keeping ’track

Sound choices for movie musos…

THE GRINCH RRP TBC various retailers

Does Christmas mean more than ribbons and tags? Yes: for Illumination’s animation, it means two must-hear soundtrack albums. Eighteen years after James Horner’s frisky score for Ron Howard’s take, Danny Elfman – no stranger to snowy whimsy – takes the scoring reins. A compilation album, meanwhile, promises new songs from hip-hop maverick Tyler, The Creator. What, no ‘Blow My Load’?

MARY POPPINS RETURNS RRP TBC various retailers

Poppins’ return shouldn’t be a toad in the bed of the original’s fans. Emily Blunt’s range dazzled in director Rob Marshall’s last musical,

Into The Woods, while co-star Lin-Manuel Miranda bodes well – he isn’t composing, but the Moana/Hamilton song-man’s presence adds pedigree. Hairspray music-men Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are also on hand to give this old kite new wings.