First of all, if you haven’t watched Juno, you need to do that immediately. It’s one of the true indie classics. Ellen Page, Michael Cera, hilarious dialogue and truly touching awkwardness= WHAT MORE COULD ANYONE ASK FOR?! Whilst I could churn out a rave review of this weird and wonderful film, I’m actually just here to draw your attention to the wicked ass soundtrack that compliments it. It was one of my first soundtrack favourites. Before this, I believed that soundtracks were just a bunch of songs that made things a bit more sad or a bit more sweet. Little did I know that there are some soundtracks that can just exist alone without a film. This is effectively just a playlist of some awesome music, tailored to those that love films where the word ‘wizard’ is used frequently as an adjective. 

The film opens with that genius combo of Juno walking down the street drinking Sunny D and animations of cartoon drawings. Cue the sweet as pie “All I Want Is You” by Barry Louis Polisar. This pick is perfect if not just because of its utter randomness. Maybe you’d expect some more recent alternative opening song for a film about a girl obsessed with punk. But nay, because this soundtrack is filled with acoustic songs about weirdly besotted lovers. And do you know why? Because this is a film about two weirdly besotted lovers. Juno and Bleeker are the king and queen of awkward high school relationships and this soundtrack is a homage to that. 

Golden oldies are certainly not lacking here, with appearances from The Kinks (all hail), The Velvet Underground (we are not worthy) and Buddy Holly (no words needed). They are welcome classics and aptly accompany a film that features two truly old souls. “A Well Respected Man” is particularly wizard, because of the way it captures Bleeker’s odd lifestyle. Belle and Sebastian also have their moments, crooning their indie croons like only they know how. “Piazza, New York Catcher”, an absolute beauty, comes just as Juno’s stepmom sews stretchiness into Junos’s jeans. A memorable tidbit. 

Words must be said about Kimya Dawson, whose crazy lyrics are the true star of this soundtrack. She features a whopping 6 times on the album and never does it seem too much. My personal favourite is “Tire Swing” which fits this film so perfectly it may as well have been written for it. The song is a shining example of Dawson’s child-like voice delivering her idiosyncratic views on life. “If I’m a spinster for the feast of my life/My yarns will keep me warm on cold and lonely nights”. Wow. Another perfect song is “Tree Hugger” which describes the wants and desires of inanimate objects and has a French chorus. You’ve gotta love Kimya.

The film ends with Juno and Bleeker sitting on a wall singing “Anyone Else But You” by The Mouldy Peaches. Now I don’t know about you guys but this is probably one of the sweetest endings to a movie I’ve ever seen. And when you listen to the song it just gets better. The two singers both sound like they’re sleep singing and the lyrics are just so beautiful and weird. “I don’t see what anyone could see in anyone else but you.” Heart officially melted. 

Peace out bitches,

Emma xx