Settling the Score: a Movie Score Podcast

Arrival | Jóhann Jóhannsson 10.06.2026 41min

In preparation for Disclosure Day the bros have been contacted by the US Army to decode the anomoly that is Jóhann Jóhannsson's epic score for the 2016 phenemenon Arrival. Ev's score: 9.1 / Al's score: 8.8 / Ky's score: 9.0Musical term: MultiphonicInstrumental Instrument: VocoderIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram

Project Hail Mary | Daniel Pemberton 27.04.2026 25min

Episode new! Amaze, amaze, amaze!

Train Dreams | Bryce Dessner 16.03.2026 20min

The world needs a hermit in the woods as much as a settler on the microphone. The bros take a trip out west to delve into Bryce Dessner’s ethereal score for Train Dreams.

Marty Supreme | Daniel Lopatin 26.02.2026 41min

Settlers have a purpose. If you think that's some kind of blessing, it's not. It puts us Settlers at a huge life disadvantage. It means we have an obligation to breakdown Daniel Lopatin and Josh Safdie's Oscars Supreme.Ev's score: 8.9 / Al's score: 8.7 / Ky's score: 9.1Musical term: PolytonalityInstrumental Instrument: Prepared pianoIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram

This is Spinal Tap | Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner 29.01.2026 20min

This one scores out of 11. RIP Rob, thank you for all you gave us.Ev's score: 10.3/11 / Al's score: 9.3/11 / Ky's score: 9.6/11Musical term: Mixolydian modeInstrumental Instrument: Bass guitarIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram.00:00 Introduction and Settler Updates00:16 Baby Settler and Calming Scores01:07 Feature Presentation: Spinal Tap02:45 The Genius of Spinal Tap's Satire04:04 Improvisation and Comedy in Spinal Tap05:27 Musical Authenticity and Commitment to the Bit06:01 Favorite Moments and Characters06:59 Musical Techniques and Cultural Impact15:09 Scoring the Movie20:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Frankenstein | Alexandre Desplat 31.12.2025 41min

Some of what we will tell you is fact. Some is not, but it is all true. The bros have created a monster with this one...Ev's score: 8.7 / Al's score: 9 / Ky's score: 8.9Musical term: Adagio Instrumental Instrument: Silver violinIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram.00:00 Introduction and Setup00:18 Hollywood Drama and Streaming Debate01:20 Theater Experience vs. Streaming02:41 Guillermo del Toro's Vision05:36 Gripes and Critiques11:16 Composer and Score Discussion17:54 Meta Narrative and Themes22:25 Analyzing the Leitmotif23:34 The Role of the Violin24:10 Character Dynamics and Symbolism27:14 Casting and Performances30:02 Musical Themes and Score Critique34:39 Final Thoughts and Ratings39:56 Closing Remarks and Future Content

IT | Benjamin Wallfisch 31.10.2025 40min

We all float down here settlers. That's right check behind you for balloons because we're headed into the storm drain for this one. The bros get in the spooky spirit with a trip to Derry to discuss the highest grossing horror film of all time.Ev's score: 8.3 / Al's score: 8.5 / Ky's score: 8.5Musical term: PolytonalityInstrumental Instrument: ChoirIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram

The Princess Bride | Mark Knopfler 03.09.2025 32min

Wait, Grandpa, you’re telling me that the composer for The Princess Bride is also a four time Grammy award winning classic rock legend?! Inconceivable!Ev's score: 9.4 / Al's score: 9.4 / Ky's score: 9.4Musical term: Borrowed chordInstrumental Instrument: SynclavierIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram.Introduction and Childhood MemoriesPersonal Connection and Production HistoryComedy and Storytelling StyleCharacter Development and Hero's JourneyCast and CharactersMark Knopfler and the ScoreMusical Analysis and Score RatingClosing Thoughts and Wrap-up

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Michael Giacchino 08.08.2025 43min

A mother would move heaven and earth for her settlers, and as the bros broach father / uncle-hood they'll do just that. We herald the return of Michael Giacchino with a score worthy Marvel's first family. Ev's score: 8.7 / Al's score: 8.9 / Ky's score: 9Musical term: StaccatoInstrumental Instrument: ChoirIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram

F1 | Hans Zimmer 21.07.2025 36min

It's lights out and the STS car is attacking in the turns on this one as we break down how Joseph Kosinski's formula for summer blockbusters just delivered another podium finish.Ev's score: 8.1 / Al's score: 8.3 / Ky's score: 8.4Musical term: OstinatoInstrumental Instrument: Electric guitarIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram

Jurassic Park | John Williams 27.06.2025 40min

I'm simply saying that settling finds a way...Jurassic Park is back and we've resurrected a dinosaur of a score from the past. This awe inspiring work from the Tyrannosaurus himself, John Williams, has broken containment and is on the loose.Ev's score: 9.1 / Al's score: 9.2 / Ky's score: 9.3Musical term: Suspended chordInstrumental Instrument: French hornIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram

28 Days Later | John Murphy 25.05.2025 29min

With '28 Years Later' on the horizon, the boys revisit Danny Boyle's sleeper hit that reinvigorated the zombie genre. They discuss the film's production and budget challenges, the value of silence in creating tension, and how Murphy's minimalist, mood-driven approach changed horror scoring forever.Ev's score: 8.6 / Al's score: 8.1 / Ky's score: 8.2Musical term: Post-rockInstrumental Instrument: Electric guitarIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram.00:00 Introduction and 28 Days Later Hype00:32 Cast and Production Insights01:46 Filming Techniques and Challenges04:10 Inspiration and Story Origins05:15 Alternate Endings and Financial Success09:41 Score and Soundtrack Analysis21:04 Legacy and Cultural Impact26:59 Final Thoughts and Future Projects

Sinners | Ludwig Göransson 28.04.2025 55min

Every settler has a past, and every sinner has a future. Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Göransson have delivered what's sure to be one of the films of the year if not the decade, and we've got until sunrise to discuss it.Ev's score: 9.8 / Al's score: 9.7 / Ky's score: 9.3Musical term: Call and response (music)Instrumental Instrument: Dobro 1932 CyclopseIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram00:00:00 The Boys Are Back (And Kai's Got a Sword)00:01:38 A Score That Demands to Be Settled00:03:48 Box Office Heat & Cinema Score History00:06:00 Ryan Coogler: Name Brand Director Status00:10:12 Enter the Juke Joint: Premise & Setup00:18:45 Ludwig Göransson Did Not Come to Play00:28:30 The Devil Went Down to Mississippi00:36:22 Music as Weapon, Soul as Stake00:46:00 Vampires, Culture Wars & Who Gets Invited In00:50:00 Final Scores: Settling Sinners

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King with Dr. Stanley Miller | Howard Shore 27.03.2025 43min

Gondor calls for aid...and the Settlers shall answer. We’re making our long-awaited return to Middle Earth to once and for all vanquish the One Ring. Carried to the summit of Mount Doom by Tolkien enthusiast Dr. Stanley Miller, we dissect what made Howard Shore’s epic conclusion to the LotR trilogy a true masterpiece.Ev's score: 10 / Al's score: 9.9 / Ky's score: 9.9 / Stan's score: 9.9Musical term: DissonanceInstrumental Instrument: ShakuhachiIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram.00:00 Introduction to the Journey00:58 Welcoming Dr. Stanley Miller01:04 Partying in Hobbiton and Baltimore02:23 A Trip to Hobbiton04:10 Stan's Passion for Tolkien04:26 The Power of Storytelling06:49 Howard Shore's Musical Genius11:05 The Shire Theme Evolution13:04 Emotional Impact of the Music26:01 Lighting of the Beacons30:57 Final Reflections and Scores36:05 Conclusion and Fun Facts

The Brutalist | Daniel Blumberg 07.03.2025 30min

Hot off its Oscar win, the boys discuss the structures, techniques, and collaborations culminating in 2024’s Best Original Score.Ev's score: 9.5 / Al's score: 9.3 / Ky's score: 9.3Musical term: Tone ClusterInstrumental Instrument: Prepared pianoIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram.00:00 Post-Academy Awards Recap00:22 Unexpected Wins and Highlights00:44 The Brutalist: A Deep Dive01:35 Emotional Connections and Personal Stories02:17 Composer Spotlight: Daniel Bloomberg02:53 Filmmaking on a Budget03:24 Live Music on Set06:46 Intermission Insights08:36 Musical Analysis and Themes19:48 Architecture and Brutalism23:02 Final Thoughts and Ratings27:59 Closing Remarks

The White Lotus | Cristobal Tapia de Veer 19.02.2025 24min

Welcome to the White Lotus, Settlers. The guys take a trip to Maui with Cristobal de Veer’s eery score in the Airpods. You know this one’s gonna end with a bang. Ev's score: 8.6 / Al's score: 9.3 / Ky's score: 9.2Musical term: PolyrhythmInstrumental Instrument: Voice of Cristobal Tapia de VeerIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram.00:00 Welcome to the White Lotus00:11 Reflecting on Past Seasons00:56 Mike White's Vision and Influence01:46 The Unique Filming Experience02:27 The Anthology Structure04:07 The Iconic Score05:44 Cristobal Tapia DeVere's Journey06:42 The Creative Process09:00 The Impact of the Score15:49 Season Two and Beyond20:10 Final Thoughts and Ratings

Captain America: The Winter Soldier | Henry Jackman 04.02.2025 41min

Before we get settling, does anyone want to get out? Cap is back, and the bros are celebrating by revisiting where it all began for the Falcon and the Winter Soldier with Henry Jackman's unique contribution to the MCU . Ev's score: 8 / Al's score: 8.3 / Ky's score: 8.6Musical term: AtonalityInstrumental Instrument: ScreamingIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram

Severance | Theodore Shapiro 16.01.2025 22min

Every time you find yourselves here, Settlers, it's because you chose to come back. The boys share their theories for what the "work" actually is, draft their top Lumon employees, and continue their anti-temp crusade.

Holiday Scoretacular 2024 20.12.2024 29min

It's the most wonderful time of year, and the best way to spread holiday cheer is settling scores for all to hear. Happy holidays, settlers!

Wicked | John Powell 12.12.2024 44min

That's right settlers, it's time to try defying gravity on this one as the bros take a trip to discuss one of their favorite musicals, and the unique twists John Powell added for its adaptation to the silver screen.