Why We’re Obsessed With The 'Mother Mary' Soundtrack!

A24’s new psychosexual drama Mother Mary has been living in our heads rent-free since its theatrical release on April 17. The film follows the titular Mother Mary, a pop star who feels called to reconnect with her former costume designer and estranged best friend. The story dives into their history, with suspenseful hints that there may be something deeper and darker beneath the surface of this connection. No matter the type of plot, a movie about a pop star is nothing without its soundtrack, and Mother Mary did a great job of pulling us in with its music. With 7 original songs performed by the lead actress Anne Hathaway, the soundtrack was very well-received by its audience. Here’s why fans (including us) are obsessed!

1. The Dream Team Behind It

The soundtrack features original songs co-written by Jack Antonoff, Charli XCX, FKA Twigs, George Daniel, and Anne Hathaway herself. Antonoff is recognized by Billboard as one of the greatest producers of the 21st century. He has written and produced music for various pop stars, including (but not limited to) Taylor Swift, Lorde, Lana del Rey, and Doja Cat, and his talent and range are evident in the film's soundtrack. Charli XCX described that, while the music they were making wasn’t like anything she would see in her own discography, it was still music she loved. "My Mouth Is Lonely for You" was written by FKA Twigs with her usual team, who decided the song was a good fit for the movie. The 1975’s George Daniel is also a collaborator on 3 of the songs for the soundtrack. Charli XCX’s hyperpop touch to the soundtrack formed a perfect experimental harmony with Daniel’s synth-pop and FKA Twigs’ electronic sound.

2. The Marketing

The soundtrack had a fanbase even before the film was released. The marketing team took advantage of the big names behind the music and came out with teasers and conversations diving into each one of the songs. The single "Burial" was released a month-and-a-half before the film hit the theaters, and the second single "My Mouth is Lonely for You" was released just over two weeks in advance. This created anticipation in the audience, and many moviegoers already knew the lyrics to the songs before they even stepped foot in the theater. A24 created a beautiful crimson red and gold vinyl containing the top songs for the movie, as well as its original score, giving fans the option to pre-order. The fact that people want a physical copy of a fictional pop star's album tells you everything about how this project landed. All 7 songs were released on Spotify on opening night, with many people online saying they were surprised by how good they were and that they think Anne Hathaway will make it into their yearly music wraps.

3. The Music Makes the Film Hypnotic

From the very first frame, this film pulls you in. The intentional color palettes and clever lighting make it visually interesting, but the music is what does a lot of the heavy lifting to keep you engaged. The experimental sounds punctuate the emotional and tense scenes, with electropop pointing your attention to themes of desire and obsession. The style enriches the film's psychosexual and suspenseful tone, making us even more interested in what will happen after each scene. Hathaway’s performance, both in her acting and in her singing, perfectly illustrated the music. It’s no surprise that a team of renowned modern musicians would create one of this year’s most memorable soundtracks!

Mother Mary is in theatres now, and the soundtrack is streaming everywhere!