Sony posted this teaser (https://x.com/sonysoundtracks/status/1778453252897419582?s=46&t=HV_rd_pVXqXT_zwPVa74aQ) for the score today, with a note saying that “new music” is dropping at midnight - does that mean a single ahead of the full score, like when we got A Minute to Breathe ahead of the Before the Flood score? If there are vocal tracks on this score like there seem to be, a single makes sense, and it feels like Sony’s putting particular emphasis on promoting the score itself. Guess we’ll find out tonight either way.

[arsenic]

Boys Noize remixes are out already in Australia, not the full OST though.

The track "Compress/Repress" is the one with the vocals that was played on the red carpet and to me it seems that it's actually the remix that was played on the red carpet so I'm curious to hear the original.

[allegate]

Sony posted this teaser (https://x.com/sonysoundtracks/status/1778453252897419582?s=46&t=HV_rd_pVXqXT_zwPVa74aQ) for the score today, with a note saying that “new music” is dropping at midnight - does that mean a single ahead of the full score, like when we got A Minute to Breathe ahead of the Before the Flood score? If there are vocal tracks on this score like there seem to be, a single makes sense, and it feels like Sony’s putting particular emphasis on promoting the score itself. Guess we’ll find out tonight either way.
it'd be neat to get a sampler like with the dragon tattoo score (https://www.discogs.com/master/1169672-Trent-Reznor-and-Atticus-Ross-The-Girl-With-The-Dragon-Tattoo-6-Track-Sampler) or the one Mank track that I can't find proof of but swear exists.

[BJM]

Sony posted this teaser (https://x.com/sonysoundtracks/status/1778453252897419582?s=46&t=HV_rd_pVXqXT_zwPVa74aQ) for the score today, with a note saying that “new music” is dropping at midnight - does that mean a single ahead of the full score, like when we got A Minute to Breathe ahead of the Before the Flood score? If there are vocal tracks on this score like there seem to be, a single makes sense, and it feels like Sony’s putting particular emphasis on promoting the score itself. Guess we’ll find out tonight either way.

Is this a legit upload:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bubKYV72-Ng

?

Oh wow, there's a whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mfYOP2ivbqztrINF_Utf1MDKWsI6 BEiUE

[Wulgaren]

there are 9 tracks available, it says mixed not remixed which usually is used for dj mixes so i guess it’s like a preview mix of the whole album

and yeah that’s a legit upload

[otnavuskire]

Is this a legit upload:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bubKYV72-Ng

?

Oh wow, there's a whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mfYOP2ivbqztrINF_Utf1MDKWsI6 BEiUE

Yup, the soundtrack is out in places where it's already Friday.

[Wulgaren]

there are 9 tracks available, it says mixed not remixed which usually is used for dj mixes so i guess it’s like a preview mix of the whole album

and yeah that’s a legit upload

this really sounds like tr&ar trying hard to make house music, but it still sounds totally like them trying not like proper house and it’s a weird mesh lol

[BJM]

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/in/album/challengers-mixed-by-boys-noize/1739395310

[BJM]

I also found this playlist for the 30 second previews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_koxJX9Nb19_DEYpN0tMb3FasmDGC NbIaQ

[gorast]

Okay, so, it seems like we have the soundtrack proper, and also this DJ mix of the soundtrack (or selections from it)? Interesting...the date for the [MIXED] version is tomorrow. Wonder if the regular soundtrack will also be out at that point.

[atomobile]

there are 9 tracks available, it says mixed not remixed which usually is used for dj mixes so i guess it’s like a preview mix of the whole album

and yeah that’s a legit upload
The top of the artwork reads MIXED BY BOYS NOIZE, implying these are not the original versions (which will be Trent and Atticuss only, not Boys Noize). I doubt they would give credit to a third party that is just selecting tracks (which I'm sure Trent would do without help...).

[TheBang]

Boys Noize is credited for Production and Remixing in the credits.

Mariqueen is also a credited performer on Yeah x10 and Compress / Repress


Edit: The official announcement on Discord confirms that these are remixes: "Reworked and remixed by producer and DJ Boys Noize"

[Wulgaren]

Boys Noize is credited for Production and Remixing in the credits.

Mariqueen is also a credited performer on Yeah x10 and Compress / Repress

dope then i hope original versions are better lol

[BJM]

FLACs available here for "Challengers [MIXED] by Boys Noize": https://ototoy.jp/_/default/p/2073602

Wow, that site is not user-friendly. "Are you sure you want to download this album?" Considering I've just paid €15 for it: yes, absolutely. And then a multi-minute download time for a 200 MB ZIP file. It ain't no Bandcamp...

[TheBang]

FLACs available here for "Challengers [MIXED] by Boys Noize": https://ototoy.jp/_/default/p/2073602

Wow, that site is not user-friendly. "Are you sure you want to download this album?" Considering I've just paid €15 for it: yes, absolutely. And then a multi-minute download time for a 200 MB ZIP file. It ain't no Bandcamp...
Ototoy is a Japanese retailer. They're usually region restricted, so it seems this release is not restricted for some reason. It's going to be on all the retailer sites though. You might as well wait for Qobuz in your region. It's already available on Qobuz in everything from UK/EU and eastward. It'll be on Qobuz US in a few hours. Also, it's available in 24/48. You linked the 16-bit version only on Ototoy.

[tricil]

hopefully this’ll introduce more NIN fans to Boys Noize who absolutely slap (check out his 06 Depeche remix)

I’m stoked for this!

[NIN64]

https://youtu.be/Rnqax-gNRSk?si=wFZrTT-mnWeVH_9j

[thefragile_jake]

Looks like it's on streaming ... about to go find my good pair of headphones.

EDIT: Love the opening track, but I just now caught that this is just the Boys Noize mix. Do we know when the official OST is set to drop at all? I can't seem to find anyone mention that.

[gorast]

Looks like it's on streaming ... about to go find my good pair of headphones.

EDIT: Love the opening track, but I just now caught that this is just the Boys Noize mix. Do we know when the official OST is set to drop at all? I can't seem to find anyone mention that.

The unofficial expectation is that the proper soundtrack will come out on the 26th in tandem with the release of the film.

That said, this mix? It's bangin'. It makes me very interested to hear the full soundtrack to see just how much work Boys Noize did on top of it beyond melding the tracks into a continuous run. Presumably the proper soundtrack has the same groove to it as this mix, maybe just a little more subdued or something. We'll find out soon in any case.

[thefragile_jake]

yeah holy shit this is really good. i hope the actual OST hits just as hard.

[richardp]

Well Compress / Repress just reignited a massive desire for a new HTDA album

[magnolia]

Oooh man I’m loving these
My only complaint is I want more!

I can already tell “I Know” & “Compress / Repress” will get a lot of rotation from me


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[jmtd]

Odds of this one hitting Bandcamp?

[BJM]

Here's the link on Qobuz in Belgium: https://www.qobuz.com/be-fr/album/challengers-mixed-by-boys-noize-trent-reznor-and-atticus-ross-boys-noize/ch37gwvytxbyb . Available in 24-Bit/48 kHz. Total cost just below €20.


(P) 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. & "Compress / Repress" (P) 2024 The Null Corporation II/Missing Pieces, Inc., under exclusive license to Milan Records, a label of Sony Music Entertainment

[TheBang]

Odds of this one hitting Bandcamp?
Probably not going to happen. That's only for Null Corporation releases. It looks like MGM wanted to release this one themselves, through Milan Records (a Sony Music subsidiary).

If you want to buy the 24-bit, it's available on Qobuz and HDTracks (with Qobuz being the cheapest):
https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/challengers-mixed-by-boys-noize-trent-reznor-and-atticus-ross-boys-noize/ch37gwvytxbyb
https://www.hdtracks.com/#/album/660eeee7309c9223a6bcb92a

The 24-bit may show up later at 7Digital and Prostudiomasters, but those are usually more expensive than Qobuz. 16-bit and lossy versions are available for less money at the usual retailers also.

[cdm]

Opinions seem to be positive on this so that's good to know but I think I'll sit on this until after their score comes out. I don't want my opinion of the remixes (good or bad) to taint the score itself. Seems weird to put a remix cart before the original score horse...but I'm no big-brained movie / record executive.

[ghostaustin]

This is a fun listen! It's all very... moist....

[Zimbo]

Here's the link on Qobuz in Belgium: https://www.qobuz.com/be-fr/album/challengers-mixed-by-boys-noize-trent-reznor-and-atticus-ross-boys-noize/ch37gwvytxbyb . Available in 24-Bit/48 kHz. Total cost just below €20.

So this [MIXED] score on apple is licensing music from NULL and Sony but itself is a Sony release? I am so confused.


Regardless, this fucking rips and I really needed this.

EDIT: I need a remix with Yeah Yeah Yeah by LCD now.

[thefragile_jake]

Compress is bascially Purest Feeling in a sweaty discotheque. It's the most electro boogie thing Trent's ever had vocals over ... more in line with their Fashion cover than anything.

Outside of that, the run from Challengers to Brutalizer is exactly what I want the next NIN album to sound like.

[BJM]

https://pitchfork.com/news/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-and-boys-noize-connect-for-new-challengers-mixed-album-listen/


“It’s been a fun challenge to turn this into one fluid experience and take it even further by redesigning the tracks, creating new elements and changing certain parts—especially on ‘Compress / Repress,’ which turns super epic in the end,” Boys Noize said in a press statement. “Working with Trent and Atticus has been a dream come true; they’ve been so great and helpful during the entire process.”

Slightly worrying line from that article:


For now, the Nine Inch Nails musicians are not releasing their original score.

But I'm guessing we'll get the actual soundtrack in a couple of weeks...

[dominik]

Finally some NIN techno :D

[gorast]

https://pitchfork.com/news/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-and-boys-noize-connect-for-new-challengers-mixed-album-listen/



Slightly worrying line from that article:



But I'm guessing we'll get the actual soundtrack in a couple of weeks...

Mmmm...that feels like a weirdly definitive statement. It makes me wonder if this DJ mix is our commercial release, and that the original score isn't getting one. I guess we'll see in a couple weeks!

[ltrandazzo]

Um, I FUCKING LOVE THIS.

[firewlker]

Mmmm...that feels like a weirdly definitive statement. It makes me wonder if this DJ mix is our commercial release, and that the original score isn't getting one. I guess we'll see in a couple weeks!

Usually the OST comes at the same day at the movie release and I really doubt they only wrote 9 songs to the movie.

[cdm]

Usually the OST comes at the same day at the movie release and I really doubt they only wrote 9 songs to the movie.

There definitely is more. Going back to the clips uploaded and found through Instagram there is a track titled Match Point, which isn't part of the MIXED EP. The clips also have a cleaner album art...it looks like the EP has a stylized version of the score's art.

747

[jmtd]

Probably not going to happen. That's only for Null Corporation releases. It looks like MGM wanted to release this one themselves, through Milan Records (a Sony Music subsidiary).

Thank you, that’s enough for me to push the button on iTunes.

[gorast]

Usually the OST comes at the same day at the movie release and I really doubt they only wrote 9 songs to the movie.

Yeah, I know how this works...all I was saying was that we might not be getting a full commercial release, not that they only wrote 28 minutes of music. They write hours of music for every score that's then cut down for the film and cut down again for the album.

Either way, I'd forgotten that we've already seen cover art for the regular release, so this is just a misread of Pitchfork's intent with that line.

[imail724]

I've listened to every soundtrack they've released when they came out, but for the most part I don't really revisit them. This though, I want this on vinyl yesterday. Most fun soundtrack they've done BY FAR! Agree with others saying if this is the direction a new NIN album takes I'm all for it!

[Swykk]

I’m enjoying it so far. Of course “Compress/Regress” rules but “I Know” absolutely kicks ass too.

[Ruined]

Nice to hear the sexy Trent back. Excellent track; can't wait to hear the others.
Edit: Agree with the above; "I Know" is damn good too! Love the vibe of Prince's "Erotic City."

[azad_ninja]

I'm a little confused. Is this a remix album? Is there an another official soundtrack from just TR/AR coming as well?

[trollmanen]

I'm a little confused. Is this a remix album? Is there an another official soundtrack from just TR/AR coming as well?

It's a DJ mix of selected tracks from the score. The full score is presumed to be released the same day as the movie.

[henryeatscereal]

Loving it, so different from all other scores!

[cdm]

Overall positive review for both the movie and the score from Consequence. Hard to say for sure having not yet seen the movie but it does have some details and minor plot points that may or may not be spoilery so click at your own risk.

But it does contain this tidbit:


...“Compress / Repress,” is flat-out sick, delivering Nine Inch Nails vibes with lyrics by Guadagnino and vocals by Reznor.

https://consequence.net/2024/04/challengers-review-zendaya-luca-guadagnino/

[versusreality]

film seems to be a good one, and a shout out to the score being very good too:

https://youtu.be/WMUgjnNID_A?si=Hasc4-qtY_meWvCk

[trollmanen]

After listening through the whole thing in the car today, it's definitely more enjoyable to me than some of the more recent scores. I do wonder how much different this mix is from the stand alone score, but this is a fun listen that will get repeats for sure.

[TheBang]

I'm a little confused. Is this a remix album? Is there an another official soundtrack from just TR/AR coming as well?
Yes, and yes.


It's a DJ mix of selected tracks from the score.
To be clear, the tracks are remixed by Boys Noize as well. From the official announcement (https://www.nin.com/challengers-mixed-available-now/):

"CHALLENGERS [MIXED], TRENT REZNOR AND ATTICUS ROSS’ SCORE FOR LUCA GUADAGNINO’S NEW FILM, IS AVAILABLE NOW AS A CONTINUOUS SET REWORKED AND REMIXED BY PRODUCER AND DJ BOYS NOIZE."

https://pitchfork.com/news/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-and-boys-noize-connect-for-new-challengers-mixed-album-listen/
“It’s been a fun challenge to turn this into one fluid experience and take it even further by redesigning the tracks, creating new elements and changing certain parts—especially on ‘Compress / Repress,’ which turns super epic in the end,” Boys Noize said in a press statement.

[sweeterthan]

compress/repress: i knew those weren’t his lyrics! i was like whoa this doesn’t sound like reznor at all. i love his clean vocals and them synths. so fun. so glad to hear him singing. somebody do a britney “3” remix.

[nmitchell86]

Anyone know if this is getting the physical release treatment? Seeing a lot of press on this one.

[BRoswell]

Started listening to the mix, but stopped since I want to hear the score in its proper context first. What I did hear sounds awesome though!

[Zimbo]

I've listened to every soundtrack they've released when they came out, but for the most part I don't really revisit them. This though, I want this on vinyl yesterday. Most fun soundtrack they've done BY FAR! Agree with others saying if this is the direction a new NIN album takes I'm all for it!

I am the complete opposite of you. I mean, how can you not throw on The Vietnam War score when feeling pumped? Or TGWTDT when you're feeling moody? Or Watchmen, which at times is just NIN.

[caca]

I’ve been out of town and busy since Thursday, but I’m on my flight home now and just listened to this, and hot damn, I love it.

I’ve still got 2 hours left on this flight, so I’m going in for seconds…

[simonn]

The last twenty seconds of Compress/Repress. Heaven.

[thefragile_jake]

I've listened to every soundtrack they've released when they came out, but for the most part I don't really revisit them. This though, I want this on vinyl yesterday. Most fun soundtrack they've done BY FAR! Agree with others saying if this is the direction a new NIN album takes I'm all for it!

I'm with you. Outside of The Social Network and the TMNT score last year, I maybe give it two spins and don't revisit them much.

THIS however. I haven't been able to stop.

[versusreality]

I just can't help think of Trent teaching his kids how to count after hearing "Compress/Repress"

[cahernandez]

I'm with you. Outside of The Social Network and the TMNT score last year, I maybe give it two spins and don't revisit them much.

THIS however. I haven't been able to stop.

same feeling here, the last scores they’ve done feel a bit samey, and don’t have a lot of replay value. This score is top TR/AR for me, along with TSN, TGWTDT and Soul. I’ve listened to it 3 times since it came out. My only complain about this Challengers mix is that I wish it was 30 minutes longer, it’s too short.

[Ascender]

It's an absolute "banger" as the kids say. Really enjoying this and I love they've done something different releasing this remix version first.

It has got me really wanting to hear the original score now though!

[Zimbo]

The bass line in the song "Challengers" what NIN song is that from? I cannot figure it out for the life of me.

[simonn]

The bass line in the song "Challengers" what NIN song is that from? I cannot figure it out for the life of me.

Similarish to 'Nun with a MotherF*&*ing Gun' from Watchmen. Around the 1.25 mark.

[cdm]

https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/challengers-trent-reznor-atticus-ross-zendaya-luca-guadagnino-score-1235976130/

[versusreality]

https://youtu.be/ZQAPRM4Ot-Y?si=brg4Yv60eGlWVRhS

[TheBang]

https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/challengers-trent-reznor-atticus-ross-zendaya-luca-guadagnino-score-1235976130/
For those who were still wondering:

While the “Challengers” score will release in tandem with the film, a different version entitled “Challengers [Mixed]” hit streaming services on April 12, featuring a special mix of songs remixed by Boys Noize. A rendition “Compress / Repress,” which features Reznor’s vocals and was co-written with Guadagnino, was included on “[Mixed],” but viewers will have to wait until the end of the film to hear the original version.

[cahernandez]

Went to the see the movie last night, it was really good. The songs sound different than Challengers [Mixed] (obviously) but it's not a day and night difference. The songs are really well integrated to the movie, made me think of The Social Network, in the way that the soundtrack there was another character in the film, same thing here. Zendaya should be going for a Best Actress nom at the Oscars, she just kills it. Hoping our boys get a nomination for this one as well.

[cdm]

Officially official...

C6JoB3UOfv-

[howdidislipinto]

saw a screening on monday -- i can't believe TR/AR have been in the game for over a decade and it took this long for someone to say hey score this film of nothing but WALL TO WALL HORNINESS. both the film and score are everything we've been waiting for. (i'm assuming all NIN listeners are as horny as i am, don't correct me if i'm wrong.)

to my ears the score sounded even better than the [MIXED] version, but it was a dolby cinema and the sound mix was astounding so it could just be the bias of that experience. and btw -- find the theater with the best sound for this so you can feel TR/AR's wondrous expression of "unending homoerotic tension" in your booones.

gonna see it again this weekend. the wait till friday for the proper score has been agonizing. there were definitely a couple of pieces where i was wondering if it was score or source music, excited to find out.

edit: releasing the remix record first felt like a real '90s throwback move -- there's a chance i heard further down the spiral before the downward spiral way back in '95 or '96 just because someone lent me that CD first. or how my friends and i heard the muddy banks of the wishkah before in utero or nevermind. IT WAS A DIFFERENT TIME

[paul_guyet]

Went to the see the movie last night, it was really good. The songs sound different than Challengers [Mixed] (obviously) but it's not a day and night difference. The songs are really well integrated to the movie, made me think of The Social Network, in the way that the soundtrack there was another character in the film, same thing here. Zendaya should be going for a Best Actress nom at the Oscars, she just kills it. Hoping our boys get a nomination for this one as well.This may sound weird but...I feel like this score is too FUN to get an Oscar. Does that makes sense to anyone but me?

[gorast]

I can kind of see what you mean, that it could potentially not be seen as "weighty" enough to earn an Oscar win over what the academy might see as a more conventionally bombastic score. I think it would have a lot of merit in terms of musicality, but it could have an uphill climb given the genre. If Challengers gets big Oscar buzz, though, that would definitely help its case.

I know people are tired of hearing and talking about this, but I do wonder if a physical release is more likely here given that Sony (through Milan Records) is handling distribution of this soundtrack, as opposed to Trent and Atticus doing their own distribution like with the previous few scores. Here's hoping!

[allegate]

totally not related - until it is - but Sony did take over production of Disney physical releases due to their fabrication facilities so they at least have that feather in their cap.

The fab facilities, not Disney, to be clear.

[TheBang]

but Sony did take over production of Disney physical releases due to their fabrication facilities so they at least have that feather in their cap.
Just to clarify, that is only for home video releases, and so only relates to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a different company altogether.

But speaking of the companies, Milan Records does put out a lot of vinyl releases, so I think there's probably a better than average chance of this getting a vinyl release.

[hologram parade]

Milan Records responded to me directly and said they are working on both a CD, and Vinyl release!

[cdm]

Milan Records responded to me directly and said they are working on both a CD, and Vinyl release!

Transparency: It goes a long way!!

[paul_guyet]

Milan Records responded to me directly and said they are working on both a CD, and Vinyl release!What the fuck is a CD?

[Wulgaren]

What the fuck is a CD?

i hope you asked this WITH YOUR FUCKING PHONE TURNED OFF

[Elrickooo]

Just listened to the OST and I’ve got to say I prefer the boys noise mix for most of the songs. Especially Compress Repress.

[Wulgaren]

put on yeah just to check and i’m glad tr&ar version sounds much more concise than whatever boyz noise was doing

[BJM]

I think this is legit: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mYf--ksJH2pkkG9ja6RFHwjxGhc3GWoKU

[ecirb]

Hi-Res on Qobuz: https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/challengers-original-score-trent-reznor-atticus-ross/x4fjk1bjmlxgb?qref=bsk

[wizfan]

Final Set / Pull Over is quickly becoming one of my new favorite piano performances by Trent.

Also, I am officially in love with Compress/Repress.

[andreiuc88]

I have listened to both the MIXED soundtrack and the normal one and watched the film in cinema yesterday. I can honestly say that this is the best album they have done since Watchmen - and I really like those. It's energetic, fun, but still deep in the Reznor/NIN style that I love, and it even reminds me of PHM and YZ in certain places. Really good! And keep in mind that I'm not really a big fan of techno/house music. But this is kickass!

I don't know what Boys Noize has done, it seems that the songs on the non-MIXED version are split into pieces more so the MIXED version flows better. But that's kind of it. My initial thought was that all the techno stuff was added by Boys Noize, and I'm glad that this is not the case. I can't help but think that this german guy was not needed at all. His involvement seems much more minimal than I thought, but I do love some weird lyrics inserted into the MIXED version and maybe that's his doing, who knows.
Usually I like soundtrack albums that can be an experience on their own, without the film, this is why I hate the iphone alarm interrupting the song and stuff like this. The inclusion of the "New Year Carol" choir version feels weird to me (although a bit funny) and doesn't match the rest of the album. Other than this, the normal album is really solid too, but for now I think I like the MIXED version better! Awesome idea! I wonder if a definitive mix that gets songs from both versions will be available on Bandcamp. That would be cool.

The film is great too, although maybe it drags a bit in the first half, it's like a good play and I love how certain little details from the first part make a comeback in the second part. Good writing. No spoilers, but I love the time jumping and story and overall it's really good! The soundtrack fits really well, and this is interesting considering that it's not a subdued atmospheric soundtrack.

Really pleased with this soundtrack!

[Reznor2112]

had a big rant about the vinyl release but removed it and put it in the TR/AR score thread to not clog up this one...

[trollmanen]

So is Qobuz the best price on this for hi-res? Doesn't look like this one is going up on their Bandcamp page.

[TheBang]

So is Qobuz the best price on this for hi-res? Doesn't look like this one is going up on their Bandcamp page.
Yeah, the only places it's shown up are Qobuz and HDTracks, and Qobuz is the cheapest.

[BJM]

If you're on YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l2miOcGwVu-TaCYh8I97XcY8iuiI35ouk

[Leviathant]

Yeah, the only places it's shown up are Qobuz and HDTracks, and Qobuz is the cheapest.

If you're getting HDtracks marketing emails, there's usually a 25% off coupon code - perhaps 'April 25 New' but without spaces - which brings the HDtracks download to $15ish

[Tyson]

Man, it always irks me when they add in clips or audio from the movies, like the alarm notification on "Challengers" or the middle of the song cut to tennis court sounds on "I Know." When listening to an album it always annoys me when stuff like that breaks the flow of the music. I'd really like to enjoy the music on its own without being reminded in the middle of a song, "You're listening to a soundtrack to a tennis movie."

The Watchmen scores had a couple of instances of this, and, while I can clip off a segue at the end of a track or remove a fully dialogue track from a playlist digitally, you can't really do anything about it on vinyl. Even more offensive is when the dialogue or sound clip is laid ON TOP of the music.

At least, thus far (up to Brutalizer in my listen to the non-Mixed version), the sound clips are in places that will allow for easy removal.

[sonic_discord]

Final Set / Pull Over is quickly becoming one of my new favorite piano performances by Trent.

Also, I am officially in love with Compress/Repress.

I'm right there with ya. Final Set reminds me a bit of Pieces Form the Whole, which is one of my top 3 TR&AR tracks.

[Wulgaren]

still a bit disappointed they didn’t try their hand at house properly, all of this sounds very familiar to what they’ve done previously - it’s great but i guess i had expectations for something fresh

fm bass, supersaws, bouncy piano and whatnot…

[simonn]

Just seen the film, enjoyed it, and the music was perfection in it. I've never heard tennis sound so violent though, whenever Zendaya hit the ball it just sounded insanely hard. Great sport photography as well.

To anyone who's seen the film, can anyone remember what non Reznor pop song was playing while they were at an outside party when Zendaya's wearing the blue dress? Really popular hit from probably 20 years ago that I've not heard in years....

[Volk]

still a bit disappointed they didn’t try their hand at house properly, all of this sounds very familiar to what they’ve done previously - it’s great but i guess i had expectations for something fresh

fm bass, supersaws, bouncy piano and whatnot…

I think we're pretty much at that point with all their soundtracks now.

[BRoswell]

Just got back from seeing it in IMAX. It's a shame all tennis matches aren't as sweaty and sexually charged as the ones in this film. :D Trent and Atticus' score was excellent of course. Definitely going to be blasting it for a while.


To anyone who's seen the film, can anyone remember what non Reznor pop song was playing while they were at an outside party when Zendaya's wearing the blue dress? Really popular hit from probably 20 years ago that I've not heard in years....

"Hot In Herre" by Nelly. Also noticed "Time Will Crawl" by Bowie. Seemed like an odd choice for that scene, but it kind of worked.

[simonn]

Just got back from seeing it in IMAX. It's a shame all tennis matches aren't as sweaty and sexually charged as the ones in this film. :D Trent and Atticus' score was excellent of course. Definitely going to be blasting it for a while.



"Hot In Herre" by Nelly. Also noticed "Time Will Crawl" by Bowie. Seemed like an odd choice for that scene, but it kind of worked.

That was it (Nelly), thanks. I didn't know the Bowie song tbh, but thought it was him, and wondered whether Trent had a hand in that selection.

[jmtd]

The convo seems to suggest there’s a vinyl coming but I’ve seen nothing about that. Confirmed?

[otnavuskire]

The convo seems to suggest there’s a vinyl coming but I’ve seen nothing about that. Confirmed?

Milan Records replied to someone on twitter saying they're working on both CD and vinyl.

[shagg_187]

I really appreciate the dual release (Original Score, and Mixed), both are awesome on their own merit. That said, I have to commend Boys Noize for really elevating the already awesome score. He added just the right elements to truly compliment the score.


I hope future OSTs by TR/AR are also released in similar fashion.

[Zimbo]

Similarish to 'Nun with a MotherF*&*ing Gun' from Watchmen. Around the 1.25 mark.

Thank you!!! I couldn’t place it.

this score is fucking sublime. Better than the [MIXED] version by several orders of magnitude

[magnolia]

Saw the movie this weekend. I liked it okay. 7/10, maybe 8/10, depending. But the music was perfect.
I've played tennis since I was little (like, 3 or 4 years old), and I still play about 5 days a week. I thought this was an interesting take on the mental side of playing, not even just about the love triangle aspect. I've always been told tennis is 40% physical, 60% mental. If you don't have the mental stamina, you can't be a great player, period.
Anyway, thought it was good overall, but not great. Didn't love the ending. Main thing it made me feel was I wanted to leave the theatre immediately and go hit!

I love both the MIXED version and OST -- both fantastic. Maybe my favorite work TR/AR have done? Right up there in my top 3, at least.

I was playing the MIXED version while I hit today. :)

[scorpiusdiamond]

This article/interview with Boys Noize is great (thanks NIN Hotline) (https://www.thewrap.com/challengers-mixed-album-boys-noize-explained/)

Interesting that they refer to Compress/Repress as a NIN song, despite the fact its lyrics aren’t written by Trent.

I’m in the camp of preferring the MIXED version, as it seems more on the vein of the genre and is a more cohesive record (for obvious reasons, ofc)

[gorast]

Outside of our sphere it may as well be a NIN song - Trent and Atticus composed it, Trent sings on it, even if he didn't write the lyrics.

I need to give the proper soundtrack a few more listens before I can make a call for myself on which version I prefer - the continuous nature of the mixed version is very, very nice, and Boys Noize did a great job on it, plus I'd already kind of gotten used to those versions before the full thing came out.

[Leviathant]

This article/interview with Boys Noize is great (thanks NIN Hotline) (https://www.thewrap.com/challengers-mixed-album-boys-noize-explained/)

I thought this was adorable:


One of the tracks Ridha heavily reworked was “Compress/Repress,” [...] “This was the best piece of music – who would think that Nine Inch Nails would go gabber?”

Is this about the distorted electronic drums he added? Hello, operator? Connect me with Boys Noize. Yes, it's me, The NIN Hotline, and I need to melt his brain with The Great Destroyer.

[Wulgaren]

did they ever hear gabber lol what

[allegate]

I thought this was adorable:



Is this about the distorted electronic drums he added? Hello, operator? Connect me with Boys Noize. Yes, it's me, The NIN Hotline, and I need to melt his brain with The Great Destroyer.
did you just give me a name to search for more music like that breakdown? amazing, I can't wait to explore more.

[Something Underneath]

Heard the score and watched the film for the first time now and this might be the first time I got underwhelmed by their score. I guess that serves me right for reading NIN community raving about this score for weeks like T&A reinvented the wheel. No offense but it's rather basic to people who have ANY experience with electronic music before this lol. Shit if anything something like TSN or Watchmen or even Girl With Dragon Tattoo etc were FAR more interesting about their electronic percussion and rhythms/melodies/beats/anything really.

It doesn't help the film was also at times just fucking cringe from a direction standpoint as Luca thinks he's being soooo clever with his tennis=relationships metaphor so the score which at the beggining of the film is reserved for matches only starts getting played on seemingly every single conversation by the end of the film. Just becomes exhausting,predictable and rote. Less is more,but he even directs a half-comedy like he's Zack Snyder,thinking he's making epic cinema.

[Leviathant]

No offense but it's rather basic to people who have ANY experience with electronic music before this lol. Shit if anything something like TSN or Watchmen or even Girl With Dragon Tattoo etc were FAR more interesting about their electronic percussion and rhythms/melodies/beats/anything really.

A long time ago, I drummed for a punk band in central PA. It was my first time drumming, mercifully the music we played was pretty basic. Lots of originals, with covers of Misfits, Ramones, Dead Milkmen thrown into the sets. It's rather basic to people who have ANY experience with rock music lol. I switched to bass, and we got a drummer who fucking loved playing polyrhythmic shit like Tool. And hey, I like listening to that stuff. Always enjoyed Dillinger Escape Plan, and put a lot of hours into listening to some Plaid tracks that I still sometimes get lost in.

Dude would *struggle* to play a straight four on the floor beat. Kept wanting to decorate with flourishes.

My point is... I don't know man, I've been listening to electronic music since I was a toddler listening to Talking Heads. In the 90s, I thought four on the floor techno was super boring, and then I heard Da Funk on MTV's Amp. Also really basic, but undeniably excellent. I begrudgingly realized my bias against electronic dance music was silly.

Well before the soundtrack was available, Trent was talking about how the director wanted the whole score to basically be house music. House music is not exactly a hotbed of innovation. I don't think anyone's out here saying TR&AR reinvented the wheel. It's okay that it's not your thing, but maybe you were a victim of your own hype?

Personally, on my first listen through, I thought it was okay. I waited until the proper score came out, bought that, and then decided I'd buy the Mixed version, and now I can't stop playing the Mixed version. Again, it's not innovative, it's not complicated... but with repeated listens, it does that thing that Trent's music often does, revealing layers of interesting textures that didn't register for me on the first few listens.

Sometimes 30 minutes of dance beats is what the doctor ordered. I think this is a nice addition to that pile, and it's already getting a lot more play than other soundtracks of theirs, for me. As it should! Soundtracks are underscores for film, and not necessarily meant for heavy rotation.

Good thing you've got all that other stuff to listen to that's more your speed.

[sweeterthan]

a whole sketch inspired by the soundtrack on tonight’s episode of saturday night live. i lol’d.

[snaapz]

I just wanted to share how much I'm enjoying the new OST! The 'Challengers' track is a standout for me—it feels like a throwback to 'Gave Up - Remixed' from the Fixed EP with its sliced-up vocals. It's such a cool vibe and brings back some great memories.

There are so many other tracks that I've been enjoying as well. My kids are also loving it, especially 'Yeah X10.' They can't get enough of it and keep asking to play it and also Challengers.

I hope to hear some more stuff like this in the near future.

I was thinking how it's a shame that I don't own this on CD, the 90's were the fucking best.

[M1ke]

I liked the score, it's great music to work to with.

That said, I didn't really like the movie itself though. I just didn't really find any of the charecters particularly relatable.

[nmitchell86]

It's been reported on the FB Collecting and Trading group that this will release physically on 07JUN... CD maybe vinyl? Unconfirmed from official channels... but here is something... https://echosrecordbar.co.za/product/599618-trent-reznor-atticus-ross-challengers-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-cd?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1sSaHOBzTkqqAi9hzDXf ioYQCLBnii8gL94Ms0FtVxLfIMMQHMxNTFw4o_aem_AVggD_uP 3v3k_IXLMa2AZladSxESWc7gVTp6_atOxeaI3zcIfy9-Iz32M9V_sMklVVK7MzM7X-9e0AaxpWRhDmXo

[botley]

Not likely to be out in a week without any advance notice; but searching for the same catalogue number on Google returned this similar-looking EU retail listing; claims it's releasing on 7th July (which is a Sunday, so not likely either): https://przeto.pl/pl/challengers-original-score

[Calx1111]

It's listed with a July 12th release, which is a Friday.

[Exploding Plastic]

Compress/Repress is the best NIN-related song in I don't know how many years...

[botley]

It's listed with a July 12th release, which is a Friday.

Oops, so it does! You're quite right, my mistake. Hopefully that holds true, and a vinyl release isn't far behind it!

[Bear78]

Apparently Hideo Kojima pre-ordered the CD somewhere...

https://x.com/HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN/status/1798712126477123935

[explodey]

It looks like the CD is available on 24 July in Japan based on this Sony Music Shop listing (https://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/item/itemShw.php?site=S&ima=0317&dS2SPH=1&cd=SICP000031727)

[paul_guyet]

Apparently Hideo Kojima pre-ordered the CD somewhere...

https://x.com/HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN/status/1798712126477123935Kojima is a time traveller, nothing he does can be imitated by humans.

[BRoswell]

30 best albums of 2024 (so far) (avclub.com) (https://www.avclub.com/30-best-albums-of-2024-so-far-1851524492/slides/6)


The Challengers soundtrack isn’t just one of the best film albums of the year—it’s one of the best albums of the year, period. If you loved the sultry, pounding electronic beats of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ perfect score in the theater, here’s a pro tip from us: they serve just as hard in the real world. Whether you’re doing spreadsheets at work or deep in a decades-long love triangle out on the court, the Challengers soundtrack will undoubtedly have you saying “yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah.” Here’s another tip: if you want to avoid the Dreaded iPhone Alarm at the end of the first track, queue up Challengers [MIXED] instead of the OG soundtrack. It’s a completely distraction-free ace.

[spahn]

Our friends over at Pitchfork posted a, what seems like a very positive review, but scored it a 7.2 for whatever reason.

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-challengers-original-score/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=null


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