Brad Pitt's F1 album races ahead with its music. Here's why it deserves a spotlight

India Today

01-07-2025

Brad Pitt's 'F1: The Movie' is already making noise for all the right reasons - gripping performances, stunning visuals, and a tightly packed screenplay. But if there's one element that deserves a solo lap of honour, it's the music album. Packed with high-energy tracks and backed by none other than Hans Zimmer's powerful background score, 'F1: The Album' is a full-blown experience in itself.advertisementReleased alongside the film on June 27, this 17-track album is not just an add-on, it's the fuel that powers the emotional and adrenaline-pumped scenes in the movie.F1: The Movie's music blends global sounds, heart-thumping beats, and lyrical stories that echo the spirit of racing: high-speed, high-stakes, and full of heart.Mindblown from the first beat
The ride kicks off with 'Lose My Mind' by Don Toliver featuring Doja Cat - an electrifying first single that sets the tone for the entire album. Its placement in the racing drama is so picture-perfect, it leaves viewers on the edge of their seats as the track blares on screen.It's the kind of track that makes you want to tighten your seatbelt even before the engines rev.Released ahead of the film (April 30), this song comes with slick visuals and the kind of trap-pop fusion that fits perfectly with the rush of the F1 world. Don and Doja's energy matches the film's opening momentum, and it's no surprise that the song quickly caught fire with fans.advertisementWatch the song video here: 'Messy' waves: BLACKPINK's Rose makes her markThen comes a surprising shift in gear with 'Messy', sung by K-pop star Rose. Debuting at the Miami Grand Prix and officially unveiled at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix (Italy), this one's sultry yet smooth, base-driven and moody in the best way.Notably, it's Rose's first official single since her solo debut, and she doesn't miss. The song mirrors the emotional dips in the film, especially during Sonny Hayes' (fictional F1 driver played by Brad Pitt) inner conflicts, and it adds a cool, contemporary edge to the soundtrack.A super-group for end creditsThen came the news drop: Ed Sheeran's 'Drive', a rock-tinged anthem built for Sonny Hayes's final throttle run.Released just days before the film, the song captures the emotional peak of the movie.It's not just Ed here, he ropes in John Mayer on guitars and Dave Grohl on drums. The result? A rock-leaning anthem that hits just as hard as the film's climax. It feels like that final lap where everything's on the line - and it delivers, both musically and emotionally.Interestingly, with 'Drive', Ed sheds his soft-boy image and dives into the rock music zone, delivering an adrenaline-pumping track accompanied by slick visuals in the official music video.advertisementWatch the music video of 'Drive' here: Layered beats and some genre flexThe album doesn't stop there. Tracks like Tate McRae's 'Just Keep Watching' and Myke Towers' 'Baja California' add a pop and Latin flair, bringing a global texture to the album.Meanwhile, Roddy Ricch's 'Underdog' and Chris Stapleton's 'Bad As I Used To Be' fit right into the comeback arc of Pitt's character. There's grit, vulnerability, and just enough edge to give the movie its emotional backbone.There's also no shortage of high-energy, party-ready beats. 'OMG!' by Tiesto and Sexyy Red, and 'D.A.N.C.E.' by Peggy Gou turn up the heat with club-style drops that could easily play at an afterparty.Add to that the mix of fresh voices like PAWSA, Mr Eazi, Darkoo, and Obongjayar, and the album feels young, inclusive, and dynamic.Watch the video of 'Just Keep Watching' here: Hans Zimmer's pulseTying all of this together is Hans Zimmer's original score, which gives the film its beating heart.Known for his larger-than-life orchestral pieces, Zimmer here takes a slightly different route: layering electronic textures with emotional swells that follow Sonny Hayes's journey on and off the track.advertisementWhether it's a high-stakes overtake or a quiet conversation between rivals, Zimmer's music plays like an invisible co-driver, guiding the emotion in every scene.What makes 'F1: The Album' stand out is its balance. Rather than being just another sloppy mix, it is a grand prix lineup that accelerates the film - even outside the theatre, inside your mind. For a long, long time.Every track, whether a chartbuster or an instrumental, plays a role in amplifying the film's narrative. And that's where the magic lies.For a film that's all about speed, pressure, and redemption, this album does more than just keep up - it races ahead. And if you ask us, it deserves a podium finish of its own.- Ends