It Follows (soundtrack)

It Follows (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film score by
Disasterpeace
ReleasedMarch 10, 2015
Recorded2014–2015
GenreFilm score
Length44:44
LabelMilan
ProducerRichard Glasser
Disasterpeace chronology
Cannon Brawl
(2014)		 It Follows
(2015)		 Loop Ring Chop Drink
(2015)

It Follows (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the 2015 film It Follows directed by David Robert Mitchell. The original score for It Follows was composed by Rich Vreeland, known as Disasterpeace, in his debut feature film. Vreeland was involved in the project after Mitchell temped some of his music from Fez. The score was written in a tight deadline of three weeks as the film was about to be premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival on May 17.

The album was produced by Richard Glasser and published via Milan Records which released the album digitally on March 10, 2015, followed by physical CD and LP releases on March 31 and April 21, respectively. The album received positive reviews with praise directed on Vreeland's composition and the influence of classical horror scores blending with electronic and synth music. It has been regarded as one of the best horror film scores.

Development

Rich Vreeland, known under the stage name Disasterpeace, composed the score for It Follows in his maiden feature film.[1][2] Mitchell used some of the music from Vreeland's Fez, along with the likes of John Cage, John Carpenter and Krzysztof Penderecki's music as temp tracks.[3] Having liked Vreeland's work for the game, he sent a copy on the script to the composer who felt it anticlimatic and struck to him as an odd film, and was initially skeptical, until he watched Mitchell's debut film The Myth of the American Sleepover (2011) and had got the sense for treating the characters to be natural and believable, which would be the similar approach for It Follows, by including naturalistic characters into a horror film.[4][5]

Vreeland had decided to go ahead with making synth music, owing to his expertise in video games, and despite the horror genre, he found the requirements of what music needs, thereby creating dissonant, wild and experimental sounds, with Mitchell providing complete freedom. Despite Vreeland's early involvement, he had to complete the score within three weeks as it had to be premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival which he considered challenging. However, the inclusion of the temp tracks, including his own score for Fez, provided him the reference points.[6][7] The opening scene for the film was the first cue he had scored, which had set a higher bar in terms of intensity and the ending had "to be crazy" to match that level. The score utilized a range of melodic and abrasive sounds, to synthesizer arpeggios colliding with electronic drums in the ending, thereby providing a multitude of emotional tension musically, and the least traditional horror score featured for a horror film.[5][8]

Release

It Follows soundtrack was published by Milan Records.[9][10] Three tracks from the album—"Title", "Lakeward" and "Linger"—preceded as exclusive singles from the album via IndieWire on February 25, 2015.[11] The album, released digitally on March 10, in CDs on March 31, and in LPs on April 21.[12][13] On October 17, 2025, Vreeland re-issued a deluxe edition of the album, featuring 16 additional tracks that included alternatives and outtakes, and special cues that were not included in the original album.[14][15]

Reception

Jeremy Gordon of Pitchfork wrote: "It's a score that announces when something is about to happen, only to suddenly upend expectations and leave the room on edge."[16] Jocelyn Clark of The Irish Times wrote: "The boldly aleatory combination of brooding suspense and heart-stopping scares makes It Follows a masterpiece of both musical technique and dramatic storytelling – and one of the most remarkable scores of the year yet."[17] Pat Levy of Consequence wrote: "Vreeland has crafted a horror score that should live on for years to come. It may not have an instantly iconic riff like the musical cues to Jaws or Psycho, but it sure comes close."[18] Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote: "Vreeland's reverence for horror music tradition never gets in the way of making his own mark, however, and It Follows is a self-assured and—most importantly—truly unsettling debut as a film composer."[19]

Sean Wilson of Mfiles wrote: "For a debut film score, It Follows is very impressive – even if a stand-alone listening experience might have the listener reaching for a stiff drink."[20] The Film Scorer summarized "It may seem simple, but many scores do not amplify the film's emotional heft. In doing so, Disasterpeace stands apart and elevates the weight of the film's horror."[21]

Impact

Tom Philip of GQ described it as "one of the best film scores to listen while you work", adding that "It Follows is a breathlessly paranoid horror, and the music speaks to that throughout" and the composer "takes cues from '80s horror and his chiptune roots to make something unique, thrilling, and in parts thrilling in itself."[22] Terence Hannum of Bandcamp listed it as one of the best horror soundtracks, adding "Disasterpeace updates classic Carpenter/Howarth synth madness, combining that sound with moments bolstered by creepy atmospheres and icy arpeggios."[23]

Collider and The Vinyl Factory also ranked it as one of the best horror soundtracks,[24][25] with Dazed and Polygon also ranking it as one of the best film scores of 2015.[26][27] New Noise Magazine ranked at nine on the top 50 albums of 2015.[28] Stereogum also ranked it as one of the best horror scores of the 2010s.[29] Vice listed it as one of the best electronic horror soundtracks of all time, with Ian Stanley saying, "It Follows‘ retro-minded synth score mirrors its uncanny ability to recall the horror genre's past in a way that feels fresh and updated—not to mention terrifying."[30] The film also prompted Rich Vreeland to attain breakthrough, and eventually he composed for films such as Under the Silver Lake (2018), Triple Frontier (2019), Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) and Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022).[31]

Track listing

It Follows — standard edition
No.TitleLength
1."Heels"2:47
2."Title"2:17
3."Jay"1:28
4."Anyone"1:48
5."Old Maid"2:32
6."Company"4:12
7."Detroit"1:20
8."Detritus"2:18
9."Playpen"1:28
10."Inquiry"2:20
11."Lakeward"1:34
12."Doppel"5:25
13."Relay"1:52
14."Greg"3:28
15."Snare"0:59
16."Pool"1:35
17."Father"5:01
18."Linger"2:20
Total length:44:44
It Follows — deluxe re-issue
No.TitleLength
1."Heels"2:47
2."Title"2:17
3."Jay"1:28
4."Anyone"1:48
5."Old Maid"2:32
6."Company"4:12
7."Detroit"1:20
8."Detritus"2:18
9."Playpen"1:28
10."Inquiry"2:20
11."Lakeward"1:34
12."Doppel"5:25
13."Relay"1:52
14."Greg"3:28
15."Snare"0:59
16."Pool"1:35
17."Father"5:01
18."Linger"2:20
19."The Mirror"5:04
20."Title" (Nate Zonnevylle Remix)4:49
21."Pool" (Extended)6:59
22."Jay" (Alternate)2:28
23."Detroit" (Origins No. 2)1:52
24."Title" (Origins)2:44
25."Playpen" (Origins)2:19
26."Weapons of Velvet" (Dan Cantrell)4:07
27."Sick"2:16
28."Grab Bag"2:37
29."The Attic"3:09
30."Inquiry" (Origins)1:18
31."Detroit" (Origins No. 1)4:06
32."Detroit" (Alternate + Super Hoop VRC6 Demake)2:22
33."Title" (From Disasters for Piano) (Disasterpeace and David Peacock)2:14
34."Clamshell"2:14
Total length:95:22

Accolades

Award Category Result Ref.
Austin Film Critics Association Best Original Score Nominated [32]
[33]
[34]
Chicago Film Critics Association Best Original Score Nominated [35]
[36]
[37]
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Score Won [38]
IndieWire Critics Poll Best Original Score or Soundtrack 4th place [39]
International Cinephile Society Best Original Score 2nd place [40]
St. Louis Film Critics Association Best Score Nominated [41]

References

  1. ↑ "Scoring Horror Interview with RICH VREELAND". Cinema Knife Fight. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  2. ↑ "25 New Faces of 2014: Rich Vreeland". Filmmaker. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  3. ↑ Tiedemann, Garrett (March 27, 2015). "'It Follows': Disasterpeace on his eerie score". Your Classical. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  4. ↑ Delany, Rhys (February 17, 2025). "Composer Richard Vreeland (Disasterpeace) Reflects on It Follows 10th Anniversary". Screensphere. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Vehling, Aaron (August 6, 2015). "It Follows: The Unlikely Horror of Disasterpeace". Vehlinggo. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ Yanick, Joseph (April 7, 2015). "'It Follows' from Video Gaming: An interview with Soundtrack Composer Disasterpeace". Vice. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  7. ↑ Gould, Richard (October 12, 2015). "Interview with Rich Vreeland (Disasterpeace) on Restrictions". Designing Sound. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  8. ↑ Truitt, Brian (July 10, 2015). "'It Follows' soundtrack is a Disasterpeace". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  9. ↑ "It Follows (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on August 2, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Disasterpeace: It Follows - Soundtrack". Milan Records. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (February 25, 2015). "Exclusive: Listen To 3 Tracks By Disasterpeace From The Soundtrack To Horror Sensation 'It Follows'". The Playlist. IndieWire. Archived from the original on February 26, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  12. ↑ Barton, Steve (February 25, 2015). "It Follows – Listen to Three Tracks from Disasterpiece". Dread Central. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  13. ↑ Barkan, Jonathan (February 25, 2015). "Stream 3 Tracks From The It Follows Soundtrack". Bloody Disgusting!. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  14. ↑ "It Follows (Deluxe Reissue)". Disasterpeace. October 17, 2025. Archived from the original on February 17, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026 – via Bandcamp.
  15. ↑ "'It Follows' Deluxe Edition Soundtrack to Be Released". Film Music Reporter. October 14, 2025. Archived from the original on November 11, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  16. ↑ Gordon, Jeremy (April 1, 2015). "Disasterpeace: It Follows OST". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  17. ↑ Clarke, Jocelyn (February 26, 2015). "Disasterpeace: It Follows | Soundtrack Review". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  18. ↑ Levy, Pat (April 7, 2015). "Album Review: Disasterpeace - It Follows OST". Consequence. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  19. ↑ Phares, Heather. "Review: It Follows [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  20. ↑ Wilson, Sean. "Disasterpeace (Richard Vreeland): It Follows - original soundtrack review". MFiles. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  21. ↑ "It Follows – Disasterpeace – Film Score Review". The Film Scorer. April 24, 2019. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  22. ↑ Philip, Tom (June 8, 2017). "The Best Movie Scores to Listen to While You Work". GQ. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  23. ↑ Hannum, Terence (October 30, 2017). "11 Creepy Horror Soundtracks for All Hallows' Eve and Beyond". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Best Horror Movie Soundtracks: Halloween to It Follows". Collider. October 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 7, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  25. ↑ "10 essential horror movie soundtracks". The Vinyl Factory. October 31, 2023. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  26. ↑ Jones, Daisy (November 25, 2015). "The ten greatest film soundtracks of 2015". Dazed. Archived from the original on December 4, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  27. ↑ Alexander, Julia (December 20, 2015). "10 best film scores of 2015". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 21, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Staff Picks: Top 50 Albums of 2015 by Deadite". New Noise Magazine. January 22, 2016. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  29. ↑ Bowe, Miles (October 29, 2019). "The 13 Best Horror Scores Of The '10s". Stereogum. Archived from the original on March 11, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  30. ↑ "The 31 Best Electronic Horror Movie Soundtracks of All Time". Vice. October 25, 2016. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  31. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (October 14, 2016). "Best Film Composers: 23 Most Exciting Musicians Working Today". Collider. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  32. ↑ Whittaker, Richard (December 18, 2015). "Austin Critics Announce Award Nominees". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  33. ↑ Whittaker, Richard (December 29, 2015). "Mad Max: Fury Road Tops Austin Film Critics Association Awards". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  34. ↑ Miller, Neil (December 29, 2015). "Austin Film Critics Love Mad Max, Room and Ex Machina". Film School Rejects. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  35. ↑ Gire, Dann (December 14, 2015). "'Mad Max: Fury Road' leads Chicago film critics nominees". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  36. ↑ Gire, Dann (December 17, 2015). "'Mad Max: Fury Road' wins best picture from Chicago Film Critics". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  37. ↑ Zwecker, Bill (December 14, 2015). "'Mad Max' leads pack with most nominations from Chicago Critics". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  38. ↑ "The 2016 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Winners and Full Results!". Fangoria. May 10, 2016. Archived from the original on May 18, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  39. ↑ Kohn, Eric (December 14, 2015). "Critics Pick the Best Films and Performances of 2015 in Indiewire's Annual Poll". IndieWire. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  40. ↑ Stevens, Beth (February 21, 2016). "2016 ICS Award Winners". International Cinephile Society. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Annual StLFCA Awards". St. Louis Film Critics Association. December 21, 2015. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
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