Nicholas Britell’s haunting felt piano score defines Noah Baumbach’s *Jay Z* film
Composer Nicholas Britell has crafted the score for Jay Z, the latest film directed by Noah Baumbach. Known for his long-standing collaboration with Barry Jenkins, Britell won the Composer Award at the Montclair Film Festival 2025 for this work. The music plays a central role in the film, with Baumbach insisting it function almost like a character itself.
Britell chose a felt piano as the score’s emotional core, shaping its sound to mirror the film’s protagonist. The instrument’s muted, textured tones became a stand-in for Jay Z’s introspective moments. To deepen this effect, he recorded the entire score to analogue tape, matching the film’s historic recording techniques.
The score’s unique approach—analogue warmth, reversed melodies, and the felt piano’s intimacy—gives Jay Z a distinctive sonic identity. Britell’s techniques not only support the story but also make the music an active part of it. The result is a soundtrack that lingers, much like the memories it evokes.
