Dirty Projectors’ David Longstreth Announces Soundtrack Album – Legend of Ochi

David Longstreth, the famed leader of the indie rock band Dirty Projectors, embarks on a new artistic journey with his first film score for the upcoming A24 film, The Legend of Ochi. This foray into film music marks a significant shift from his usual musical endeavors and introduces listeners to a unique soundscape aligned with the film's mystical storyline. The movie is directed by Isaiah Saxon, another innovative voice in the creative arts community, and is set to be released with much anticipation both digitally and in select theaters nationwide on April 25, 2025.

The soundtrack to The Legend of Ochi is released under A24 Music, encapsulating an array of emotions and textures befitting the film's narrative. This album features 32 tracks composed primarily in an orchestral vein, demonstrating Longstreth's versatility as a composer. However, it also includes a standout Dirty Projectors track, “Through the Long and Lonely Night,” which brings a familiar touch to the otherwise singular orchestral experience. The integration of this song offers a fusion of Longstreth's known indie rock inspirations with a more cinematic orchestral arrangement, allowing novices and aficionados alike to appreciate his expanding musical repertoire.

The film's narrative, set in a remote Carpathian village, revolves around the character Yuri, a farm girl entangled in a quest involving an elusive species known as Ochi. This coming-of-age story propels Yuri from fear to bravery as she rescues and seeks to return a wounded baby Ochi to its rightful home. This thematic journey is reflected musically through tracks like “The Dawn of Yuri's Quest” and “Yuri and Young Ochi Reunion,” which capture the evolution of her character's resolve and determination. The score's emotionally rich compositions align perfectly with the film's setting and plot, intensifying the storytelling with each musical cue.

With the movie premiering at the Sundance Festival, its reception was bolstered by performances from some top-tier actors, including Willem Dafoe, Finn Wolfhard, Helena Zengel, and Emily Watson. Their collective talents enhance the film, providing depth and gravity to the roles they inhabit. The emotional weight each actor brings is echoed in Longstreth's score, weaving a soundscape that supports their performances while elevating the cinematic experience. Key pieces like “Joy, Pain, Excitement, Fear” and “The Showdown” are examples of Longstreth’s ability to convey the film's emotional spectrum through music, creating a gripping auditory experience.

The release strategy for the soundtrack includes pre-order options and early streaming of specific tracks, such as “Prelude,” “The Pond,” and “The River.” These releases give audiences a taste of the score’s dynamism and thematic melodies, which underpin the fantasy-driven narrative. The music’s availability across platforms like Amazon and other streaming services ensures that it reaches a wide audience, potentially attracting both cinema-goers and music enthusiasts.

This score marks a pivotal moment in Longstreth’s career, showcasing his capability to transcend genre boundaries and explore film scoring with the same creativity and ambition that characterized his previous works with Dirty Projectors. By scoring The Legend of Ochi, Longstreth not only broadens his artistic horizons but also contributes to a growing legacy of musicians who successfully transition into the film industry, adding their unique voices to the cinematic orchestration.