Black Mirror: Smithereens (Music from the Original TV Series) Ryuichi Sakamoto

• 1 meditation app 05:03
• 2 plot 01:08
• 3 this is my last day 01:09
• 4 hayley 01:29
• 5 prey 02:27
• 6 chain smoking addict 01:03
• 7 chase 02:50
• 8 reverse surface 01:35
• 9 closing in 01:38
• 10 countdown 00:57
• 11 retreat 00:30
• 12 flashback 01:05
• 13 gun is real 00:43
• 14 shot 02:09
• 15 degrade 00:55
• 16 car crash 02:59
• 17 this is my last day 2 02:36
• 18 memory of a single moment 01:31
• 19 release 02:17
• Total Runtime 34:04

Info for Black Mirror: Smithereens (Music from the Original TV Series)

Ryuichi Sakamoto has composed a haunting new score for the upcoming season of cult sci-fi television show Black Mirror.

Charlie Brooker’s science fiction-tinged show plays around with stories of technology gone wrong; dystopian futures and disturbing parables that always seem to be uncomfortably close to contemporary culture. Now on its fifth season, the new series will air on Netflix on 5th June.

Ryuichi Sakamoto established an impressive musical career during the 1970s, particularly as part of pioneering technopop outfit Yellow Magic Orchestra (an outfit that recently marked their 40th Anniversary). But from those roots he went on to cultivate another legacy through his film soundtrack work, scoring the likes of David Bowie vehicle Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence in 1983, The Last Emperor in 1987, up to the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring tale of bleak wilderness life The Revenant in 2015.

Between his soundtrack work, Sakamoto also continued to record and release his own music, which included 1999’s piano album BTTB and 2017’s async. There’s a notable sense of mood and reflection on much of his later work with more than a nod to a more ambient sense of composition – something which is evident on his recent contribution to Black Mirror.

‘This Is My Last Day 2’ has an airy quality in its piano-led tones. There’s hints of Brian Eno or Harold Budd lurking in its depths, which feature subtle electronic elements. As a track, it’s an icy reverie that invites contemplation and seems on-theme for Black Mirror’s often bleak narratives.

The track features as part of ‘Smithereens’, an episode that features Andrew Scott (Sherlock, Spectre, Fleabag), Topher Grace (Blackkklansman) and Damson Idris (The Twilight Zone). The episode explores the dangers of app addiction and focuses on a cab driver with an agenda, who becomes the centre of attention on a day that rapidly spirals out of control.

lack Mirror’s use of music has become one of the series’ most captivating elements. For its 2018 feature outing Bandersnatch, it made heavy use of classic electronic music releases which included Tangerine Dream and Isao Tomita among others (see our sister site Wavegirl for an in-depth exploration of Bandersnatch’s musical legacy).

The complete ‘Smithereens’ soundtrack will include 19 tracks in total and is due for release via Milan Music, an independent label that has worked with Ryuichi Sakamoto previously, as well as the likes of Cliff Martine, Hildur Gudnadottir and also Kyle Dixon & Micheal Stein (Stranger Things) among others.

Ryuichi Sakamoto
Born in 1952 in Nakano (Tokyo), Ryuichi Sakamoto has been active in the entertainment industry since his graduation from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.

He achieved western fame as a member of electronic pioneer trio Yellow Magic Orchestra from 1978 until the mid 80s. By then he started writing music alone, or contributing with artists, most notably David Sylvian.

His exploits include an Academy Award for his score to the 1987 Bernardo Bertolucci film The Last Emperor, the soundscape for the opening ceremony of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and was even hired by the Finnish mobile phone company Nokia to compose ring tones for the Nokia 8800. He is maybe the most influential Japanese musician in electronica. In addition to making music, he has also acted in movies, most notably in "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" co-starring David Bowie, for which Ryuichi also composed perhaps his most memorable film soundtrack.

Trivia - he acts as a director in Madonna's "Rain" video. He also modeled for "The Gap" among other products.

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