#episode 8 was when I went from to oohhhhhhh this is distorted I think they ARE all diff

[thelaurenshippen]

alright, I decided to just go and actually LISTEN to all the andor title themes back to back (and put them into a playlist, only the ones up through Episode 8 have been released it seems) and pick out the biggest differences, so here we go. my music degree is ten years old and very dusty, so there's absolutely better people out there to talk through this but I haven't seen anyone else doing it yet! this is my attempt.

the theme melody is in each episode, but the orchestrations are incredibly different. each theme starts with two tones - a bass tone that acts as a drone initially, and a higher tone that is usually pulsed. then the melody comes in and builds up to...well. it changes based on the arc. okay. here we go:

FERRIX ARC

Episode 1- droned low tone, pulsed higher tone, and then establishes the theme with sweeping strings and steady, then bombastic, percussion. brass come in to double the theme as it builds, before falling into a B section - very much what we'd expect from a Star Wars theme, big and orchestral and memorable.

Episode 2 - starts roughly the same, is melodically the same, but has waaaay less texture. it relies entirely on strings that feel bare, there's no brass or percussion, instead texture created from the strings overlapping and then abruptly cutting off and reverberating into nothing. no B theme whatsoever.

Episode 3 - the first time the low tone is pulsed, the higher tone is plucked this time, which gives it a very different feel. the melody is initially on synths and more of a vague suggestion at the melody before the actual melody as we know it comes in on the strings. my favorite thing about this one is that the percussion is through the kind of stick hitting sound that ferrix uses for their warning system in this episode, so it's a little preview of that.

ALDHANI ARC

Episode 4 - no opening tones at all, just intense percussion and then what sounds like some electric guitar texture way in the back. the melody is very hidden initially before coming in on our familiar strings, but it stays behind the percussion the whole time before it all suddenly stops, the reverberation shorter this time than in other episodes.

Episode 5 - an interesting mix of Episodes 2 and 3 feelings-wise in my opinion - both tones at the top are pulsed/plucked as in Ep 3 but the whole thing has a very delicate feeling to it, akin to Episode 2. this is the first theme where piano features prominently, playing the lead melody and it's also the first time we have our B section from Episode 1 again. I've been trying to figure out why we get the full theme this time, B section and all, and why it's so delicate, and I think it's because this is really the episode where all the various plot lines we've been following are all present and everyone is carefully constructing their missions, hence the delicacy.

Episode 6 - we start on strings and there is no low tone at all. everything is very percussive outside the melody and percussion only comes in toward the very end, an organic beat that brings us out alone. in general, this theme feels way more "organic" than the rest - no synth instruments, more warm and round tones, I think probably meant to reflect the people of Aldhani's celebration of The Eye. I also find it fascinating that for an episode that is so tightly choreographed, that has such a bombastic sequence, this theme feels like disparate staccato parts that don't build like the rest. nicholas britell, let me into your mind.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Episode 7 - this episode is sort of a standalone in between arcs, and the theme reflects that - it's a little confusing, using synths and a a bunch of instruments that are also probably synths but that I can't identify. there's a fuller sound than the last episode, but more chaotic texture, with these moaning synths punctuating throughout. and we do fall into the B section again (which I'm beginning to think is the mark of transition points), but it happens more subtly than previously.

NARKINA 5 ARC

Episode 8 - we get percussion right at the start and, in one of my favorite choices, we get the melody on synths but they're pitch bent to sound distorted. the strings come in and the drums build, but it cuts off quick, the distorted synths the last thing we hear

(had to go back into the episodes themselves for these last two)

Episode 9 - the beginning is completely different from other themes, a fast and frantic...synth? of some kind? with an adagio melody coming in right away, rather than one of our familiar tones. we can hear the same distorted synths in the background, but the melody is a little clearer. but everything feels....further back. the melody is quiet, without one piece of the overall orchestration really taking the lead. think there's probably a lot to explore here re: nobody's listening! and also the prisoners working in perfect lockstep on the floor.

Episode 10 - starts more traditionally, low tone then high, except the higher tone is on a wind (?) instrument I think and, to me, evokes the feeling of an orchestra tuning up (fwiw, it is literally playing A440, the tuning pitch) and the wind instrument builds the melody before the strings come in and take over, then handing it off to the brass. like Episode 1, it is more traditionally orchestral, and there's something really lovely about the instruments handing off the melody to each other, in the way the prisoners all join together for the escape. it doesn't build into anything bombastic, but falls into that B section and, because I had to go back into the episode to listen, I realized that the B section (at least for this one) is over action in the show, not the title.

anyway, thank you for reading this if you read this far and also apologies for splattering my brain over your tumblr dash, I just had to sit down and listen to all these. someone much smarter and better at musical orchestrations has probably already done a whole youtube video essay on this, so please send those links if you've got them