‘Empire’ Season 1 Soundtrack Review: Just As Strong As The Show

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple months, you’ve heard of the show Empire in some capacity. The critically acclaimed show shattered ratings and had the highest debut in three years. It also is the only series since Neilson started calculating viewers to increase it’s viewership every episode. The secret? Socially aware issues grounded in a musical series (which have become popular these days thanks to shows such as Glee). So, being that it is a musical show, naturally a soundtrack had to be released.

The original 11-track album, entitled Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire, was released on March 11, 2015 and debuted on the Billboard 100 at number one for the week of March 28. Featuring the most popular songs of the series, a guest list of superstars such as Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson and Juicy J – as well as executive producer Timbaland – the soundtrack matches the show’s mercurial rise in intensity. Here is the list of the songs on the album as well as their original episode it appears in:

“Good Enough,” feat. Jussie Smollett
 – “Pilot”
“What Is Love,” feat. V. Bozeman
 – “Pilot”
“No Apologies,” feat. Yazz and Jussie Smollett – “The Outspoken King”
“Keep It Movin’,” feat. Serayah McNeil and Yazz – “False Imposition”
“Walk Out On Me,” feat. Courtney Love 
-  “Our Dancing Days”
“Conqueror,” feat. Estelle and Jussie Smollett
 – “Unto the Breach”
“Remember The Music,” feat. Jennifer Hudson
 – “Sins of the Father”
“Shake Down,” feat. Mary J. Blige and Terrence Howard
 – “Sins of the Father”
“Power of the Empire,” feat. Yazz
 – Original song for the soundtrack
“Nothing To Lose,” feat. Jussie Smollett
 – ”Who I Am”
“Whatever Makes You Happy,” feat. Jennifer Hudson and Juicy J – “Who I Am”

Noticeably missing from the album is the Internet hit song “Drip, Drop.” The song, which originally debuted on the episode “Dangerous Bonds,” was all over social media due to its simple but incredibly catchy tune. However, it is only available on the deluxe version of the soundtrack. Released on the same day as the standard album, the deluxe version features seven additional tracks – including fan favorites “Money for Nothing,” “You’re So Beautiful” and the aforementioned “Drip Drop.”

As with many TV soundtrack albums, the album is a mixed bag of emotions. However, what I always liked about the show is that, unlike other musical shows, the songs are organic and they move the plot along, instead of just filler until the next scene. V. Bozeman on “What is Love” provides an outstanding job with her strong vocal capacity. Jussie Smollett proves that he could be a legitimate singer if Empire unpredictably combusts. Yazz, while young, has the charisma to make an impact as an actor, and “Drip Drop” is likely to end up on a radio somewhere over the summer as we anticipate season 2.

The album does have its weak points, “Power of the Empire” especially. “Keep it Movin” is another song that isn’t anything special. There isn’t anything particularly wrong with it on its own, but in comparison to a lot of the other songs, it is just okay.  However, thanks to Timbaland, a lot of bad apples are sorted out. As Empire finishes its first season, this should be able to hold those anticipating the next season of the show over.