4 out of 5

Label: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Produced by: ?

Perfectly capturing the wild and yet generally see-saw emotional coverage of the show – the slapsticky pantomime; the weirdness; the intensity; the sweeping dramatics – Kenichiro Suehiro’s score for the second season of Golden Kamuy is, appropriately, a journey. The album’s action-packed first half segues into weightier, string- and horn-laden orchestrals, with an impressive layering of percussion obscured only by how catchy and immersive this work can be.

Different cultural / genre tones are worked in, with a Western and grand cinema vibe apparent throughout, affected by elements of Japenese and Russian music, again fitting for the scope of the show, and indicative of how synced Suehiro’s music is with the story. At the same time, though there’s the general divide mentioned above – the second half of the score is a bit more patient versus a very punchy, poppy first half – the music is sequenced such that this wholly works as a standalone experience, telling its own story.

Given how impressive the interplay of guitars, strings and percussion can be on the upbeat numbers, the cinematic compositions – wind instruments and bombast – seem somewhat plain by comparison, and the production doesn’t support the nuance of these songs as well. However, Suehiro tends to take each instance to interesting places, either finding ways to smoothe in the score’s ramblin’ man themes, or minimize or maximize on the song in ways that help to highlight those nuances.

A bit more thematically consistent – and thus more confident in playing with genres – over an expansive and already awesome first season score, Kenichiro Suehiro’s Golden Kamuy season 2 soundtrack is an excellent addition to that world, and to their oeuvre.