T2 Trainspotting is the sequel to the infamous 1996 movie Trainspotting that no one was expecting but everyone is excited about.
The movie was based on the book written by Scottish author Irvine Welsh that was originally published in 1993. The story followed the fascinating and charming Mark Renton, a heroin addict living in a blissful ignorance where most of his time is spent pursuing anarchic adventures to support his lifestyle.
The film became emblematic of the grunge movement and the heroin epidemic of the 1990s. The original movie was nominated for an Oscar for the best screenplay while the soundtrack has become widely accepted as one of the best movie soundtracks of all time.
The original soundtrack was released twice. The first release in 1996 featured the songs that were included in the movie. The second release, a year later, was prompted by an enthusiastic fan base and included a second disc that featured songs that were considered, but didn’t quite make it into the film itself.
The success of the original soundtrack can be attributed to its dexterous ability to emulate the nuanced attitudes of the alternative subculture and time it portrayed. The soundtrack to T2 Trainspotting features an amalgam of new music, as well as some of the more signifying tracks from the original soundtrack.
The soundtrack maintains a sense of action that is reminiscent of the original, a personal call of vitalisation to you. The contemporary songs that are included modernize the soundtrack. The indie rock sounds and rap tracks adapt the album to engage with the contextual culture in which the film is now set.
The new soundtrack has noticeably less influence from EDM styles of music, however, we suspect this would be due to the characters now being older and spending less time amongst the underground rave scene.
Here is FIB’s breakdown of our favourite 5 songs from the new soundtrack.
Lust For Life (The Prodigy Remix) – Iggy Pop
Get yourself busted up, converse high tops on kids – we’re going for a trip down memory lane. The paramount track from the original movie encompasses the tone we expect from the Trainspotting series. The quick pace and lyrics are enlivening, you want to do more, dance more, run more, do anything you felt like you couldn’t before. We reportedly don’t get to hear much of the song for most of the new movie itself until you get it in full at the end, so don’t be disheartened too early on.
Shotgun Mouthwash – High Contrast
This punchy song is the definitive track on the album that spells the destructive and impertinent attitude of the gang. Add this to your “Walking Like A Baddass” playlist (we know you’ve got one).
Only God Knows (feat. Leith Congregational Choir) – Young Fathers
The Scottish trio Young Fathers had three songs attributed to them on the soundtrack. Director, Danny Boyle, described them as “the heartbeat of the film,” and the most infectious of the three is undoubtedly “Only God Knows”. The song eases you in, with the building, tenacious drums gradually enveloping you in the vigour of the song. The inclusion of the Leith Congregational Choir brings a sense of community to the otherwise often anxious energy of the soundtrack.
(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais – The Clash
This song is a throwback that reinforces the attitudes of alternative culture that has remained relevant since the original release of this song in 1977. The songs upbeat guitar rhythm makes it fun and easy to move to while the lyrics reflect an awareness of a turbulent socio-political period, however, making a conscious choice to move beyond negative attitudes to live happy and carefree.
Whitest Boy On The Beach – Fat White Family
“Whitest Boy On The Beach” by Fat White Family is a dissident, dreamy addition to the overall heavier soundtrack. The wispy female vocals deceivingly portray a light-hearted song. The addition of the swelling male chorus, a closer analysis of the lyrics and the thumping synth-line remind you that this may not be the phantasmic reverie you thought it was.
Here is the full tracklist for the T2 Trainspotting soundtrack:
- Lust for Life (The Prodigy Remix) – Iggy Pop
- Shotgun Mouthwash High Contrast
- Silk – Wolf Alice
- Get Up – Young Fathers
- Relax – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
- Eventually But (Spud’s Letter To Gail) – Underworld, Ewen Bremner
- Only God Knows (feat. Leith Congregational Choir) – Young Fathers
- Dad’s Best Friend – The Rubberbandits
- Dreaming – Blondie
- Radio Ga Ga – Queen
- It’s Like That (Run DMC Vs. Jason Nevins) – Run-D.M.C., Jason Nevins
- (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais – The Clash
- Rain or Shine – Young Fathers
- Whitest Boy On The Beach – Fat White Family
- Slow Slippy – Underworld
You can purchase the soundtrack through iTunes or listen on Spotify.
The film is set to be released in Australian cinemas on 27th February.
