Watch Sturgill Simpson Presents Sound & Fury

Sturgill Simpson Presents Sound & Fury is a 2019 animated anthology film, featuring various styles of animation and music. The film is produced by Simpson himself and is directed by a team of Japanese animation companies. The story revolves around a young woman named Chiyuki, voiced by Chiyuki Kanazawa, who travels through a post-apocalyptic wasteland on a quest for revenge. The film features each of its ten songs as separate animated segments, with different styles of animation and storytelling techniques. The segments serve as a visual accompaniment to the various songs featured in the film.

The opening sequence sets the tone for the rest of the film, with a frenetic, high-energy opening that features Chiyuki and her motorcycle. The animation style here is a blend of traditional hand-drawn animation and computer-generated imagery. The sequence is fast-paced and thrilling, with a rock-and-roll soundtrack to match.

Throughout the film, the animation styles change dramatically to match the tone and style of each different song. One segment features a gritty, cyberpunk style, while another is a psychedelic, brightly colored journey through a neon cityscape. Yet another segment features a simple, hand-drawn animation style reminiscent of old Japanese cartoons.

The animation is often paired with intense visuals, including violent battle scenes and graphic imagery. The film is certainly not for the faint of heart, as it includes scenes of blood and gore that may be disturbing to some viewers. However, the imagery is always in service of telling a cohesive story.

The film's story is relatively simple, but it serves as an effective backdrop for the various styles of animation and music featured in the film. Chiyuki's quest for revenge is a classic narrative archetype that is easy to follow, and it allows the film to showcase its various segments without feeling disjointed.

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Sturgill Simpson Presents Sound & Fury is its soundtrack. Simpson himself provides the music for the film, and each song is a blend of different genres and styles. Some songs are straight-up rock-and-roll, while others incorporate elements of funk, soul, and even rap.

The film also features contributions from other musicians, including T Bone Burnett and The 8G Band. The result is a soundtrack that is diverse and engaging, full of catchy hooks and memorable melodies. It's an album that can stand on its own, outside the context of the film.

Overall, Sturgill Simpson Presents Sound & Fury is an ambitious and visually stunning film that showcases the talents of both Simpson and the Japanese animation studios that worked on it. The film's unique blend of animation styles and music creates a sensory overload that is both exhilarating and overwhelming. It's a wild ride that is sure to appeal to fans of both animation and music.