The highly anticipated score for Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, “One Battle After Another,” composed by Jonny Greenwood, has been released digitally by Nonesuch Records. The album, featuring 18 original compositions, is now available for streaming and download, with CD and vinyl editions set to follow on November 14.
The Score’s Debut
This release marks another significant collaboration between Greenwood and the acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson, a partnership that has consistently yielded compelling cinematic soundscapes. The “One Battle After Another” score is performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Hugh Brunt. Greenwood himself contributed piano, guitar, bass, percussion, and the distinctive ondes Martenot to the recording. Critical reviews have highlighted the score’s vital role in shaping the film’s atmosphere, describing it as maintaining an “anxious mood with jazzy, discordant piano and unpredictable percussion” that masterfully tracks the on-screen tension and suspense. One critic noted it paces the film like a “metronome of suspense”.
A Deepening Collaboration
“One Battle After Another” is Greenwood’s sixth score for a Paul Thomas Anderson film released by Nonesuch Records, solidifying their status as one of contemporary cinema’s most fruitful director-composer duos. Their previous collaborations include the scores for “There Will Be Blood,” “The Master,” “Inherent Vice,” and “Phantom Thread,” all of which received critical acclaim and are considered integral to the films they accompany. Greenwood’s unique musical language, often characterized by its inventive instrumentation, dissonant textures, and ability to evoke complex emotional states, has become a hallmark of Anderson’s cinematic vision.
Musical Landscape of ‘One Battle After Another’
Described as a “propulsive, nervy score”, Greenwood’s work for “One Battle After Another” has already garnered significant praise. Reviewers have lauded its ability to complement the film’s blend of action, dark comedy, and thriller elements. The score is noted for its adventurousness, with “unpredictable percussion” and “discordant piano” contributing to an overall sound that is both unsettling and captivating. Greenwood’s distinctive approach, which often draws from classical traditions while embracing experimental jazz and atonality, ensures that the music is not merely incidental but an active participant in the narrative.
‘One Battle After Another’: Film and Cast
The film “One Battle After Another” is written, directed, and produced by Paul Thomas Anderson and is inspired in part by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel “Vineland.” The movie stars a formidable ensemble cast including Academy Award winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, alongside Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. The plot follows a former revolutionary, “Ghetto” Pat Calhoun (DiCaprio), who must navigate a perilous landscape to rescue his spirited daughter from a corrupt military official (Penn) who resurfaces after sixteen years. The film’s setting includes a locale described as having a “mostly latino population”.
Release Details and Critical Acclaim
“One Battle After Another” premiered in Los Angeles on September 8, 2025, and received a theatrical release nationwide on September 26, 2025, by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film has been met with widespread critical acclaim, with many reviews highlighting its inventive storytelling, performances, and technical achievements. Jonny Greenwood’s score has been consistently cited as a standout element, enhancing the film’s emotional and narrative depth. The digital release via Nonesuch Records ensures that audiences can now experience this acclaimed musical work independently, while the upcoming CD and vinyl formats offer collectors tangible versions of the soundtrack.
Conclusion
The release of Jonny Greenwood’s score for “One Battle After Another” is a significant event for fans of both the composer and Paul Thomas Anderson’s distinctive filmmaking. As the film continues to draw critical attention, the music stands as a testament to the powerful synergy between Anderson’s vision and Greenwood’s innovative compositional talent, offering a deeply immersive auditory experience that perfectly captures the film’s chaotic and suspenseful spirit.
