A. G. Cook, renowned for his extensive collaborations with Charli XCX, has ventured into the realm of film scoring for the first time with her mockumentary, "The Moment." His approach to this project involved creating a distinctive musical backdrop that subtly references Charli XCX's seminal album "Brat" while forging its own identity. Cook's journey into film composition reveals a meticulous process, where he carefully sculpted sounds and melodies to enhance the film's narrative and emotional depth, drawing inspiration from iconic cinematic works.
Cook's involvement in "The Moment" felt like a natural progression, given his long-standing professional relationship with Charli XCX. The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, delves into an alternate reality where Charli must navigate the complexities of artistic integrity versus commercial appeal. Cook's score plays a crucial role in this narrative, providing an electrifying sonic experience that evokes the essence of "Brat" without directly incorporating its tracks. This deliberate decision allowed him to explore new musical avenues, creating a score that supports the film's themes and dramatic turns.
The creative process for "The Moment" began roughly a year prior to the interview, with Cook starting to compose elements of the score even before filming commenced. This early engagement allowed his musical ideas to influence the production, integrating the score into the film's fabric from the outset. He established a clear set of rules for himself, notably avoiding Charli's direct vocals in the score unless explicitly shown on screen, which allowed for a more instrumental and atmospheric soundscape. The only exception was a unique sample of "I Love It" in the track "Dread," used in a way that detached it from its original context, highlighting Cook's innovative approach.
A significant influence on Cook's score was David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive," a film he rewatched during the initial stages of composition. The film's use of suspended, ambiguous chords by Angelo Badalamenti resonated with Cook, informing his own harmonic progressions. He aimed to create music that conveyed emotion without being overtly positive or negative, allowing for a more nuanced interpretation by the audience. This influence is particularly evident in moments of emotional intensity and in the subtle shifts within the score, such as during Charli's monologues, where the music navigates various emotional states without fully settling on one.
One of the most notable musical choices in "The Moment" is the incorporation of The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony." This iconic track serves as the film's sole significant needle drop, a deliberate choice to maximize its impact. Cook meticulously worked with the original stems of the song, seamlessly integrating it into his score, allowing the music to morph and flow from his compositions into the classic track. This careful blending ensures that "Bitter Sweet Symphony" doesn't feel like a jarring interruption but rather a natural culmination of the film's emotional arc, showcasing a unique interplay between composed score and existing popular music.
Cook expressed keen interest in continuing his journey as a film composer, provided the projects offer fresh and inspiring creative opportunities. His prior work, characterized by increasingly lengthy and cinematic tracks, naturally led him towards film scoring. This experience with "The Moment" has evidently solidified his passion for the genre, suggesting that audiences can anticipate more of his distinctive contributions to the world of cinematic music in the future.