X (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

X (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2022 slasher film of the same name written, directed, produced and edited by Ti West, starring Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow, Owen Campbell, Stephen Ure and Scott Mescudi. The album featured an original score composed by Tyler Bates and Chelsea Wolfe which was released through A24 Music on March 25, 2022.

Development
X marked Bates' second collaboration with West after he previously worked with the latter on The Sacrament (2013). Bates said that the pair intended to "create a vocal-centric score framed with organic synthesizers and atmospheres that evoke a sonic aesthetic of '70s arthouse horror films". He then used the wakka wakka guitars as another substantial component to the score, that provided a propulsive element to the disturbing scenes. Wolfe, who had not soundtracked a film before, primarily contributed her voice to the score, and attempted to use non-singing sounds to emulate the character's emotions. Bates compared the score to that somewhere between that of Debbie Does Dallas and Rosemary's Baby.

Release
The soundtrack album was released on March 25, 2022, by A24 Music. It was preceded by a cover version of "Oui, Oui, Marie" performed by Wolfe, which was released as a digital single on March 11, 2022.

Additional music
The film incorporates a number of songs from the 1960s and 1970s, including "In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry, "Act Naturally" by Loretta Lynn, and "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult. Additionally, one scene in the film features Jackson (Scott Mescudi) and Bobby-Lynne (Brittany Snow) performing "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac, with the former playing acoustic guitar and the latter providing vocals.

Critical reception
Justin Lockwood of Bloody Disgusting wrote "Bates and Wolfe have created a unique musical tapestry befitting such a rich and unique cinematic experience." Matt Donato of /Film wrote "Tyler Bates and Chelsea Wolfe's disquieting score scampers with chaotic freneticism". Patrick Cavanaugh of ComicBook.com wrote "While Bates was able to lay a foundation to establish the mood and atmosphere of the picture by establishing an era-appropriate base level, Wolfe's more haunting and ethereal vocal contributions elevate the discordant elements of the score while never fully plunging us into darkness."