It’s The Bad Guys Turn

There’s only one thing that people enjoy more than superheros - Villains. That’s how one of 2016’s most anticipated movies came to be Suicide Squad. In a Marvel dominated superhero genre, DC creates a movie that holds its own on the big screen.

Following in the shoes of Guardians of the Galaxy, Suicide Squad aimed itself towards a pricey, eclectic soundtrack. With original songs, throwbacks, and covers, the Suicide Squad Soundtrack soared to the top of the charts, staying there for weeks.

Steven Price, composer, is one of the greats. Known for his work on Fury and Gravity, he aimed for the soundtrack to mimic the emotional ride the movie provides. Through a mix of rap, R&B, classic rock, and indie genres, the album is a concept album of sorts, telling the story of Suicide Squad.

The album should be judged song by song, because with so many genre, artist, and style differences, there is no comparing apples to apples.

One of the album’s heavy hitters is “Sucker for Pain”. It boasts a hoard of artists, six big names on this track alone. Imagine Dragons gives a dynamic chorus in between the raps of Ty Dolla $ign, Logic, Lil Wayne, and then Wiz Khalifa. Each rapper lends his own flavor, leaving the listener wondering whose voice will come next. The song ends with the soulful note of X Ambassadors.

Next up is Twenty One Pilots’s “Heathens”. Having recently broken into the mainstream, Twenty One Pilots supplies its unique rhythm in the way of catchy chorus and a rap that rattles your chest. These two songs are definite winners.

The album contains three more songs that make the win-list, but not as greatly as the formers. “Standing in the Rain” matches Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys) and Action Bronson with a sample of “The Rain’ by Oran Juice Jones. There is a juxtaposition of Auerbach’s smooth tones and Bronson’s aggressive raps that fit well into it’s movie scene.

“Gangsta”, by Kehlani, has an R&B backbeat with the strong, clear vocals familiar to the genre’s fans. The song’s layered vocals have a lofty feeling, making the song sound light, in contrast to its heavy meaning.

Lastly, is “Wreak Havoc” by Skylar Grey matches a gritty feel to a hard beat. Sounding a bit typical of a female rap, the song is a nice break to the male-heavy rap tracks.

The album is not only made up of original songs, but some throwbacks as well. “Slippin’ Into Darkness” by War, and “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival halts the momentum of the original songs, giving a reminiscent feeling to a modern album.

This may be the first time the younger generations has heard “Slippin’ Into Darkness”, a classic from 1971, but “Fortunate Son” is a song that everyone knows, even if they aren’t conscious of it. These two songs add another layer of depth to the soundtrack.

There are three covers in the track listing; “You Don’t Own Me”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and “I Started a Joke”. Grace takes on Leslie Gore with “You Don’t Own Me”.

Sounding straight from a jukebox, Grace sassily serenades with intermittent disruptions to spice up the track with G-Eazy’s rap.

There has very few times been a cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody” that stands up to the original, but Panic! At The Disco’s is one for the record books. With the vocal range to cover the entire song, Brendon Urie croons the melody we know so well, in a familiar but interesting way.

“I Started a Joke” is covered by ConfidentialMX featuring Becky Hanson. A creepy spin on the Bee Gees, this song is prominent in a Harley Quinn scene, accurately capturing her unsettling nature.

While the album has its high points, there are also lows. “Purple Lamborghini”, created by Skrillex and Rick Ross, has uninventive lyrics and rhythms found in almost every EDM song. “Know Better”, by Kevin Gates, is reminiscent of a bad Flo-Rida song. “Without Me” is a classic Eminem song, but it throws us back to 2002 and just can’t find its place in the album.

The last underwhelming song is Grimes’s “Medieval Warfare”. With barely audible, squeaky vocals, this song had potential to be a great hype song, but fell short.

Overall, this album is all over the place in style and genre, just like the movie it represents. Telling the story of crazed maniacs with different backstories is quite the undertaking, one that Steven Price took on and succeeded.

This album needs to be listened to, and take your time with it, because there is something for everyone. This album will drag you in and hold you hostage; it’s just what bad guys do.