The music ofAmerican Fictionis coming to vinyl, andScreen Ranthas a look at the very collectible release. Written and directed by first-time feature film director Cord Jefferson,American Fictionis a satirical drama about novelist Monk (Jeffrey Wright) who, frustrated by the commercial success of entertainment that profits on the exploitation of Black tropes, writes a novel that puts him at the heart of that machine. The movie was nominated for five Academy Awards, with Jefferson winning one for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Screen Rantis happy to present a first look at theAmerican Fiction Original Motion Picture Soundtrackon vinyl, which is the first-ever physical release of the movie’s music.Screen Rant’s American Fictionreviewcalled the movie “Confident and provocative”, and the vinyl release by Mutant embodies those claims. The package includes Laura Karpman’s Academy Award-nominated score on 140gm vinyl, artwork by award-winning illustrator Akiko Stehrenberger, and a replica Stagg R. Leigh “F***k” novel dust jacket. Scroll on for a first look at the unique package Mutant is offering forAmerican Fiction, and check out what Karpman had to say about the score’s vinyl release:
Laura Karpman: It now is what it always should’ve been… American Fiction on vinyl. The look is perfect, the sound even better. The music has come alive again!
Why American Fiction Is An Essential Laura Karpman Score
American Fictionis a layered discussion of race, with even small details likeMonk’s Stagg R. Leigh aliasrich with historical meaning. The nuanced storytelling and racial themes allowed Karpman to pull from historically Black musical genres while still playing along with the satirical nature of the film. Although Karpman has an incredibly long resume as a composer for film, video games, and television,American Fictionallowed her to craft a score that could be seen as a culmination of her musical interests and experience.
Before Karpman was an eight-time Emmy Award nominee (and one-time winner), a Grammy Award winner, and a go-to composer for Marvel projects includingCaptainAmerica: Brave New World, she studied for a master’s degree and doctorate at New York City’s prestigious Juilliard School. Although her focus was music composition, Karpman also performed in jazz clubs on the weekends. Flash-forward toAmerican Fiction, where Karpman was able to craft intimate and touching melodies alongside pieces that listeners could imagine being played at the Blue Note or any of New York City’s other jazz hubs.
Because of this, Karpman’s score forAmerican Fictionworks perfectly well away from picture. That’s far from a sure thing for film scores, as the most appropriate film music often doesn’t have the intricacy or melodic structure to hold up outside of its intended supporting role. This score, however, captures attention long after theAmerican Fictionendinggives way to rolling credits.
TheAmerican FictionOriginal Motion Picture Soundtrackvinyl goes on sale at 10am PT/12pm CT/1pm ET atmadebymutant.com.
American Fiction
Cast
Based on the novel by Percival Everett, American Fiction is a drama film that stars Jeffrey Wright as author and English Professor Thelonious “Monk” Ellison. With his students lacking cultural sensitivity and publishers rejecting his novels, believing them not to be “Black enough,” Monk returns to his hometown where he witnesses a new young Black author who has created an instant best seller. As he attempts to ignore the success of another, he reunites with his family, where tragedy and chaos begin to consume them.
