Album Review: T2 Trainspotting OST - Various Artists

Following up one of the films of the ’90s is one thing, but following up the best soundtrack of that decade is another matter entirely. Danny Boyle’s original adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s first novel not only made superstars out of its young Scottish cast, but propelled Underworld from the underground to crossover ubiquity, as an entire generation shouted “lager, lager, lager” on every dance floor. It also resurrected Iggy Pop’s career.
The T2 Trainspotting OST opens with a nod to its predecessor, with The Prodigy doing a crunchy electro makeover of ‘Lust for Life’. Then it’s time for two relatively lesser-known acts to take the spotlight: Underworld associate High Contrast, who helped select music for Danny Boyle’s Olympic opening ceremony in 2012; and London alt-rock quartet Wolf Alice, who contribute the epic tear-jerker ‘Silk’, which richly deserves to be a huge hit. 
Danny Boyle has said the three contributions from Young Fathers, the Mercury Prize winning multi-ethic band from Irvine Welsh’s Leith, are the lifeblood of T2 Trainspotting. He’s not wrong – ‘Get Up’ and ‘Rise and Shine’ soundtrack stunning scenes in the sequel of the decade.
 A somewhat surprising Irish inclusion comes from the Rubberbandits’ ‘Dad’s Best Friend’, – but it makes a lot of sense in the context of the movie. There’s also room for Blondie, Queen, The Clash and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
It could have been a car crash, but the soundtrack to T2 Trainspotting is an absolute triumph. 

Read our review of the movie T2 Trainspotting:
T2Trainspotting