Various Artists

24 Hour Party People and Trainspotting aside, the soundtracks to Britflicks over the past decade are somewhat lacking in distinction. However, the soundtrack to Shane Meadows’ This Is England deserves recognition for its ability to conjure up 1983 for those who weren’t even there by juxtaposing musical tribes of all sounds and colours. The film focuses on a group of racist skinheads, whose musical tastes ironically centred on reggae – Toots & The Maytals and Al Barry & The Cimarons soundtrack the film’s most powerful moments – while Gravenhurst’s ‘Nicole’ and Clayhill’s cover of The Smiths’ ‘Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want’ hint at the dark underbelly of Brit culture. Great film, great soundtrack.

Laura Snapes

8 out of 10