Zinedine Zidane is an enigmatic man. Mogwai are an enigmatic band. Who else could soundtrack a movie glued to the footballing legend's on-pitch talent?
Mogwai's last album Mr Beast got a lukewarm reception for being good, but not particularly challenging - and Mogwai fans love to be challenged!
Whilst the subdued, brooding drone associated with the Glaswegian post-rockers remains, Zidane... does mark something of a return to more interesting form.
Opener Black Spider is a warm, if typically melancholy welcome to the soundtrack, whilst Terrific Speech 2 creates a gripping sense of isolation.
The rest continue with a familiar pattern of friendly, fuzzy melodies - like 7.25 - punctuating a more disturbing sonic landscape - typified by Half Time and the unnamed 20 minute epic that's secreted at the end after the Black Spider 2.
Zidane - A 21st Century Portrait is a haunting, engrossing soundtrack, but perhaps as standalone listen, it lacks just a little of the spikiness that once made Mogwai soar.
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