Indie studio giant A24 is going all in on its new musical-horror film, Opus. Starring John Malkovich, the film follows Malkovich as a pop star icon who reemerges after 30 years to invite a journalist (Ayo Edebiri) to his compound for new music. A24 Music and Malkovich play into the fictional musical star of the film, Alfred Moretti, by releasing a three-track EP, Opus: The Moretti, to lead into the film.
Marking his official musical debut as a vocalist, John Malkovich performs all three tracks in tone with the film's mysterious Alfred Moretti. Produced and written by Nile Rodgers and The Dream, the project displays pure creativity and utter decay of a pop star in rebirth.
The opening track, "Dina, Simone" showcases Malkovich in a way the world isn't used to seeing. "Dina, Simone" calls back to the era of the 90s Michael Jackson-ish funk pop style. With a wailing guitar riff, the track gives a haunting view into the psyche of such a performance. The title of the track loops on background vocals that, by the song's end, you can't help but join in the chanting.
The second track, "35mm," is a heart-pumping thriller. Like something straight out of dark pop, Malkovich dives into the basis of Moretti's vision. Malkovich invites listeners to gather on the dance floor in such a commanding tone underneath the heavy bass, further showing the dark twisted themes. No matter how much you would like to avoid it, no one escapes Moretti.
In the closing track, slow ballad "Tomorrow," Malkovich shows reflection and maybe hope for the future. Different than the previous hyper dark pop tracks, "Tomorrow" gives pause to the listeners. Quick and precise in its production, Rodgers releases it all as Malkovich soaks up the beat.
While many might write off the EP as just one of A24's trademark funny film companions like Marcel the Shell, Opus: The Moretti is something different. It's perfect in its storytelling but still manages to convey what the upcoming film is all about. Despite being his first foray into the musical space, John Malkovich, with the help of Rodgers and The Dream, crafts a masterful pop EP with all the right machinery.
Opus: The Moretti is out now on all DSPs.
