IDLES Create Soundtrack and New Songs for Darren Aronofsky’s Film ‘Caught Stealing’

IDLES bring their fierce energy to Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Caught Stealing’ with a gripping score and four fresh tracks, including a standout cover.

IDLES’ Exciting New Musical Venture

IDLES, the British band known for their raw and energetic sound, have taken an exciting leap into film music. They've recorded four brand-new songs along with the full soundtrack for the upcoming movie Caught Stealing, directed by the acclaimed Darren Aronofsky. The film is set to hit U.S. theaters on August 29, with the soundtrack releasing digitally the same day through Partisan Records.

One of the standout tracks from this release is “Rabbit Run,” which is already out and making waves. The band also offers a captivating cover of Junior Marvin’s classic “Police and Thieves,” famously introduced to rock audiences by The Clash in their 1977 debut album.

About ‘Caught Stealing’ and Its Star-Studded Cast

The film Caught Stealing features Austin Butler as a former high school baseball star who finds himself tangled with New York gangsters. The ensemble cast includes notable names like Zoe Kravitz, Regina King, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Benito Martínez Ocasio, and Carol Kane.

Beyond their signature songs, IDLES also performed the film’s score composed by Rob Simonsen. This collaboration blends the band’s distinctive punk energy with cinematic scoring, creating an innovative musical experience.

A Chance Meeting Sparks a Dream Collaboration

Frontman Joe Talbot shared the story behind this musical project:

“This has been a huge opportunity for us that seemingly came about after a chance meeting backstage at Fallon when we both happened to be guests on the same day. But in hindsight, I realize that Darren is one of my favorite directors and his films have in some ways made me who I am as an artist. This lucid dream has been a lifetime in the making and one that I will live over and over with a huge sense of humility and joy.”

The quote captures the deep respect and excitement IDLES have for Aronofsky’s work and the unique chance to contribute creatively to his film.

Director Aronofsky’s Vision for the Score

Darren Aronofsky expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration:

“I built Caught Stealing to be a roller coaster of fun and wanted to supercharge the film by main lining a punk sensibility. I don’t think a band has really been tasked with performing a score for a movie. Who better to collaborate with than IDLES? It has been a dream watching them bend their notes to blast a hole in our movie screen.”

Aronofsky’s vision was to inject a raw, punk spirit into the film’s music, and IDLES proved to be the perfect fit for this boundary-pushing approach.

Composer Rob Simonsen on Working with IDLES

Rob Simonsen, who composed the score, shared his insights on the unique collaboration:

“I was really excited by the idea that Darren had for our third project together, which was to write a score for IDLES, using them as our orchestra. They had created original songs for the film, and building a palette that started from their sound – the incredible textures they create through inventive use of feedback, distortion and pedals – was a really satisfying challenge. Our work with the band was genuinely inspiring. They’re not only extraordinarily talented musicians, but individuals with clear eyes, big hearts and bold souls.”

This partnership led to a score that pushes creative boundaries by blending cinematic scoring with punk music's gritty textures.

Upcoming Shows and Tours

Fans of IDLES have reasons to celebrate beyond the soundtrack release. The band will be playing their biggest hometown shows yet on August 1 and 2 at Queens Square in Bristol, England. Following this, they’ll be joining forces with Deftones and My Chemical Romance for a series of North American shows in September, promising a high-energy live experience.

Essential Tracks to Know

• “Rabbit Run” – leading track from the new soundtrack
• Cover of “Police and Thieves” – a nod to rock history with a fresh IDLES twist

These tracks showcase the band’s ability to blend punk aggression with cinematic atmosphere, making the soundtrack a must-listen.

IDLES bring their high-octane live energy to every show, now amplified by their film score work.

Final Thoughts

Isn’t it thrilling to see a band like IDLES challenge the norms by scoring a film? Their collaboration with Aronofsky on Caught Stealing promises a fresh, electrifying soundtrack that’s as much a part of the story as the actors themselves. If you’re a fan of boundary-breaking music and film, this one’s going to hit the right notes.

FAQs

• What songs did IDLES record for Caught Stealing?
  IDLES recorded four new songs, including “Rabbit Run,” and a cover of Junior Marvin’s “Police and Thieves,” alongside performing the film score.
• When is the soundtrack releasing?
  The soundtrack launches digitally on August 29, the same day as the film’s U.S. theatrical release.
• Who stars in Caught Stealing?
  The film features Austin Butler, Zoe Kravitz, Regina King, Matt Smith, and several other prominent actors.
• How did the collaboration between IDLES and Darren Aronofsky begin?
  It started after a chance backstage meeting on a talk show, leading to a dream project for the band and the director.
• Will IDLES be touring soon?
  Yes, they have hometown shows in Bristol on August 1-2 and will support Deftones and My Chemical Romance in North America during September.

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