When Horror Films Become Sonic Experiences
There’s something deeply satisfying about the resurgence of vinyl culture colliding with contemporary filmmaking. The announcement that The Backrooms soundtrack will be pressed to vinyl this August isn’t just another nostalgic release – it’s a statement about how seriously we’re now taking film scores as standalone artistic achievements.
The A24 horror sensation has already proven itself a cultural juggernaut, racking up £87.5 million globally during its opening weekend alone. But beyond the box office numbers lies something far more interesting: a film that understands atmosphere is everything. And now, director Kane Parsons and composer Edo Van Breemen’s eerie score gets to exist in a format that demands you sit down and listen.
A Composition Built for Dread
The 2LP release arriving this August features an ambitious 20-track arrangement that reads like a journey through psychological unease. Tracks with titles like “Quiet Wall in Dark Room,” “Basement Land,” and “Feeling of a Door Imminently Remembered” suggest a compositional approach that prioritises mood and disorientation over traditional narrative structure.
Van Breemen’s previous work on The Monkey and Keeper already signalled his ability to craft unsettling soundscapes, but pairing with Parsons – a 20-year-old director already shaping horror’s aesthetic – creates something distinctly modern. The influence of Boards of Canada, which Parsons has cited as inspiration, bleeds through even in the titles: abstract, slightly alienating, deeply hypnotic.
The Boards of Canada Connection
Perhaps most intriguingly, the film’s credits featured “The Word Becomes Flesh” from Boards of Canada’s new album Inferno, which dropped the same day as the film. The Scottish duo’s first album in thirteen years is a watershed moment in electronic music, and its presence in The Backrooms feels almost inevitable – both the film and the album traffic in the same unsettling, liminal-space aesthetics.
What’s notable here is that the vinyl release doesn’t include the Boards of Canada track. This creates an interesting decision for completists: to truly own the full sonic experience of the film, you’ll need both this soundtrack and their new album. It’s a clever bit of cross-promotion that also highlights how the film and music industry are increasingly intertwined.
Why Vinyl Matters Right Now
The decision to press a film score on vinyl in 2026 might seem anachronistic, but it’s actually quite strategic. Vinyl’s resurgence has created a market where collectors actively seek out thematic and conceptual releases. A double LP format gives the Backrooms score the weight and presence it deserves – this isn’t background music or a streaming afterthought. It’s a curated experience designed for sustained listening.
For a film that deliberately avoids traditional exposition and instead leans into what Parsons calls “vibes-based momentum,” having a vinyl release acknowledges that the score does the same heavy lifting. The music isn’t there to explain the narrative; it’s there to make you feel the dislocation, the creeping wrongness of stepping into spaces that shouldn’t exist.
Looking Ahead: Film Soundtracks as Collector’s Items
The vinyl release of The Backrooms soundtrack reflects a broader trend: major film scores are now getting the same treatment as studio albums, complete with pre-order campaigns and limited pressing strategies. In an era where streaming dominates, there’s something rebellious about choosing to experience a score the way it was mixed – as a complete statement, side by side, without algorithmic interruption.
For collectors who’ve been following Parsons’ career trajectory or those intrigued by the film’s cultural impact, August 2026 is shaping up to be significant. This is more than a vinyl release; it’s a validation that film scores deserve a seat at the table alongside traditional music releases.
The Backrooms soundtrack 2LP is available to pre-order now, with an expected August 2026 delivery.
