Macro/micro & Tommy Simpson release documentary film score

Los Angeles-based musician, producer and composer Tommy Simpson, who also performs under the moniker Macro/micro, has long been known for his ability to blur the lines between the outer world and the inner self through his immersive and experimental electronic music. His journey into the music sphere began with classical training in various instruments starting at just five years old. By the time he was thirteen, he was already writing and recording his own music, eventually evolving into the dynamic electronic artist we know today.

His music offers a a blend of IDM and experimental electronic styles, seeking to explore the deeper truths that lie within us, guiding listeners through dark soundscapes that ultimately lead to a sense of spiritual clarity. During his musical adventure, he’s released multiple albums and EPs as Macro/micro but also produced scores for film, TV, theatre and art installations. His time spent as an audio engineer for sonic pioneers like Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross has clearly left a lasting impression on his approach to music, as seen in his intricate and forward-thinking catalogue of work.

Now, he brings his talents to the world of documentary film scoring with his latest project, the soundtrack for the feature documentary Streets Loud With Echos, directed by Katerina Suvorova, a protégé of Werner Herzog. The documentary itself chronicles the last five years of political unrest and the civilian fight for police reform in Kazakhstan, where Suvorova hails from and where Tommy lived for several years. The film takes a humanistic approach, focusing on the members of Oyan Qazaqstan (“Wake Up, Kazakhstan” in English), a grassroots organisation of young politicians, journalists and activists. Through their stories, the film paints a vivid picture of a nation in turmoil, striving for change in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Spanning eleven tracks, the soundtrack blends elements of ambient, experimental electronic and IDM, offering a soundscape that’s at once cinematic and intimate. Unlike some of his previous works, which often ventured into darker, more abstract territory, the music for Streets Loud With Echos feels warmer, reflecting the human stories at the heart of the film.

Starting the release off with “Oyan,” a nod to the Oyan Qazaqstan movement, the film score drifts in with ethereal synth tones that gently swell as shimmering textures add sparkling sound to the arrangement which develops with hushed, grainy elements to craft a minimal piece of dreamy ambient music.

Watch the visuals for Oyan below

“Qazaqstan,” the new spelling of Kazakhstan, continues with the lush flow of hovering tones that gradually builds with the intricate twang of guitar and bass notes to form a mesmeric listening experience. “Balaclava” adds a steady rhythm with the march of pulses carrying the sound into an expansive composition of deep tones and immersive sound design.

Watch the visuals for Balaclava below

Other notable moments on the release include “Tenge” where eerie instrumental elements and glitching percussion cast a spacey and subtly intense sound. “Indiscriminate” delivers a crunching sound of rattling drum elements and lively synth flutters to move into a darker sonic setting. The final track, “Almaty,” the name of Kazakhstan’s largest city, is brought in by the swirling pulse of a heartbeat to reference the birth of Katerina’s first child which happened during filming.

Watch the visuals for Almaty below

Rising with the laid back patter of a lightly punching beat and hypnotic layers of gliding synths, the track brings the release back round to an optimistic and hopeful sound to provide a superb finale to the sensational new score from Macro/micro & Tommy Simpson.

Listen to Streets Loud With Echos (Original Score) below