{"id":45469,"date":"2025-11-21T23:49:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T04:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/?p=45469"},"modified":"2025-11-23T02:16:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T07:16:44","slug":"soundwaves-new-from-hollywood-records-rental-family-original-motion-picture-soundtrack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/?p=45469","title":{"rendered":"Soundwaves: New from Hollywood Records Rental Family Original Motion Picture Soundtrack"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hollywood Records and Searchlight \"\"<\/a>Pictures releases Rental Family Original Motion Picture Soundtrack with music from J\u00f3nsi (Sigur R\u00f3s) & Alex Somers. Reuniting for their first co-score in more than a decade, longtime collaborators Somers and J\u00f3nsi bring a deeply attuned sound to director Hikari\u2019s quietly arresting new dramedy. Known for crafting music that blends fragility with warmth, the duo built the score from deteriorating tape machines, detuned instruments, and the delicate hiss of analog electronics, creating a sound that mirrors the film\u2019s exploration of disconnection, reinvention, and the search for authentic connection. Their return to co-scoring marks a natural extension of a creative partnership that began with their acclaimed ambient album Riceboy Sleeps (2009), culminating here in a work that feels handmade, human, and intimately aligned with the film\u2019s emotional core.<\/p>\n

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Set against modern-day Tokyo, RENTAL FAMILY follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.<\/p>\n

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Somers reflects on the score, \u201cRental Family was J\u00f3nsi\u2019s and my first co-score in years. Making music together was so instantly fruitful and collaborative and felt like coming home. We worked instinctually and the music flowed. Built around very old and fragile instruments, the score becomes an aural metaphor for a man on the margins of society, slowly finding connection. The collaborative relationship with our director Hikari was wonderful. She was excellent at giving us feedback and holding creative conversations about music and characters and the story arc. One memorable moment was asking Hikari to sing with us to create a 48-voice funeral choir for the big funeral scene that takes place in the movie. Here is our collection of music we made for Rental Family woven together into album form.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Rental Family (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) track listing:<\/p>\n

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  1. See Through Window <\/li>\n
  2. Window Weather <\/li>\n
  3. Cherry Blossom Pink Ink<\/li>\n
  4. Falling Petals <\/li>\n
  5. Nowhere Family<\/li>\n
  6. Found Family<\/li>\n
  7. Found Memory<\/li>\n
  8. Lost Memory<\/li>\n
  9. Nearing Death<\/li>\n
  10. Nearing Life<\/li>\n
  11. Funeral Choir<\/li>\n
  12. Be Together <\/li>\n
  13. Kiss<\/li>\n
  14. Journeying Home <\/li>\n
  15. Inside World<\/li>\n
  16. Outside World<\/li>\n
  17. Music Box<\/li>\n
  18. Found Family (For Princess Piano) <\/li>\n
  19. Lost Memory (For Princess Piano) <\/li>\n
  20. Family Tree<\/li>\n
  21. Funeral Choir (Fading Out) <\/li>\n
  22. Cherry Blossom Last Bloom<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    ABOUT J\u00d3NSI<\/p>\n

    Since the 1990s, world-renowned interdisciplinary Icelandic artist J\u00f3nsi (aka J\u00f3n \u00de\u00f3r Birgisson) has produced ethereal sounds through an astute aesthetic that combines the minimal, classical, and progressive. J\u00f3nsi initially gained international recognition as the lead vocalist for the Icelandic experimental rock band Sigur R\u00f3s. His unequivocal vocal and instrumental approach, including his signature bowed-guitar technique, has expanded the boundaries of musical genres, rendering him one of the leading musical artists of our time. <\/p>\n

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    In addition to studio albums, J\u00f3nsi has scored such films as the Amazon original thriller Tom Clancy\u2019s Without Remorse, and two Cameron Crowe films, We Bought a Zoo starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, and Aloha starring Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, and Emma Stone, as well as the drama\/history series Manhattan. He has written original music for numerous feature films, including three songs for the Universal Studios franchise How to Train Your Dragon (garnering him an Annie Award), Aquaman, Beautiful Boy, Boy Erased (nominated for a Golden Globe), The Snowman, Upside Down, This Must Be the Place, Netflix\u2019s Seaspiracy, and many more. Most recently, J\u00f3nsi reunited with longtime collaborator Alex Somers to score Searchlight Pictures\u2019 Rental Family, directed by HIKARI. <\/p>\n

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    Outside of Sigur R\u00f3s, J\u00f3nsi has cultivated a latticework of interconnected projects, inclusive of solo works and collaborations. He and composer Alex Somers released the landmark ambient album Riceboy Sleeps in 2009, followed by Lost & Found in 2019. In 2018 J\u00f3nsi, Somers, and Paul Corley formed Liminal, whose ambient sound-bath events have been hosted worldwide to high critical praise. In 2019 he joined Swedish composer Carl Michael von Hausswolf to form Dark Morph, and in 2020 released his second solo album Shiver, created in collaboration with producer A.G. Cook and featuring Elizabeth Fraser and Robyn. <\/p>\n

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    J\u00f3nsi has collaborated with musicians, visual artists, and filmmakers including Doug Aitken, Cameron Crowe, Merce Cunningham, Olafur Eliasson, and Carl Michael von Hausswolf, creating an acclaimed multidisciplinary body of work spanning award-winning film scores, solo exhibitions at leading museums and galleries, and multisensory \u201cscented concerts\u201d through his Reykjav\u00edk-based perfumery and art collective, Fischersund. <\/p>\n

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    Born in Iceland in 1975, J\u00f3n \u00de\u00f3r \u201cJ\u00f3nsi\u201d Birgisson lives and works in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    ABOUT ALEX SOMERS<\/p>\n

    Alex Somers’ journey into film composition began with a Tascam four-track tape recorder he acquired at age 13, which ignited his fascination with manipulating sound and creating his own sonic realities. This early interest evolved significantly, leading him to study film scoring and music therapy at Berklee College of Music. Upon completion, Alex relocated to Reykjav\u00edk Iceland where he attended the Iceland Academy of the Arts. In Reykjav\u00edk, Alex honed his skills as a composer, producer, audio engineer and mixer. His pivotal moment came when he collaborated with J\u00f3nsi of Sigur R\u00f3s, contributing to ambient projects like Riceboy Sleeps and Liminal, which saw him transition to a sought-after composer for film and television.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Somers gained notable recognition in film scoring, contributing music to acclaimed projects such as Captain Fantastic, Honey Boy, Here We Are: Notes For Living On Planet Earth, and the Netflix series Black Mirror episode “Hang the DJ”. In addition, Somers makes music as a collaborator with artist and composer Scott Alario. The duo co-scored (with Forest Kelley) the 2019 Oscar-nominated documentary film Hale County This Morning, This Evening (2018, directed by RaMell Ross). In 2024, they connected with Ross again, this time to compose music for his fiction feature debut, Nickel Boys (MGM, 2024). Somers\u2019 most recent projects include the short All The Empty Rooms, which will release on Netflix later this year and HIKARI\u2019s Rental Family (Searchlight Pictures). <\/p>\n

    His work also extended to producing and recording with artists like the aforementioned Sigur R\u00f3s and J\u00f3hann J\u00f3hannsson. With several solo albums to his name, his work outside of film scoring showcases his distinctive style, blending elements of film composition, ambient, post-classical, and electronica into a cohesive and evocative sound. His music often combines his fascination with found sounds and his musical influences, including electronic pioneers like Oval and his brother John Somers.<\/p>\n

    Now based in Los Angeles, Somers continues to work on film scores and new solo projects, marking a new chapter in his dynamic career.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    ABOUT DISNEY MUSIC GROUP <\/p>\n

    Disney Music Group (DMG) spearheads The Walt Disney Company\u2019s global music ventures, encompassing recorded music, publishing, and live concerts. As the home of iconic labels like Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, DMG boasts an extensive portfolio that includes soundtracks from some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment\u2014Disney, Walt Disney Animation, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Searchlight Pictures, 20th Century Studios, and Disney+. <\/p>\n

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    A trailblazer in the industry, DMG has launched award-winning and chart-topping albums, including the Grammy\u00ae-winning Encanto, the Oscar\u00ae-winning Frozen, and the fan-favorite Guardians of the Galaxy mixtapes. Its rich legacy extends to celebrated compositions from WandaVision and The Mandalorian, iconic scores like Soul (Oscar\u00ae and Grammy\u00ae winner), Black Panther, Coco, and Moana, as well as hit video games such as Spider-Man 2, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Grammy\u00ae winner), and Star Wars Outlaws.  <\/p>\n

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    Recent releases include Freakier Friday, Fantastic 4: First Steps, Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, Thunderbolts, Lilo & Stitch, Snow White, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, Inside Out 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine, alongside television soundtracks for Sh\u014dgun, Agatha All Along, Only Murders in the Building, and Descendants: The Rise of Red. Looking ahead, DMG is set to unveil highly anticipated soundtracks for Electric Bloom, Vampirina, Avatar 3 and Zootopia 2.<\/p>\n

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    With a catalog spanning over eight decades, DMG\u2019s music has become a cornerstone of global pop culture. From timeless classics like Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and Mary Poppins to modern epics such as Avatar and The Lion King, DMG\u2019s repertoire continues to define cinematic music history.  <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Through Disney Concerts, DMG enchants audiences worldwide, producing and licensing thousands of live performances such as Descendants\/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour, Star Wars in Concert, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Disney on Classic, Pixar in Concert, The Lion King 30th Anniversary, and Marvel\u2019s Infinity Saga. These spectacular productions celebrate the music that has shaped storytelling for generations.  <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    DMG also leads in music innovation and discovery with curated playlists, its dedicated SiriusXM station (Channel 133), and the Disney Music Emporium (www.disneymusicemporium.com), an online hub for exclusive vinyl and collector\u2019s editions. Its acclaimed The Big Score video series highlights the composers behind DMG\u2019s most iconic soundtracks, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry that brings music to life.  <\/p>\n

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    Beyond soundtracks, DMG represents a dynamic roster of artists and songwriters, including Queen (in the U.S. and Canada), Andy Grammer, Sofia Carson, TINI, kenzie, almost monday, Freya Skye, Adrian Lyles, Dewain Whitmore, Tony Ferrari, Lenii, Paris Carney, Rose Tan, and others. <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Setting the gold standard in music and entertainment, Disney Music Group remains at the heart of the soundtrack to our lives, inspiring and connecting audiences across generations.  <\/p>\n

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    Follow Hollywood Records:                             <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    Instagram: @hollywoodrecords<\/a> | Twitter: @HollywoodRecs<\/a> | TikTok: @hollywoodrecords<\/a>  <\/div>\n
     <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hollywood Records and Searchlight Pictures releases Rental Family Original Motion Picture Soundtrack with music from J\u00f3nsi (Sigur R\u00f3s) & Alex Somers. Reuniting for their first co-score in more than a decade, longtime collaborators Somers and J\u00f3nsi bring a deeply attuned … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[11885,12535,13114,10855,13112,10943,13113],"class_list":["post-45469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-soundwaves","tag-alex-somers","tag-disney-music-group","tag-dmg","tag-hollywood-records","tag-jonsi","tag-original-motion-picture-soundtrack","tag-rental-family"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45469"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45469\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45479,"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45469\/revisions\/45479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geekstronomy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}