Music Review: Luke Cage Original Soundtrack (Marvel/Netflix, 2016)

One of the best parts of Marvel's Luke Cage is the music. Many episodes start with musical acts performing at Harlem's Paradise, the show's fictional night club. Add to it an amazing score by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and you have a soundtrack that beautifully compliments the show.

Marvel and Netflix recently released the soundtrack to the show. While it served as the background to my work day once or twice, I have to say that it was a bit disappointing overall. To clarify, nothing on the soundtrack is disappointing. Every track is perfectly written and performed, and I thought about their corresponding scenes as I listened. Method Man performs Bulletproof Love, and original track for the show which I can not get enough of. Unfortunately, that's the only vocal performance on the album.


The show was filled with brilliant stage performances from amazing singers and bands. I don't know if those were expensive as far as rights go or if there is an additional album planned, but these songs made the show at times. I would definitely like to see more from Marvel on this. Pay the musicians, and put a second album out. For now, though, enjoy the magical score and Method Man. This soundtrack is definitely worth your time.