Dallas Buyers Club (soundtrack)

The film does not have an original score, but featured several songs played throughout the film. The official soundtrack was announced on October 16, 2013, featuring 16 original and incorporated songs in the album.[3] It was announced for a digital and physical release on October 30, 2013, with pre-orders beginning through Amazon.com and iTunes.[2][4] On the same date, the first song "Shudder to Think" performed by Tegan and Sara was released. Rolling Stone wrote that the band "combine dreamy synths with reflective lyrics on the effervescent track, musing on the chances not taken and the prospect of a life without someone special".[5] They also performed the track at the European tour in November 2013.[5] On October 25, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter released the track "Romance Languages" performed by Cold War Kids.[6] It was announced that 40 cents of every sale of album at iTunes would go to the AIDS relief charity Project Red's Global Fund.[7] The vinyl edition of the soundtrack was released in March 2014.[8]

Film music not included in the album

New Noise Magazines Joseph Tucker said, "The score on this record is incredibly diverse and of equally incredible quality, unlike so many others. Pick this up before or after you go and see Dallas Buyers Club."[11] Matt of Homo Razzi said about the album, "Overall this soundtrack has a little bit of everything and it works perfectly, mirroring some of the themes, emotions and moments of the film."[12] Stephanie Ochona reviewed for Renowned for Sound and gave the soundtrack 4.5 out of 5 ratings, she said, "Set in the 80s where drugs and other experimentation was all the rage, music plays a big factor in the entire atmosphere of the movie. The soundtrack includes a diverse group of artists, from country stars, indie icons and modern rockers. All the songs featured help bring out the kind of mood a movie like Dallas Buyers Club is." Ochona also said that, "Without such an accurate soundtrack, the film wouldn't have made such a big impact, and both the visual and aural aspects work together to create a beautiful story of a man fighting for the right to live his life."[13]

Music critic Green Baron reviewed the music for Sputnikmusic, and said: "Dallas Buyers Club itself was a breathtaking motion picture driven by the extraordinary performances from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. Its accompanying soundtrack, however, is less than satisfying. Filled to the brim with lifeless, stale indie-rock tracks, the supporting album to one of the year's most gripping films is a complete waste of talent and potential." Baron thought that Dallas Buyers Club was saved by a few excellent songs, which were "Ready to Be Called On", "After the Scripture", and "City of Angels". He said that, "Overall, the Dallas Buyers Club soundtrack is one that really isn't worth your time or money. Aside from three superb songs, the whole album is a collection of drab indie pop/rock that ultimately falls flat due to its lack of memorability."[14]