Nyad (soundtrack)

Nyad (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) is the soundtrack to the 2023 sports drama film of the same name directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. The film's music provided by Alexandre Desplat, featured 17 cues from his score with an original song "Find a Way" by Jade Bird, preceded as the lead single on November 1.^[1] The soundtrack itself was released two days later, that coincided the theatrical release.^[2]

Nyad (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)
Film score by Alexandre Desplat
Released	November 3, 2023
Genre	Film score
Length	58:10
Label	Netflix Music
Producer	Alexandre Desplat
Alexandre Desplat chronology
The Palace (2023) Nyad (2023) The Boys in the Boat (2023)
Singles from Nyad (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)
"Find a Way" Released: November 1, 2023

Background

In August 2023, Alexandre Desplat was announced to score music for the film.^[3] He did not want the score to be overwhelming as it would have killed the reality of Nyad's life and her experiences.^[4][5] Following an organic approach of writing the film's music, he also appreciated Vasarhelyi and Chin's direction being "strong" and allowing the audiences to share the dangers and emotions that Nyad faces. Vasarhelyi wanted the score to explore the internal landscape of her mind which Desplat did, and further added a layer of restraint to the act, that felt so outrageous.^[3]

Desplat wrote two themes for Nyad: the first being a "bright, rising tune" with electric guitar and flute to "make us feel who she is" and not to be a sophisticated melody with changes in chords, instead should be easy to grasp and being clear as it conveys the immense challenge she sets before herself. While the second theme, is about the sexual trauma she experienced as a child that appears in flashback. At that point, the tune becomes more mysterious and rhythmic, with flutes playing over guitar, two dark chords and timpani as "The music has to bring out who she is, and how she suffers, how she dreams, when she has delirium, what has traumatized her when she was a child".^[4]

Track listing

No.	Title	Artist(s)	Length
1.	"Find a Way"	Jade Bird	3:11
2.	"Young Diana"		3:21
3.	"Diana"		2:59
4.	"Shark Plan"		1:27
5.	"Pier Chat"		2:09
6.	"Team NYAD"		4:15
7.	"Fighting the Waves"		5:41
8.	"Second Attempt"		2:20
9.	"Jellyfish Attack"		4:16
10.	"Race Flashback"		4:22
11.	"Sand from the Sahara"		3:04
12.	"From Miami to Cuba"		1:38
13.	"The Storm"		2:47
14.	"Bonnie Leaves"		2:38
15.	"Pool Training"		1:55
16.	"The Stream"		2:58
17.	"Lights on the Horizon"		2:46
18.	"Florida"		6:23
Total length:			58:10

Reception

Isabella Soares of Collider commented that Desplat's score perfectly complimented the emotional moments, while further adding "This story is about triumph and exceeding expectations and the composer expertly evoke this in the viewer whenever a swimming sequence takes place. From Nyad's most terrifying encounters in the water (like an unnerving jellyfish event) to her being just a few miles away from getting to Florida's shore, the score accompanies these shots perfectly, with pauses now and then to gain momentum."^[6] Peter Travers of ABC News wrote "composer Alexandre Desplat propel the action at a furious clip".^[7] Below the Line critic Edward Douglas wrote "Nyad's biggest outright ringer is Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat, who knows how to create the right balance between inspiring orchestral fireworks and helping to create the necessary tension on whether Nyad might succeed. To some, this might be one of Desplat’s more heavy-handed scores, yet it still generally works."^[8] Rex Reed of Observer described it as "magnetic".^[9]

Accolades

Award	Date of Ceremony	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref
Hollywood Music in Media Awards	November 15, 2023	Original Score — Feature Film	Alexandre Desplat	Nominated	[10] [11]

References

1. "Listen to the Linda Perry and Jade Bird Song 'Find a Way' from 'NYAD'". Netflix Tudum. November 1, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
2. "'Nyad' Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
3. Tangcay, Jazz (August 29, 2023). "'Grand Budapest' and 'Shape of Water' Oscar Winner Alexandre Desplat Composed Netflix's 'Nyad' Score (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
4. Greiving, Tim (November 14, 2023). "Playful and profound, three film scores all help find the truth of the story". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
5. Fleming, Ryan (October 19, 2023). "'Nyad' Composer Alexandre Desplat Scores The Journey Of A Fearless Woman Achieving Her Dream – Listen To Exclusive First Track "Florida"". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
6. Soares, Isabella (September 18, 2023). "'Nyad' Review — Annette Bening and Jodie Foster Swim To Crowd-Pleasing Depths". Collider. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
7. Travers, Peter (October 20, 2023). "Review: You'll cheer like crazy after seeing 'Nyad'". ABC News. American Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
8. Douglas, Edward (September 18, 2023). "TIFF Review: NYAD Offers a Bold, Inspiring Story of Woman vs. Nature". Below the Line. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
9. "If There's Any Justice, 'NYAD' Will Be Remembered When Awards Season Rolls Around". Observer. October 23, 2023. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
10. Grein, Paul (November 2, 2023). "Songs from 'Barbie' Pace 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations (Full List)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
11. Brew, Caroline (November 2, 2023). "Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo Nominated for 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.