The film tells the story of Helga Schneider, a woman abandoned by her mother during childhood to become a Nazi guard. In the year 2000, her family unveils her secret and confront their demons.
Selway has two full-length albums under his belt. Between Radiohead albums, the drummer released pulsing records shaped by his syrupy voice and eerie guitar work. Let Me Go is Selway’s film score debut, so he had to wrap his writing impulses around weeping strings and a bleak backdrop. He does it well, with several bursts of tragic brilliance.
The soundtrack opens with ‘Helga’s Theme’, a song that dresses the film in creeping lament. A soft piano guides a cello through the dark. Selway finger picks a lonely guitar on ‘Wide Open’. He pleads for comfort and attention but nothing comes his way. He sings again on the title track with drums, piano, and descending strings all meeting for a compelling climax. It’s the album’s greatest spot. On Let Me Go, Selway has crafted a lovely soundtrack of focused guitar work and moving strings out of a Max Richter soundtrack.
8/10
