7/10

After releasing 'Lost Themes', his collection of unused film scores, at the end of 2014, film director John Carpenter saw a revitalised interest in his music. Going on to tour his music for the very first time, Carpenter saw that his music was a huge part of his career and thus returns to offer a sequel to that release. Unlike its predecessor, 'Lost Themes II' isn't primarily made up of unused soundtracks but more of a collection of ideas, making this release more of a cohesive album than simply a collection of older work.

From the start, it is classic Carpenter. The pounding beat and eerie synths of 'Distant Dream' set a precedent for what is about to come as the album unfolds itself into an array of retro-electro minimalism that his fans will absolutely adore. While they aren't connected to his movie work in any way, you can almost picture the images that would have gone with this music. Like watching a loading screen for an 80s arcade game, 'Lost Themes II' has this perfect balance of nostalgia and charm that is hard to pinpoint.

While it is at times quite formulaic in places, it does deliver a surprise or two, but what else would you expect from the Master Of Horror. Like his films, 'Lost Themes II' is dark, original, and unmistakably Carpenter.