There has been a resurgence in the popularity of movie soundtracks and Dumplin’, a recent Netflix picture, and Dolly Parton’s corresponding album, Dumplin’, are great examples of the synergy between audio and visual. The movie explores themes of female empowerment through pageantry, both traditional and of the drag variety. Half the soundtrack features Parton standards, such as “Two Doors Down” and “Jolene,” while the rest of the tunes are originals written for the movie. The record also features exciting collaborations with up-and-comers (Elle King), oddballs (Sia), and other pop stars (Miranda Lambert). “Holdin’ On to You” brings some boogie-woogie, “Girl in the Movies” covers the ballad, and “Here I Am” opens it all up with some powerful country-western reverberations. Dolly Parton continues to be force in both music and film and, as she says, “... this dumb blonde ain’t nobody’s fool.” For fans of Porter Wagoner, Kacey Musgraves, and Patsy Cline.
Sean Schultz is a lifelong musician who enjoys consuming popular culture. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, daughter and two dogs.
