The Fault in Our Stars [Soundtrack Review]

While audiences near and far are still weeping over the recent film adaptation of John Green's novel, the soundtrack for The Fault in Our Stars deserves separate recognition for its varied musical sounds, with talented singers and music artists showcasing their talents in the form of Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX, Birdy, Lykke Li, Tom Odell, Jake Bugg, Kodaline and many more. 

Progressing through the album in a rather whimsical fashion, the first track to catch our attention is the synth-pop stylings from Charli XCX, whose recently co-starred on music hit 'Fancy' with Iggy Azalea. Whilst she may be dominated the charts with 'Iggy Iggy', Charli XCX's 'Boom Clap' features Charli's deep vocals (in a similar style to Marina Diamandis, with whom she featured with on the track 'Just Desserts') echoing the title distinctively, and admittedly, in a rather catchy fashion. The track has a succinctly airy quality to it that is brought back down to its roots by the powerful drum and 'clap' beats. Overall, it's a welcome addition from the English recording artist and paves its way as a solid hit from the soundtrack. 

Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran's 'All Of The Stars' offers up a touching ballad that features some pretty melancholic piano accompaniment, and combined with the lyrics, this one will no doubt be a pretty big tearjerker for listeners. Featuring incredibly apt lyrics (which we won't repeat in case it spoils the movie for you) that can only be recommended to listen to after you have watched the film, Sheeran's track is possibly the most reflective song on the soundtrack, as it seems to encompass the essence of the movie in a sea of emotion (that is probably made from your tears, too). Whilst the melody is fairly simplistic, Sheeran's vocals are on point and as drawn out, soft and lasting than ever. Powerful stuff. 

Having already flexed her vocal chords for the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack, for which she recorded 'Possibility', Lykke Li is back and as haunting as ever on the soundtrack for The Fault in Our Stars. Her addition, 'No One Ever Loved', also sees Li taking firm use of the piano to compliment her soaring vocals (the sound of the beginning of the chorus reminds us of a little bit of 'The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face') and the effect is truly mesmerizing. The delicate piano vibe continues with the emotional and sullen 'Not About Angels', recorded by Birdy, which features some pretty isolate piano playing that just sets the mood of the track perfectly, with Birdy's voice quivering in places making it that more emotionally charged. 

Some of the lesser known - but still incredible - tracks from the album include STRFKR's electronic 'While I'm Alive', which is particularly funk-tastic, whilst Tom Odell's vocals on the resonant 'Long Way Down' make it worthy of a listen, and Kodaline's 'All I Want' is ready to tug at the heartstrings with its melancholic lyrics and overall depressive vibe (it really does sound like it is made for this particular type of film). 

Overall, The Fault in Our Stars soundtrack ranges from the deeply depressive and sob-enducing to the rather more upbeat and uplifting with Charli XCX's 'Boom Clap' being a welcome change in the tone of the soundtrack (after all, no body wants to spend the entire hour consistently crying through 15 tracks, do they?), and whilst for any other film most of the songs would seem inappropriate, for the film adaptation of John Green's novel, anything less would be a travesty.