Sam Phillips has released nine albums between 1988 and 2019, but she is most known for being the voice behind the show’s iconic “la la la”s. Whilst songs from her album A Boot and a Shoe feature original songs used in Gilmore Girls, this is the first time that the official Gilmore Girls soundtrack has been available. With the show’s popularity resurfacing every autumn, the timing of this release both pleases life-long fans, and ensures that Stars Hollow’s charm will continue to be discovered.
The album as a whole is perfect for creating autumnal ambience. Its easy and warming melodies make a great soundtrack for studying, reading, or simply romanticising your life as Rory Gilmore would. There are five suites on the album, comprising shorter, self-contained scores, which naturally feel a little disjointed when listening to them as standalone songs. However, the album as a whole evokes the small-town whimsy that fans have been craving since the end of the show.
Many of the tracks work as standalone songs, particularly the songs that feature on Phillip’s existing albums. It is these songs that have lyrics, rather than just the “la la la”s or “ba ba ba”s. ‘Reflecting Light’ demonstrates Phillips’ beautiful lyricism; her voice compliments her words perfectly. ‘If I Could Write’, my personal favourite, is a beautiful song worthy of a place on any cosy autumn or winter playlist. The songs blend well with the whole soundtrack (the chords in ‘If I Could Write’ are heard in ‘Luke’s Window’), creating a continuity across the album that ties Phillips’ own songwriting flair to the wider score.
Some of the “la la la”s that stood out to me were ‘How Much Longer’ and ‘Watching’. These were particularly poignant tracks, heavy with the nostalgia that so many of us return to Gilmore Girls for. The softness yet sureness of Phillips’ voice with her guitar in these tracks capture everything I love about the show and this album.
Whilst I discovered Sam Phillips through Gilmore Girls, ‘If I Could Write’ became a favourite song of mine when I was fifteen, and converted me into a Phillips fan rather than just a Gilmore Girls fan. The release of this soundtrack will hopefully introduce others to her wider discography, as there are so many songs to explore and lose yourself in.