We're spending the last couple days of 2021 by taking a look back at some of our creative directors' personal favorite releases of the year.
Read on to find out if any of your picks, or latest additions to your collection, made the list!
Mo Shafeek, Creative Director (Music):
1. In The Mood For Love - A true holy grail. One of the few titles I've always wanted to work on. I never dreamed, in a million years, that we'd be able to do it but, somehow, it turned out even better than I could have ever imagined.
2. Say Anything - What feels like a million years ago, Cameron Crowe and his team at The Uncool reached out about doing a collaboration with Mondo. I perked up instantly, and, while it took a few years to manifest, this was the beginning of an epic relationship and I'm super proud of how this first title turned out. (Wait 'til you see and hear Singles and Jerry Maguire!)
3. Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar - My favorite movie of 2021 (not a joke), and the perfect example of how a silly idea can manifest into something truly brilliant. Of course, I mean the film itself, as well as our idea to do the soundtrack like a Betty & Veronica comic. It also somehow turned into a record release party with Richard Cheese, a cast reunion, and the first (and only) screenings of the film in cinemas.
4. Wonder Woman 1984 - My favorite soundtrack of 2020. I know many people don't like this film, but, even if you don't, I hope you afford yourself the opportunity to revisit the score. It's an absolute triumph, and one of my favorite superhero soundtracks since Elfman's Batman and Williams' Superman.
5. The Shining - It feels like every year since we've been a label, Spencer and I would ask our friends at Warner Bros. about releasing The Shining. And every year we would be told that it just simply wasn't possible. And then we asked again in 2019 and suddenly the answer changed - slightly.
While we wouldn't be able to put out the original album configuration, we would be able to release the main themes. Couple that with our relationship to the Kubrick estate that we've been working with, it was a beautiful marriage of timing. A true holy grail, and we are so proud of how it came out.
Spencer Hickman, Creative Director (Music):
While we wouldn't be able to put out the original album configuration, we would be able to release the main themes. Couple that with our relationship to the Kubrick estate that we've been working with, it was a beautiful marriage of timing. A true holy grail, and we are so proud of how it came out.
Spencer Hickman, Creative Director (Music):
These are in no order at all ... just records we have released this year that I dig. (And, apologies for the sloppy reviews, but, as usual, I was late with mine and had to do ‘em last minute.)
1. The Return of Godzilla - As a lifelong fan of TOHO and Godzilla, this year ... dreams really did come true! Henry Abrams knocked it out the park with the artwork and DMS battled to get the pop-up just right. I am incredibly proud that we got to release this and, man, do we have some wonderful TOHO releases to come in 2022.
1. The Return of Godzilla - As a lifelong fan of TOHO and Godzilla, this year ... dreams really did come true! Henry Abrams knocked it out the park with the artwork and DMS battled to get the pop-up just right. I am incredibly proud that we got to release this and, man, do we have some wonderful TOHO releases to come in 2022.
2. The Dune Sketchbook - One of the films of the year for me. I had a real rollercoaster with this one, as I wanted the film to be perfect ... and, in my eyes, it was. Hans Zimmer’s score is just crazy huge and needs to be listened to loudly, Greg Ruth went above and beyond in the art department, and the whole thing came together beautifully (and quickly). Hans and Denis Villenvue sent us a note saying that the artwork was perfect ... and you can’t say fairer than that!
Don’t worry if you missed out, because a repress is coming in January (and we may have another DUNE soundtrack coming, too).
3. Last Night in Soho - Take your pick, either of these releases (Score or Soundtrack) are incredible. This was the first movie I saw outside of my home in 14 months, in Cutting Edge’s screening room in London. Myself and Edgar talked after, for a while, about mimicking old 60’s LP covers ... and I said we should release a 7" of Anya’s songs. And you know what? All of that happened. Mo's art direction on the soundtrack is amazing and every single person in Edgar’s team was amazing and a joy to work with. I loved working with Backlot, too; they are the best.
4. Titane - We had to do this! RAW is one of my favorites of the last decade and, in my eyes, Julia is the real deal. Jim WIlliams' score is incredible. Milan and NEON also rule and we couldn’t have done this without them. When we were submitting artwork, Julia knew exactly what she wanted, which is both incredibly refreshing and freeing. Candice Tripp is one of my favorite people and artists, so there was no one I could think of, besides them, that could do this film justice.
5. Full Metal Jacket - Another (genius) Alan Hynes joint for the design, with truly wonderful artwork. It was a pure joy working with Jan at the Kubrick Estate, as well as Pat Thomas producing, and this incredible version of one of my favorite records turned out perfectly.
5. Full Metal Jacket - Another (genius) Alan Hynes joint for the design, with truly wonderful artwork. It was a pure joy working with Jan at the Kubrick Estate, as well as Pat Thomas producing, and this incredible version of one of my favorite records turned out perfectly.
