It seems to be a bit of a pattern for me to discover new music through television and cinema. I recently watched the wonderfully creepy Stoker, and the song that played in the credits immediately caught my attention. Becomes the Color by Emily Wells and Clint Mansell is a wildly mysterious, atmospheric song with innumerable moments of electronic detail supporting Wells’ uniquely rich voice.
Something that seems to sell me on certain songs is the unique mood that the combination of sounds creates. I am often taken aback by the idea that sound can evoke such a strong emotional response. Becomes the Color has a sinister undertone, the kind of wink that reminds you that it’s fun to be a little bit bad, or at least a little bit badass. The collage of electronic sounds that the song opens with an unidentifiable electronic tinkle, soon to be joined by a melancholy melody that almost sounds as though it was recorded underwater, and Wells’ vocal. The steady rhythm and gentle bass line continue to grow and support Wells’ unique blend of R&B and alt pop vocal style. The percussion, although consistent, has beautiful moments of interest, inviting spacey kettle drum sounds to join the crisp routine of the regular drum kit. A hint of strings wafts in and out of the track, with the electronic babble lurking in the distance. The vocal structure and editing is also a point of interest in the song. The verses feature rich alto tones and harmonies, with Wells’ singing nearing a rap style - it’s got a beautiful texture and emotion to it – a marriage of confident strength and bewildered vulnerability. The chorus shows of a luxurious soprano melody, quick, catchy and deliciously immersive. It seems Wells’ and Mansell’s creation is an extremely intentional choice – carrying the strange allure of the film through to the final second of viewing time. I experienced Becomes the Color as the cherry on top of an eerily beautiful film, and I’m so glad I stuck around for the credits.
