Today, we got to speak with super stylish saxophone wizard Colin Stetson. He’s made a name for himself with vast soundscapes and unnerving compositions in films like Color Out of Space, The Menu and Hereditary. He’s also got a new one coming next month from Hulu called Hold Your Breath where he similarly works his unsettling magic in an intimate, small-scale picture. But the topic du jour is the palette he crafted for the unbearably beautiful yet grotesque adaptation of the Japanese manga Uzumaki. Here are some notes from the official Milan Records press release about the show and the soundtrack.
A captivating masterclass in psychological horror and obsession, Uzumaki centers on residents of a Japanese town as they become increasingly consumed by a strange curse involving spirals. As the story progresses, the spirals continue to wreak havoc on the town both physically and mentally, culminating in a dread-filled exploration of the unknown and the power of obsession. Much like the story itself, the spiral was the starting point for composer Colin Stetson as he approached the score, looking at the various ways a spiral could be translated through a musical lens.
Almost kismet in nature, an obvious initial parallel for Colin was his performance style itself, namely the circular breathing technique he has become synonymous with since the start of his career. On full display throughout the score’s 13 tracks, his singular technique manifests itself in loping, serpentine saxophone melodies, his sustained notes repeating and looping to create a hypnotic soundbed that draws viewers further into the onscreen story.
Stetson expertly intertwines distorted layers of woodwinds and strings throughout (with strings performed by frequent collaborator Matt Combs), the cyclic nature of the score turning in on itself and subverting past cues as it progresses to mirror the town’s descent into madness and chaos. The result is a mesmerizing original score that deeply parallels the thematics of the series – from his technique to the instrumentation and sonic progression – the music provides a constant companion to the horrors unfolding onscreen.
Have a listen to Colin’s thoughts on this episode of The GoSeeTalk Podcast Experience, and catch this crazy show on Saturday, September 28 at 12:30 AM during the Toonami block of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. Just be sure to leave the lights on.
For more info about Colin, head to his official website, follow him on Instagram or check out some of his music on Bandcamp including the new album he released on Sept 13.
