Milan Records has released the Original Series Soundtrack to Season 2 of HBO®’s THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES by multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter JOSEPH STEPHENS. 

Joseph Stephens is a contemporary composer and songwriter for television and film. At an early age he began experimenting and creating music with 4 track tape machines, delay pedals, guitars, radios, and anything else he could get his hands on. Writing music and playing in bands throughout college, Joseph established lasting relationships with frequent collaborators Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, and Jody Hill. His current work includes The Righteous Gemstones, Amazon series Upload from Greg Daniels, Netflix’s Never Have I Ever from Mindy Kaling, and the feature film, Family Squares, directed by Stephanie Laing.

Available everywhere now, the album features both instrumental score music and original vocal songs written by Stephens for the second season of the comedy series about a world-famous televangelist family. Returning to the series after scoring the first season, Stephens has created what he calls a “massive soundscape with a wide palette of sonic vibrations and textures.” The resulting 50-track collection reflects this expansiveness, ranging from synth-heavy instrumentals punctuated by operatic choral voices, distant whispers and manipulated tape machines to original worship songs and Christian Rock parodies.

The original vocal songs featured on the album were written primarily by Stephens and performed throughout the new season by the series cast, with contributions from Joe Jonas (as himself), Jennifer Nettles (as Aimee-Leigh Gemstone), Edi Patterson (as Judy Gemstone), Danny McBride (as Jesse Gemstone), Adam DeVine (as Kelvin Gemstone), Walton Goggins (as Baby Billy Freeman) and more. Following Season 1’s viral hit “Misbehavin’,” Stephens once again collaborates with Jennifer Nettles for “Sassy on Sunday,” the duo co-writing the track together and Nettles performing the song as her character Aimee-Leigh Gemstone. Stephens also collaborated with Edi Patterson to co-write “Butterflies” (performed by Patterson’s character Judy Gemstone) and “Rock My Boy’s Body.” Elsewhere, the two tracks by the fictional Tears of David church house band and album opener “Hallelujah By and By” were written by Mike Mitschele and Rick Randall, and “Howdy Neighbor” was written and performed by the Dynamite Brothers.

Of his original vocal tracks, composer JOSEPH STEPHENS had the following to say:

“At their core, the Gemstone family is a musical one. We wanted to surround them with songs that reflect their origins. Following in the footsteps of ‘Misbehavin’’ from Season 1, ‘Sassy on Sunday,’ co-written with Jennifer Nettles, finds Aimee-Leigh Gemstone embracing her evolution into the ‘80s Christian country/pop genre. ‘Home at Christmastime’ serves as a holiday family singalong. ‘Some Broken Hearts Will Never Mend’ takes the family sing-along concept to new levels. Much attention to detail has been paid to these various decade-spanning compositions, including instrumentation, recording techniques, and lyrical content. We want these songs to be believable. Some songs are performed ‘live’ on camera while others are recordings within the show’s narrative. We’ve also chosen to release all of these songs to the public under the characters’ names, in an effort to further enrich the world of The Righteous Gemstones. While ‘Rock My Boy’s Body’ is not performed by a Gemstone character, its place in the Gemstone family universe has yet to be fully revealed.”

THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES: SEASON 2 (ORIGINAL HBO SERIES SOUNDTRACK)

TRACKLISTING –

1.       Hallelujah By and By – Judy Gemstone

2.       G.O.D.D. Love – Tears of David

3.       God Blessed Texas – Joe Jonas

4.       Howdy Neighbor – Dynamite Brothers & The Lissons Children’s Choir

5.       Bright New Day – Tears of David

6.       There is a Fountain – Baby Billy Freeman

7.       Butterflies – Judy Gemstone

8.       Rock My Boy’s Body  – Joseph Stephens

9.       Home at Christmastime – Aimee-Leigh & Baby Billy

10.    Sassy on Sunday – Aimee-Leigh Gemstone

11.    Sassy on Sunday – Judy Gemstone

12.    Let’s Go to Zion – The Holy Zion Steel Drum Band

13.    Some Broken Hearts Never Mend – Jesse, Judy & Kelvin Gemstone

14.    Broken Thumbs 

15.    I’m Gonna Kill Myself

16.    Junior Returns 

17.    The Maniac Kid 

18.    Thaniel 

19.    Here to See Dr. Gemstone

20.    Pradera de Dios 

21.    Save Our Family 

22.    Breaking and Entering

23.    This Stays With Us 

24.    Junior at the Gate 

25.    All His Faculties 

26.    Text Chain 

27.    Manscaping 

28.    Respect My Authority

29.    Sugarcups 

30.    Glendon Theme 

31.    Be Not Deceived 

32.    Life Is But a Dream

33.    Cycle Ninjas 

34.    I Challenge You 

35.    Keefe’s Challenge 

36.    Clean Slate 

37.    Son of Eli 

38.    Person’s Business 

39.    Hospital Attack 

40.    Motorcycle Chase 

41.    The Ghost of Aimee-Leigh

42.    A Closed Fist 

43.    Memphis Confrontation

44.    No Honor Among Thieves

45.    Burn It Down 

46.    You’re a Great Son 

47.    I Can Explain 

48.    A Mouthful of Sand 

49.    Walk Into the Ocean

50.    Eaten By Wolves

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