Hi! I'm new too. So this really depends on what your tastes are but I can definitely think of a lot of unique scores (for films but also TV/games).
Some of my favourites that spring to mind immediately: anything by the wonderful Bruno Coulais. If you feel like a world music element, go for Himalaya: The Rearing of a Chief or Don Juan. He works especially well with vocals and Les Choristes is just beautiful. Also his work on nature documentary films is particularly unique.
If you like the sound of American Beauty, I might recommend Thomas Newman's other work on Passengers, which has a more subdued experimental sound but with some of the sombre prettiness of American Beauty.
You could try Martin Phipps. He scores British shows mostly and his War and Peace or Virgin Queen are brilliant and I am not sure I could compare them to much else.
Would you be interested in more electronic sounds? Possibly you would like the Social Network soundtrack. Also Arrival by Jóhann Jóhannsson.
Yeah to be honest it depends where your tastes lie but there are definitely many more unique sounding soundtracks that aren't your typical orchestral sound!
Originality is hard to finds these days. As opposed to the other Carter Burwell score this year (WONDERSTRUCK) this one hit my ears like a winter rain - I came out refreshed. Which makes sense Carter Burwell , like Silvestri and Zemeckiis, only does extraordinary work for the fellows who first discovered him - the Coen Brothers. They produced 3 BILLBOARDS and this actually feels like a Coen Brothers film.
First off, thank you everyone for being so fast on this forum.
idril, The Social Network, Arrival and Passengers are great soundtracks. We think alike. You've mentioned a few I've not heard of that I'll check out for sure. I'm happy to hear orchestral scores but just not the usual droning cello and jump scare violins and atonal brass/violin combos that we are inundated with these days.
Morricone, I didn't think of the score to Three Billboards but that movie is #1 on my must see list for the trailer alone.
Lokutus, This is awesome. An orchestral score with class and using different sounds to make it. Not unlike Brian Reitzel and his Hannibal and 30 Days of Night work.
Any more suggestions of any kind (electronic, orchestral, pots and pans, etc) I'm all ears (I apologize for that last line, haha)
As an aside, I didn't check the box to be notified of responses to this post when I created it and now can't seem to find a way to activate that function. If thats possible please Let me know. If not, I'm okay with checking in regularly.
If you're into moody orchestra that's unique, give this a try.. Loose didn't compose many scores, this being very atmospheric orchestra lots of percussions, its my favourite by Loose, outstanding score.
