Emily Robb has cemented her place as one of the underground’s most distinctive guitarists. Her pair of visionary solo albums on Petty Bunco showcase her evocative, feedback-rich guitar style and her gift for finding melody inside the noise. The invitation to compose the score for The Space Between Attack and Decay has led Robb into new and fascinating territory. Her imaginative soundtrack reveals some of her most far-reaching and expressive work to date.
"Wake Up" serves as the recurring theme that follows the film’s lead character. Its dark melody trudges beneath breathy layers of trumpet, creating an atmosphere that’s both intimate and uneasy. When it returns as "Frustrated Wake Up," the theme takes on sharper edges, punctuated by Robb’s crunching guitar rhythms and waves of tremolo. Her natural instinct to rock shines through here, giving the cue a playfulness that blends perfectly with the film’s mood. Like a great Morricone motif, it instantly defines the protagonist’s identity.
"Shiny Sister" drifts in on lilting Spanish-guitar melodies that gradually give way to ethereal, siren-like vocals. The subtle Mexican influence in instrumentation and phrasing evoke the more romantic side of 1960s and ’70s spaghetti western scores, infused with the sun-bleached mysticism of Jadorowosky's El Topo. This piece expands the film’s emotional space while standing beautifully on its own.
"Dance Music" echoes the story’s theme of searching. Drums and bass circle one another in a loose, hesitant rhythm, like two people shyly beginning to dance, gradually gaining confidence with each pass. Eventually, Robb’s electric guitar cuts through triumphantly, mirroring the transcendent joy of finally finding what you’ve been searching for.
The album’s more atmospheric moments deepen the film’s unconventional storytelling. "Hell Music" recalls the abstract, droning soundscapes of Neil Young’s Dead Man score, while "Ocean Scene / Underwater Theme" channels the dark, meditative tension of Popol Vuh’s cinematic works.
Robb has always shown a fearless willingness to experiment in her studio. This light-hearted approach to creativity allows her to stay fully herself and focus on capturing energy in the moment. The result is music that feels urgent, emotionally direct, and unmistakably hers. The Space Between Attack and Decay isn’t just a film score; it’s another testament to Emily Robb’s restless imagination and singular voice in the world of underground sound.
—Kryssi B
Tracklist
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#5 Ocean Scene/Underwater Theme
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#9 Underwater Theme Outtake
