Happy release day to Underland — Rob Petit’s cinematic documentary based on Robert Macfarlane’s 2019 book of the same name — out in UK cinemas today. We are thrilled that Hannah Peel’s original score for the film is also out in the world today via our Rivertones label.
Hannah Peel’s Underland draws a glorious and vivid electronic map of the ground below, and what comes buried beneath that ground. Melodies that feel like they’ve been lifted directly from the soil merge with rhythm tracks that could be insects burrowing caves through the undergrowth, and gorgeous ambient echoes intertwined with spectral voices… these elements in Hannah’s hands are the true sound of the underground.
Hannah says: “I had read Robert’s book back in 2019, and even included some words from it for my 2022 album The Unfolding. The chance to actually compose for the book’s film in return though, beautiful synchronicity! Scoring for these astronauts of the underworld, those sacred ancient cave systems, the mysteries of the universe’s secrets, exploring what would they actually sound like? Those haunting descents that remind us of our planet’s past and future, asking us to look deep into ancestor’s stories and evaluate where we will go next, made it a profound film to work. I used ancient Mayan Pod Trumpets and an iron age horn called a Carnyx mixed with baroque choir, string orchestra and synths to bring to life a score that had to combine mythology, technology and possibility.”
Hannah Peel is a much-lauded musician, producer, BBC broadcaster and Emmy-nominated, Ivor Novello winning film composer. Her solo records have explored the deep space of electronic sound, whether working with colliery brass band or documenting a family member’s descent into Alzheimer’s in sound. Her 2021 album Fir Wave was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize, and Chalk Hill Blue, an acclaimed collaborative record with poet Will Burns, was released on Rivertones in 2019. She’s set to release a new collaborative album with Chinese percussionist Beibei Wang on 22 May, 2026. Hannah has worked regularly with Paul Weller, orchestrating his albums from 2018’s True Meanings onwards.
Robert Macfarlane is a British author and remains one of Caught by the River’s chief inspirations. His books have been a key component of the site since launch — his second book The Wild Places was published within months of CBTR’s first post. Robert released The Sea Road — a collaborative piece he made with visionary sound recordist Chris Watson — on Rivertones in 2012.
Hannah Peel’s Underland is out now on streaming platforms, and available to buy digitally on our Bandcamp page. News on a CD release will be coming soon.
Watch the trailer for the Underland film here. Find details of nationwide screenings, including special Q&A screenings, here.