Lorde and Chemical Brothers’ Hunger Games Collaboration falls short of expectationsHungergames

Lorde and Chemical Brothers’ Hunger Games Collaboration falls short of expectations

It seems that lately everybody in popular music is jumping into the movie-scoring business. Among the fold is the pioneering electronic music outfit Chemical Brothers, who just wrapped up a collaboration with Australian songstress Lorde on a track for the soundtrack to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.

Titled “This is Not a Game,” it is the second track that has been released from the soundtrack this year. Zane Lowe (who coincidentally just finished heading a movie rescoring project for 2011’s Drive) premiered the track on BBC Radio 1. Surprisingly, Lorde plays a minimal role throughout the dark and synth-driven ballad. The vocals come from hip hop and rap artist Miguel, and feature such deep and thought-provoking lines as “Word to Gucci, that’s my hitta” and “I’m talking turn up.”

As much as we love Chemical Brothers, the tune doesn’t do the British duo justice. Honestly, we had a difficult time connecting anything about the song to the Hunger Games brand or storyline. Maybe it’s Miguel’s shrill and whiny caterwauling (a-la Phuture) that ruins what might otherwise have been a mediocre track. But then again, it’s Chemical Brothers – the concept of mediocrity shouldn’t even make it into the conversation.

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