Big Little Lies [Original TV Soundtrack]

Personnel: Jean-Sebastien Chouinard (guitar); Alex McMahon (organ); Jean-Phi Goncalves (drums); Catherine Major, Dawn Cumberbatch, Marie-Christine Depestre (background vocals).
A diverse collection of songs, at least on paper, representing retro-soul, art pop, folk, and more, Big Little Lies [Music from the HBO Limited Series] features music from the acclaimed miniseries about three mothers in Monterey, California. The well-curated set of 14 tunes hits on a consistent atmosphere, though, in the manner of Twin Peaks but earthier. It includes contemporary soul artists like Leon Bridges and Charles Bradley (who appears twice), folkier entries from Martha Wainwright and Villagers, Alabama Shakes, an atmospheric piano instrumental from Agnes Obel ("September Song"), and Ituana's smooth bossa version of the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Stylishly poignant, the collection works just fine without the show's context as well as on shuffle play. ~ Marcy Donelson