New Moon scores 4/5

People are calling it the greatest soundtrack of the year.

The 'Twilight' soundtrack was good, featuring the likes of Paramore, Linkin Park, and Muse; but as the saga continues with New Moon, the music too has taken a dramatic turn. Boasting some of the best artists in alternative rock and folk, the sequel soundtrack is truly brilliant.

Sadly, many of the Twilight tween fanatics probably have no idea who most of these artists are; that Thom Yorke is the lead singer of Radiohead, Lykke Li is a renowned Swedish indie folk artist, and Bon Iver was one of the biggest folk artists to come out of the US last year. One would think for such a blockbuster of a film, the soundtrack would be filled with pop princesses and generic rockers. But the 'New Moon' music gurus thought differently, and boy, did they pick a great play list.

While New Yorkers, Hurricane Bells, Londoners, Band of Skulls, LA Arcade Fire-types, Sea Wolf, and San Diego-based indie songstress, Anya Marina might not have been high on your radar as of yet, they will be now. As for Grizzly Bear, OK GO, Editors, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, four of the most prominent bands in rock, their songs fit the 'New Moon' sound to the tee.

While you may never have heard of the above artists before the release of this compilation, there are some commercially well-known bands included on the play list sure to catch your attention. South Africa has seen both Muse and The Killers hit our stages, and while Muse's 'I Belong To You' remix is bound to be popular, it's fair to say that this song isn't true to the Muse sound, and is rather a modern, watered down version of Queen.

The Killers? track, 'A White Demon Love Song', seems too like a blast from the past, a song that, minus the synth and Brandon Flowers' distinctive voice, should have been recorded 20 years ago.

Death Cab For Cutie's theme song, 'Meet Me On The Equinox' was certainly a good choice for the single, but it?s hardly the best track on the album.

The real successes on this album are Lykke Li's 'Possibility', Anya Marina's 'Satellite Heart', Thom Yorke's, 'Hearing Damage' and Bon Iver & St. Vincent's 'Roslyn'. These songs will conjure up an atmosphere from nothing. They will touch you.

So, is it the greatest soundtrack of the year? There is simply nothing good enough to compare it to. It's that good.