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WaterTower Music
WaterTower Music
WaterTower Music
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WaterTower Music Inc. (formerly New Line Records from 2000 to 2010) is an American record label serving as the in-house music label run by entertainment company Warner Bros., ultimately owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The name and logo are based on the iconic Warner Bros. Water Tower.

Key Information

History

[edit]

It was founded in 2000 as New Line Records by Jason Linn.[1]

On January 15, 2010, New Line Records changed its name to WaterTower Music with Linn now also reporting to Paul Broucek, president, music, Warner Bros. Pictures.[1] In March 2010, the company switched distribution from Warner Music Group's Alternative Distribution Alliance to Fontana, Universal Music Group's independent distributor.[2]

In 2019, the distribution changed back to ADA, effectively reuniting WMG with former parent Warner Bros.[2]

Releases

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Artists

[edit]

Soundtracks

[edit]

New Line Records

[edit]
Artist Album Details
The Blank Theory Beyond the Calm of the Corridor
  • Released: September 24, 2002
The Sounds Living in America
  • Released: November 11, 2002
Paris, Texas Like You Like an Arsonist
  • Released: May 4, 2004
Rolfe Kent Sideways
  • Released: October 12, 2004
Various Blade: Trinity
  • Released: November 23, 2004
Robbers on High Street Tree City
  • Released: February 22, 2005
Various Just Friends
  • Released: November 22, 2005
The Sounds Dying to Say This to You
  • Released: March 21, 2006
  • Chart positions: US #107
Various A Prairie Home Companion: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: May 23, 2006
  • Chart positions: US #160
Various Snakes on a Plane: The Album
  • Released: August 15, 2006
Thomas Newman Little Children: Original Motion Picture Score
  • Released: December 11, 2006
Midnight Movies Lion the Girl
  • Released: April 24, 2007
Various Hairspray: Soundtrack to the Motion Picture
  • Released: July 10, 2007
  • Chart position: US #2
Robbers on High Street Grand Animals
  • Released: July 24, 2007
Various Sex and the City: The Movie
  • Released: May 26, 2008
  • Chart position: US #2
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Various Sex and the City, Vol. 2: More Music
  • Released: May 26, 2008
  • Chart position: US #2
  • RIAA certification: —
Various Friday The 13th: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: February 13, 2009
  • Chart Position: US #2
  • RIAA certification
Various 17 Again: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: April 21, 2009
Nicholas Hooper Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  • Released: July 14, 2009
Mychael Danna The Time Traveler's Wife (Music from the Motion Picture)
  • Released: August 11, 2009

WaterTower Music

[edit]
Artist Album Details
Various The Hangover: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: June 9, 2009
Hans Zimmer Sherlock Holmes: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: January 12, 2010
Various Valentine's Day: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: February 9, 2010
  • Chart position: US #20
Ramin Djawadi Clash of the Titans: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: March 30, 2010
David Hirschfelder Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: September 21, 2010
Various Pretty Little Liars: Television Soundtrack
  • Released: February 15, 2011
Various Sucker Punch: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: March 22, 2011
  • Chart position: US #22
Various Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors
  • Released: April 5, 2011
Various The Hangover Part II: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: May 23, 2011
James Newton Howard Green Lantern: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: June 14, 2011
Various Horrible Bosses: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: July 5, 2011
Various A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: September 6, 2011
Various New Year's Eve: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: December 6, 2011
Hans Zimmer Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: December 13, 2011
Various Project X (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: February 28, 2012
Javier Navarrete Wrath of the Titans: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: March 27, 2012
Various Dark Shadows: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: May 8, 2012
Various Rock of Ages: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: June 5, 2012
  • Chart positions: US #5
Various Magic Mike: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: June 26, 2012
Hans Zimmer The Dark Knight Rises: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: July 17, 2012
Tom Tykwer Cloud Atlas
  • Released: November 6, 2012
Ryan Shore Spy Hunter: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: October 9, 2012
thenewno2 Beautiful Creatures: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: February 12, 2013
Various The Hangover Part III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: May 21, 2013
Hans Zimmer Man of Steel: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: June 11, 2013
Ramin Djawadi Pacific Rim: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: July 9, 2013
Mark Mothersbaugh The Lego Movie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: February 4, 2014
  • Chart positions: US #37
Alexandre Desplat Godzilla: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: May 13, 2014
Various If I Stay: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: August 18, 2014
Hans Zimmer Interstellar: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: November 17, 2014
Various Focus
  • Released: February 24, 2015
Junkie XL Mad Max: Fury Road: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: May 12, 2015
Various Magic Mike XXL
  • Released: June 30, 2015
  • Chart positions: US #8
Various Vacation: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: July 24, 2015
Daniel Pemberton The Man From U.N.C.L.E.: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: August 7, 2015
Tom Holkenborg Black Mass: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: September 11, 2015
Various The Intern: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: September 18, 2015
John Powell Pan: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: October 2, 2015
David Wingo Our Brand Is Crisis: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: October 23, 2015
Ludwig Göransson Creed: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: November 20, 2015
Roque Banos In the Heart of the Sea: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: December 4, 2015
Various How to Be Single: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: February 5, 2016
Max Richter The Leftovers: Music From the HBO® Series - Season 2
  • Released: February 19, 2016
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cast Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Season 1 - Vol.1 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: February 19, 2016
Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: March 18, 2016
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cast Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Season 1 - Vol.2 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: May 20, 2016
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cast Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Season 1 - Commentary Album (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: June 10, 2016
Various A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: August 2, 2016
Steven Price Suicide Squad: Original Motion Picture Score
  • Released: August 8, 2016
Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna Storks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: September 16, 2016
James Newton Howard Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: November 18, 2016
Lorne Balfe The Lego Batman Movie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: February 3, 2017
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cast Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Season 2 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 3, 2017
Henry Jackman Kong: Skull Island (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 3, 2017
Riverdale Cast Riverdale: Season 1 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: May 12, 2017
Daniel Pemberton King Arthur: Legend of the Sword: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: May 19, 2017
Rupert Gregson-Williams Wonder Woman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: June 2, 2017
Blake Neely Riverdale: Season 1 (Original Television Score)
  • Released: July 18, 2017
Hans Zimmer Dunkirk: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: July 21, 2017
Various Teen Titans Go! Songs From the Night Begins To Shine Special - EP
  • Released: July 28, 2017
Mark Mothersbaugh The Lego Ninjago Movie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: September 15, 2017
Lorne Balfe Geostorm: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: October 13, 2017
Danny Elfman Justice League: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: December 8, 2017
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cast Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Season 1 - Karaoke Album (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: January 12, 2018
Alan Silvestri Ready Player One: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: March 30, 2018
Riverdale Cast Riverdale: Special Episode – Carrie: The Musical (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: April 19, 2018
Riverdale Cast Riverdale: Season 2 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: May 18, 2018
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cast Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Season 3 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: July 20, 2018
James Newton Howard Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: November 9, 2018
Blake Neely and Sherri Chung Riverdale: Season 2 (Original Television Score)
  • Released: November 16, 2018
Rupert Gregson-Williams Aquaman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: December 14, 2018
Various The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: February 7, 2019
Mark Mothersbaugh The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (Original Motion Picture Score)
  • Released: February 7, 2019
Sabrina Cast Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Season 1 (Selections from the Netflix Series) - EP
  • Released: March 15, 2019
Riverdale Cast Riverdale: Special Episode – Heathers: The Musical (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 21, 2019
Benjamin Wallfisch Shazam!: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: April 5, 2019
Various Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Season 1 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: April 5, 2019
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cast Yes, It's Really Us Singing: The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Concert Special
  • Released: May 10, 2019
Riverdale Cast Riverdale: Season 3 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: May 17, 2019
Bear McCreary Godzilla: King of the Monsters (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: May 24, 2019
Various Shaft: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: June 7, 2019
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cast Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Season 4 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: August 1, 2019
Various Steven Universe The Movie (Original Soundtrack)
  • Released: September 3, 2019
Hildur Guðnadóttir Joker: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: October 2, 2019
Blake Neely and Sherri Chung Riverdale: Special Halloween Episode (Original Television Score)
  • Released: October 31, 2019
The Newton Brothers Doctor Sleep: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: November 1, 2019
Various A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: November 22, 2019
Sabrina Cast Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Part 3 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: January 24, 2020
RuPaul and Lior Rosner AJ and the Queen (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: January 24, 2020
Daniel Pemberton Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) - Original Motion Picture Score
  • Released: February 14, 2020
Katy Keene Cast Katy Keene: Special Episode – Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 20, 2020
Riverdale Cast Riverdale: Special Episode – Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: April 15, 2020
Larry Goldings Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker - Soundtrack from a Netflix Limited Series
  • Released: April 17, 2020
Katy Keene Cast Katy Keene: Season 1 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: May 15, 2020
Riverdale Cast Riverdale: Season 4 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: May 15, 2020
Various Scoob! The Album
  • Released: May 15, 2020
Junkie XL Scoob! Original Motion Picture Score
  • Released: May 29, 2020
Adam Taylor Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Season 1 (Original Television Score)
  • Released: August 16, 2020
Pinar Toprak Stargirl: Season 1 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: August 21, 2020
Lucifer Cast Lucifer: Seasons 1-5 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: August 21, 2020
Jefferson Friedman Harley Quinn: Seasons 1 (Soundtrack from the Animated Series)
  • Released: August 21, 2020
Jefferson Friedman Harley Quinn: Seasons 2 (Soundtrack from the Animated Series)
  • Released: August 21, 2020
Ludwig Göransson Tenet: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: September 3, 2020
Kevin Riepl Superman: Man of Tomorrow – Soundtrack from the DC Universe Movie
  • Released: September 10, 2020
Hans Zimmer Wonder Woman 1984: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: December 16, 2020
Sabrina Cast Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Part 4 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: January 1, 2021
Blake Neely and Sherri Chung Riverdale: Season 3 (Score from the Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: January 22, 2021
Blake Neely and Sherri Chung Riverdale: Season 4 (Score from the Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: January 22, 2021
Hans Zimmer Wonder Woman 1984: Sketches from the Soundtrack
  • Released: February 5, 2021
Legacies Cast Legacies: Special Episode – Salvatore: The Musical! (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: February 5, 2021
Christopher Lennertz Tom & Jerry (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: February 12, 2021
Junkie XL Godzilla vs. Kong (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 18, 2021
Junkie XL Zack Snyder's Justice League (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 31, 2021
Lin-Manuel Miranda In the Heights (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: June 10, 2021
Various Space Jam: A New Legacy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: July 9, 2021
Kris Bowers Space Jam: A New Legacy (Original Motion Picture Score)
  • Released: July 15, 2021
Hans Zimmer The Dune Sketchbook
  • Released: July 15, 2021
Hans Zimmer The Dune Sketchbook
  • Released: August 6, 2021
John Murphy The Suicide Squad (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: August 6, 2021
John Murphy The Suicide Squad (Score from the Original Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: September 17, 2021
Hans Zimmer The Art and Soul of Dune
  • Released: October 22, 2021
Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer The Matrix Resurrections (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: December 17, 2021
Finneas O'Connell The Fallout (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: January 28, 2022
Cliff Martinez KIMI (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: February 11, 2022
Clint Mansell and Kevin Kiner Peacemaker (Soundtrack from the HBO® Max Original Series)
  • Released: February 18, 2022
Blake Neely & Sherri Chung Batwoman: Season 2 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: February 25, 2022
Michael Giacchino The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: February 25, 2022
Blake Neely & Nathaniel Blume The Flash: Armageddon (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 4, 2022
Mark Isham The Cleaning Lady: Season 1 (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 11, 2022
Aaron Zigman And Just Like That (Soundtrack from the HBO® Max Original Series)
  • Released: March 11, 2022
Kris Bowers DMZ (Soundtrack from the HBO® Max Original Limited Series)
  • Released: March 17, 2022
David Boman Moonshot (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: March 25, 2022
Jeff Danna Julia (Soundtrack from the HBO® Max Original Series)
  • Released: April 1, 2022
James Newton Howard Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: April 8, 2022
Tim Phillips Shining Vale (Soundtrack from the Original Series)
  • Released: April 17, 2022
Anna Drubich, Marius De Vries and Matt Robertson Navalny (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: April 25, 2022
Mark Mothersbaugh Our Flag Means Death (Soundtrack from the HBO® Max Original Series)
  • Released: May 5, 2022
Riverdale Cast Riverdale: Special Episode – American Psycho: The Musical (Original Television Soundtrack)
  • Released: June 12, 2022
Various Barbie (Score from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: August 4, 2023
Rupert Gregson-Williams Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Released: December 22, 2023
Hans Zimmer Dune: Part Two: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: February 23, 2024
Tom Holkenborg, Antonio Di Iorio Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (soundtrack)
  • Released: March 22, 2024
Various A Minecraft Movie (soundtrack)
  • Released: March 28, 2025
John Murphy, David Fleming Superman
  • Released: July 4, 2025

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WaterTower Music

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WaterTower Music is an American record label serving as the in-house music division of Warner Bros. Entertainment, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, specializing in the production and distribution of original soundtracks, scores, and compilations for films, television series, video games, and other media associated with Warner Bros. properties. The label was launched in January 2010, as a reimagining and rebranding of New Line Records, which had been founded in 2000 by Jason Linn to handle music releases for New Line Cinema productions. WaterTower Music succeeded Warner Sunset Records along with New Line Records, adopting its name and logo inspired by the iconic Warner Bros. water tower landmark on the studio lot in Burbank, California. Since its inception, WaterTower Music has released soundtracks for numerous acclaimed Warner Bros. projects, including Hans Zimmer's score for (2021), which earned widespread recognition for its innovative sound design, and the original motion picture soundtrack for (2024), featuring Danny Elfman's compositions. The label has also ventured into expanded editions of classic series like from HBO and contemporary releases such as (2025), blending traditional media music with modern genres.

History

Founding as New Line Records

New Line Records was established in 2000 by Jason Linn as an in-house record label for , a of Time Warner, with an initial emphasis on releasing rock and pop artist albums alongside film soundtracks tied to the studio's productions. The label operated from New York initially, leveraging New Line Cinema's film slate to curate music that complemented its movies while also signing independent artists to broaden its catalog. Early releases began in 2001 with the soundtrack for , a featuring various artists that marked the label's entry into music distribution. This was followed in 2002 by Howard Shore's score for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, integrating the label closely with Time Warner's broader music operations through shared resources and promotional synergies within the conglomerate. Distribution for these initial titles was handled by the (ADA), Warner Music Group's independent arm, enabling wider physical and digital reach for New Line's niche offerings. In 2003, amid Time Warner's sale of its Warner Music Group division to an investor consortium led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. for approximately $2.6 billion, New Line Records was retained under Warner Bros. Entertainment, preserving its autonomy as a film-centric label separate from the divested recorded music assets. Key milestones that year included the release of The Sounds' debut rock album Living in America and Howard Shore's score for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, solidifying the label's dual focus on pop/rock signings and high-profile New Line film soundtracks. These efforts established New Line Records as a specialized imprint until its rebranding to WaterTower Music in 2010.

Rebranding to WaterTower Music

In January 2010, New Line Records underwent a rebranding to WaterTower Music, serving as a reimagining of the label to better support Warner Bros.' broader portfolio of soundtracks. This change, announced on January 14, 2010, aimed to unify music operations across New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, allowing the label to function as a full-service entity dedicated to film and television properties under Warner Bros. Entertainment. The marked a strategic pivot toward primarily releasing soundtracks for productions, expanding beyond the prior emphasis on select rock and pop artist releases to encompass a wider array of cinematic and televised content. In March 2010, WaterTower Music shifted its distribution partnership to , an independent arm of , to handle physical and digital releases more effectively. Ownership remained under Warner Bros. Entertainment following the rebranding, with the label reporting to key executives in the motion picture group. This structure persisted until April 2022, when WarnerMedia merged with Discovery, Inc., forming Warner Bros. Discovery, which continues to oversee WaterTower Music as its in-house soundtrack label. By 2025, WaterTower Music had emphasized expanded digital releases alongside select physical editions, reflecting ongoing adaptations to streaming dominance while preserving collectible formats. A notable milestone was the December 2025 physical vinyl release of the Peacemaker: Season 1 – The Eagly-P EP, the first such edition for the HBO Max series' soundtrack, produced in partnership with Mutant. Other 2025 highlights included digital soundtracks for films like Weapons, underscoring the label's continued role in Warner Bros. Discovery's multimedia ecosystem.

Releases

Film Soundtracks

Following its rebranding in 2010, WaterTower Music placed a strong emphasis on releasing original motion picture soundtracks for Warner Bros. productions, leveraging the label's integration with the studio to distribute high-profile orchestral and contemporary scores. This focus aligned with major franchises, producing soundtracks that often blended epic instrumentation with thematic depth to enhance cinematic narratives. A seminal example is the soundtrack for The Dark Knight Rises (2012), composed by Hans Zimmer, which featured pulsating electronic and orchestral elements central to the film's intensity and debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart. Key releases underscore WaterTower Music's role in bridging pre- and post-rebranding eras, including the Hairspray soundtrack (2007) from the New Line Records period, which peaked at No. 2 on the and earned Platinum certification by the RIAA for over 1 million units sold in the U.S. More recent highlights include Dune: Part Two (2024), with Zimmer's score incorporating ancient-inspired percussion and vocals, released by WaterTower Music on February 23, 2024, and achieving No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. The label continued this trajectory with Superman (2025), featuring score by John Murphy and David Fleming, released on July 8, 2025, ahead of the film's theatrical debut. In 2025, WaterTower Music expanded into immersive experiences with the release of at Sphere: The Soundtrack on November 7, 2025, a re-recorded version of the 1939 's original score by , adapted for the venue's production. These efforts reflect broader trends in the label's soundtrack production, particularly the prominence of orchestral scores for and franchises, where composers like Zimmer have shaped signature sonic identities through large-scale symphonic arrangements.

Television and Other Soundtracks

WaterTower Music's initial forays into television soundtracks after its 2010 rebranding emphasized cast-driven musical content, particularly for series like Riverdale, where releases such as the Riverdale: Season 7 (Original Television Soundtrack) featured performances by the show's ensemble covering pop and musical theater standards. Similarly, the label issued multiple volumes for from 2015 to 2019, including Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Original Television Soundtrack – Season 4, highlighting composer Rachel Bloom's original songs performed by the cast to advance the series' narrative. Unlike the orchestral focus of many film scores, WaterTower Music's television releases often prioritize original songs and cast recordings, enabling episodic storytelling through music, as seen in the pop-infused tracks of Riverdale and the Broadway-style numbers in . This approach distinguishes TV soundtracks by integrating performer vocals directly tied to character arcs, fostering a more style. The label expanded into prestige streaming series with The Sandman: Season 1 (Soundtrack from the Original Series) in 2022, composed by , which blended atmospheric orchestral elements with dreamlike motifs to evoke Neil Gaiman's source material. In 2025, WaterTower Music addressed gaps in prior coverage by issuing expanded editions of HBO properties, including Rome (Soundtrack from the ® Original Series) [Expanded Edition], a 38-track digital release by that added previously unreleased cues from the 2005–2007 series. That same year, the label released Peacemaker: 1 – The Eagly-P (Soundtrack from the HBO Max® Original Series) as a four-song EP on September 12, featuring key musical moments like the title sequence by and tracks by , with a limited physical vinyl edition. This growth extended to animated and franchise-linked media, such as SCOOB! (Original Motion Picture Score) in 2020 by , which supported the TV legacy through its adventurous cues and elements for ongoing series adaptations, as well as video game soundtracks including Hogwarts Legacy (Original Soundtrack) (2023) composed by J Scott Rakozy. WaterTower Music's television output occasionally overlaps with film franchises in shared universes, like DC extensions in Peacemaker, where songs and themes bridge cinematic origins to episodic formats.

Compilation and Artist Albums

WaterTower Music, along with its predecessor New Line Records, has produced a range of compilation albums and artist-driven releases that aggregate songs from multiple performers, often tied to properties but extending into standalone projects. These efforts highlight the label's focus on curating diverse musical interpretations, including covers by television casts and reimagined tracks from iconic franchises, to engage broader audiences beyond core soundtrack formats. Under New Line Records, the Hairspray (2007) soundtrack served as a notable bridge to the rebranded era, featuring performances by the film's cast including and ; it debuted at No. 2 on the , sold over 101,000 copies in its first full week, and achieved platinum certification for shipments exceeding 1 million units in the United States. This success underscored the label's early strength in musical theater adaptations, blending original cast recordings with pop elements to drive commercial performance. Following the 2010 rebrand, WaterTower Music expanded into post-rebrand compilations such as the Sex and the City 2 (2010) album, which collects pop tracks from artists like Alicia Keys and Dido to complement the film's narrative. Artist-focused releases include TV cast albums like Riverdale: Original Television Soundtrack (Season 4) (2019), where the ensemble performs covers of classics such as "All That Jazz" and "Cherry Bomb," promoting Warner-affiliated performers in episodic tie-ins. In 2025, the label issued Lofi Scooby-Doo, a compilation reinterpreting Hanna-Barbera themes in lo-fi style by artists including Hoogway and Dosi, released on September 12 to coincide with seasonal promotions. Recent updates include extensions of A Minecraft Movie (2025) into compilation formats, featuring songs by , Dayglow, and alongside score elements, released on March 28 as a diverse tracklist of 25 pieces. Standalone artist projects further illustrate the label's role in elevating Warner-connected talent, such as Dethklok's (2023), a metal album tied to programming, and the 10th-anniversary reissue of Killer Mike's (2022), showcasing hip-hop collaborations originally from . Through these, WaterTower Music fosters promotion of affiliated artists via aggregated releases that blend commercial soundtracks with independent-style albums.

Notable Contributors

Composers

WaterTower Music has collaborated extensively with renowned composers, particularly those affiliated with Warner Bros. productions, fostering a roster of talent known for crafting immersive cinematic scores. Among the most prominent is Hans Zimmer, whose partnership with the label dates back to the 2010 rebranding of New Line Records to WaterTower Music, aligning with Warner Bros.' expanded focus on film soundtracks. Zimmer's contributions include the epic orchestral score for The Dark Knight Rises (2012), which exemplifies his signature blend of pulsating rhythms and symphonic grandeur released under the label. His work on Denis Villeneuve's Dune (2021) and its sequel further solidified this affiliation, introducing innovative electronic and world music elements to orchestral frameworks, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards. James Newton Howard, another key figure with deep Warner Bros. ties, has contributed to WaterTower releases through projects such as the Fantastic Beasts series, where his lyrical and emotionally resonant compositions underscore narrative depth. Label-specific partnerships have brought fresh voices to WaterTower's catalog, notably David Fleming and John Murphy for the 2025 Superman soundtrack, marking a continuation of epic superhero scoring traditions. Fleming, a frequent collaborator with Zimmer through Remote Control Productions, composed much of the film's score, blending heroic motifs with modern electronic textures inspired by John Williams' original theme. Murphy contributed teaser themes and key cues, including the trailer's rendition of the Superman motif, enhancing the film's promotional and narrative soundscape. For the 2025 reimagined release The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, producer and sound designer Paul Freeman oversaw the adaptation of Herbert Stothart's classic score, incorporating contemporary orchestral arrangements to suit the immersive Sphere venue experience. Another prominent composer is , known for his distinctive whimsical and gothic scores, including the original motion picture soundtrack for (2024), which features his compositions blending orchestral elements with quirky motifs. These composers have profoundly shaped WaterTower Music's sonic identity, evolving it from the pop and rock emphases of its New Line Records origins toward a predominance of grand, orchestral styles post-2010 rebranding, as evidenced by the label's growing emphasis on high-profile scores that prioritize thematic depth and emotional scale.

Performing Artists

WaterTower Music has featured a diverse array of performing artists across its soundtrack releases, emphasizing vocal talents from television casts, film ensembles, and standalone pop and rock acts. These performers contribute to the label's focus on narrative-driven music, spanning Broadway-inspired interpretations to contemporary pop and rock integrations. In television, the label has prominently supported cast albums from series like Riverdale, where performers including KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, and Madelaine Petsch delivered original songs across seven seasons from 2017 to 2023, capturing the show's musical episodes and character-driven narratives. Similarly, the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ensemble, led by Rachel Bloom alongside Donna Lynne Champlin, Vella Lovell, and Pete Gardner, released soundtracks for all four seasons between 2015 and 2019, showcasing intricate musical numbers that blend pop, show tunes, and comedy. These releases highlight the label's role in amplifying TV casts' vocal performances. For film tie-ins, the predecessor label New Line Records' 2007 Hairspray soundtrack featured the cast of , , , , , and , who performed reimagined Broadway songs in a Motown-infused style, achieving Platinum certification in the United States for over one million units sold. The New Line Records' (2008) soundtrack similarly spotlighted pop vocalists such as Fergie with her original track "Labels or Love" and on "All Dressed in Love," alongside contributions from and Duffy, reflecting the film's urban pop aesthetic. These projects underscore the label's tradition of integrating established and emerging singers into cinematic soundscapes. Beyond casts, WaterTower has included standalone rock and pop artists on compilation releases, such as , , and on the 2013 Injustice: Gods Among Us album, bridging gaming narratives with energy. More recently, the 2023 The Color Purple soundtrack incorporated performances by , , and , expanding into R&B and hip-hop territories. In 2025, the Peacemaker: Season 1 – The Eagly-P EP featured rock acts like ("Oh Lord") and ("Guestlist"), tying into the series' eclectic soundtrack curated by . This roster demonstrates a shift from New Line Records-era rock/pop transitions post-2010 to broader genre diversity. The commercial success of these artists has been notable, with Hairspray's certification enabling related tours and live performances by cast members, while tracks like "You Stupid Bitch" garnered millions of streams, supporting Bloom's solo tours. Overall, WaterTower's performers range from ensemble casts evoking theatrical roots to individual pop and rock voices, fostering a versatile catalog that has influenced cross-media artist development.

References

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