Play List: Dry tone of sax reflects setting, character’s mental state

droning buzz establishes dread and anxiety. The film was shot in Australia, so I assumed the cacophonous sound was a manipulated didgeridoo, the indigenous Australian wind instrument. In actuality, it’s a saxophone played by young American Colin Stetson, who has contributed to recordings by well-known rock acts including Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, TV on the Radio and Bon Iver. Stetson has perfected a style of circular breathing that enables him to sustain long, droning notes from his instrument.

Much of the original music in “The Rover” was created by composer Antony Partos and Sam Petty, who is credited as “sound designer.” Both collaborated with Michôd on “Animal Kingdom,” a 2010 Australian crime drama.

The way their work helps Michôd establish mood mesmerizes. “The Rover” is set in Australia “after the collapse.” The dry tone of Stetson’s saxophone reflects the hot dusty setting as well as Eric’s state: sun-scorched, solitary, driven. As he takes on company, the tone changes subtly. His single-minded mission remains the same, but Rey’s presence provides context and depth. So Michôd applies different electronic sounds: the instrumental music of Chicago art-rock band Tortoise and two eerily beautiful pieces by William Basinski, the influential Houston-born ambient composer.

For contrast, “Do I Worry?,” by ’30s and ’40s vocal ensemble the Ink Spots, and the moving gospel tune “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” by Pattie, Frank and Odie Rosemon give the film a sense of its irretrievable past: They’re relics from the time decades before the collapse. Keri Hilson’s contemporary pop song “Pretty Girl” is jarringly modern, a comically lightweight cultural artifact from just before things went awry.

But more often the music of the film underscores its tone: It is wordless, light on melody and uncompromising. After a quiet opening, the volume spikes, at times to near the point of inducing a headache.

It possesses the rugged beauty of a lined face — one that has seen horrors. Like those horrors and like Eric’s mission, the film’s sound gets into your head. And it’s hard to shake.