Settle into the unsettling

John Carpenter, the mastermind behind the iconic piece entitled “Halloween Theme,” recently released his album Anthology II. This record is a compilation of instrumentals from his various films, including The Thing and Halloween. With the help of his son Cody and godson Daniel Davies, Carpenter was able to breathe new life into recognizable compositions from well-known horror flicks. These new mixes maintain their ‘80s flare while keeping listeners curious about possible changes.

The record starts with “Chariots of Pumpkins,” which features high-pitched, fast-paced synths. There are subtle elements added as the song progresses, such as the whining of an electronic keyboard and fluctuations in dynamics. The deep bassline contrasts nicely with the rest of the composition, especially with the highest-pitched notes that adds to the track’s spookiness. “69th St. Bridge Street” begins with rapid high hat taps and a hypnotic piano riff that’s repeated throughout. Soaring, dissonant synths and minimal composition choices create a sense of isolation and trepidation.

Beginning with tambourine, distorted synth and electric guitar, “Wake Up” has a jazzier feel. Between the piano in the background that’s still given space to shine and various percussive elements, this piece is more relaxed in comparison to the previous tracks. Around two and a half minutes in, airy synths appear that stretch and expand themselves to a wider range of frequencies. The score concludes with a final smack of the drums.

“The Shape Enters Laurie’s Room” is a perfect track to play if you’d want to be the scariest house in the neighborhood on Halloween. The foundation of this piece is the buzzing bass that haunts the background. However, it’s occasionally interrupted by sudden startling synths meant to put listeners on edge. “Season of the Witch” starts with descending instrumentation that leads into a symphony of deep and darker sounds. The most prominent element of this track is the twinkling synth, resembling morse code, which highlights the piece’s surrealism.

The bass from the previous song bleeds into “Love at a Distance.” Aspects such as the electric guitar and xylophone-like synth bring a magical quality to the score. While it has spooky undertones, the pulsing bass adds a playful vibe. “The Shape Stalks Again” features pounding drums and piano that are both played on the same beats throughout the duration of the song. Given this track is from the Halloween II soundtrack, it’s meant to instill anxiety and is super effective in doing so.

The album concludes with “Laurie’s Theme.” The first half of the composition features piano playing that alternates between low and higher notes, and is at times similar to Carpenter’s “Halloween Theme” from the same film. However, in the second half, the main focus is on higher-pitched notes. The synths feels disjunct, which is effective for creating an unsettling atmosphere.

Anthology II is a great record to listen to this Halloween season. Carpenter’s talents as a composer and filmmaker shine through in these reworkings of older pieces as they showcase the knowledge he possesses about horror.