I’ve come back to this album throughout my life—ever since I first saw Desperado as a kid in ’95. It was one of the first CDs I owned, and even then I knew the sounds here were somehow made just for me. Curated by Robert Rodriguez, it blends original score with handpicked tracks that move seamlessly between mariachi, soul funk, and sultry 90s rock—with bonus sexy vocals from Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek who star in the film.
My favorites shift depending on the season of life, but Six Blade Knife, Jack the Ripper, and Strange Face of Love always hit. The real magic is how the album flows—rare for a compilation—and how it doesn’t just take you back to the film but to a whole feeling: a dry, heat-warped afternoon in the frontera (Tijuana and Tecate come to mind) where everything feels slow, loud, and a little dangerous in the best way.
May 1, 2025
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I recently inherited my grandfather’s CD player and bought this CD at random, not having seen the film. I ended up listening to it every day for several months. It has everything: Angelo Badalamenti’s suspicious chords, grand orchestral parts, Nicolas Cage doing Elvis covers. There is a special thrill to the music being stationary - I can’t listen to it other places because the album doesn’t exist online. My apartment has become this music and the other way around.
1d ago
very broody, atmospheric, etherial and grimy. vocals are beautiful and raspy when we get them. also, the director of the movie worked on the soundtrack with his band which is cute.
Apr 15, 2024
not only is the movie wild and so over the top in a way that I loved, but the soundtrack is a sick blend of 80s genres like japanese new age ambient, new wave, synth pop, and city pop. gonna go on a bike ride and bump this later
Mar 15, 2024
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