“The End is Coming.”
Those daunting words didn’t signal anything malicious, but rather the third and final installment of Saint Motel’s album “The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.” “The end begins May 14th,” another phrase posted by the band on their social media, hinted to fans the release of the first single of the album. The album was released in three parts: Part One in October 2019, Part Two in March 2020 and Part Three in June 2021. Covid-19 frequently affected and changed plans for the album up until its release. The band’s tour for the album was slated for fall 2021, however they just recently decided to cancel it due to the pandemic. Personally, I had tickets to see them in Buffalo, so I was more than crushed to learn of the cancellation.
If you vaguely recognize the name Saint Motel, it’s probably from their 2014 hit “My Type.” The song launched the band into the spotlight and got them gigs on late night shows and festivals, including playing the main stage of Coachella in 2015. Although the band has risen in popularity since then, the upbeat and catchy nature of their songs has stayed constant.
“The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” starts off with the song “Old Soul.” This slower-paced song feels like it would fit right into a 1920’s movie, full of glamor and grace. The second track, “Sisters,” is my personal favorite. It has a very 50’s sound to it, with the chorus even sampling the 1957 Sheppard Sisters song “Alone.” One of the more popular songs on the album, “A Good Song Never Dies,” brings a slick, spy-like sound that would fit perfectly in a James Bond movie. Meanwhile, the song “It’s All Happening” brings the sci-fi action feel of movies such as “The Suicide Squad.” This theme of movie genre-type songs is part of what gives the album its grandness. Each track conveys a different feeling and a different genre of music that you wouldn’t expect to see from an indie band like Saint Motel.
Accompanying a few of the tracks are visualizers featuring dramatic openings followed by actors dancing and creating a visual story to the song. This was done only for songs of the first installment, likely due to Covid, however they did release acoustic and mariachi versions of several songs from the album on their YouTube.
An album trying to embody the grandness of movies is something I’ve never seen before, and the way Saint Motel does it on “The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” makes it look effortless. Seamlessly transitioning from western to classical, the songs somehow never feel out of place. They tell their own story through the lyrics and instrumentals, making each track its own mini-movie. Whether on shuffle or in order, the songs on the album carry a weight unique and unforgettable.
Emily Imanishi is a second year writing for film, tv and emerging media major whose top artist on Spotify has been Saint Motel for five years straight. They can be reached at [email protected].