With the release of the highly anticipated second segment of the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire, fans and movie-goers listened to the soundtrack in hopes that it would capture all the intense emotion that is portrayed by the storyline. Fortunately, our hopes were fulfilled through 15 different songs with a range of sounds fit to please all.

A great range of artists and bands are included on the soundtrack, such as the well-known Imagine Dragons, Christina Aguilera, Ellie Goulding and Lorde. It makes sense that such a big movie would have very popular artists writing songs for it. However, there are also titles by artists such as Patti Smith and Santigold, who some may or may not be familiar with.

The soundtrack is loaded with heartfelt lyrics and instrumental segments that listeners will appreciate, especially those deeply invested in the struggles of Katniss Everdeen and all the districts illustrated in the story. Many of the songs tap into listeners’ emotions with slow and soft rhythms, which may not please those who prefer a faster beat. However, the songs fit well with the plot of the story and those familiar with it can make connections to the lyrics.

When listening to the tracks, you can hear the underlying meaning of the lyrics that portray the intensity of the movie and the depth behind it. Some of the songs such as “Atlas” by Coldplay reflect significant parts of the story. The lyrics, “some bend the bow” and “caught in the fire,” signify the direct correlation of the song to the movie. The different songs tell the story between the poor and oppressed versus the entitled in the Capital.

Personally, “Who We Are” by Imagine Dragons was one of my favorites from the album and it also happens to be one of the more upbeat songs. I also enjoyed “Silhouettes” by Of Monsters and Men, which uses their traditional alternative/indie rock sound.

Other tracks include “Gale Song” by The Lumineers, “Devil May Cry” by The Weeknd, “Place for Us” by Mikky Ekko and “Lean” by The National. I didn’t have a problem with any of the tracks, but they weren’t my favorite songs and failed to catch my attention.

Although I was already a fan of many of the artists included on the soundtrack, I believe that die-hard Hunger Games fans and casual listeners both will still be able to find at least one track they enjoy, even if they don’t particularly like the artists.

Overall, there was a good selection for this soundtrack. Listeners’ favorite songs will send chills down their spines and slip an image of Katniss’s strength and determination into their minds. The wide array of artists all contribute a piece of melody, and fortunately, the odds were most definitely in their favor.