'Twilight: Breaking Dawn pt. 1 Soundtrack' - Album review

Avoid it all you like, but there are few people today who aren't familiar with the tale of romantic woe between Twilight's Edward and Bella. We all know it's not been the easiest of paths, and its impressive soundtracking from the off - which has previously featured cuts from emo-pop acts Muse, Paramore and Linkin Park - has always served as handy punctuation to help us untangle what's beneath the teen angst and head-spinning love triangles.

The latest follows a similar template, but the effect isn't as predictable as you'd expect. Topping the bill is Bruno Mars with brand new track 'It Will Rain'; a stormy, love-sick ballad loaded with coming-of-age torment - even if it does sound suspiciously like it was written for purpose. Meanwhile, rising star Christina Perri's torch-waving 'A Thousand Years' will have fans begging the pair to walk the aisle should the actors themselves fail to convince.

Elsewhere, the Noisettes and Joy Formidable provide the much-needed upshots against the LP's sludgier moments towards the back-end; Iron & Wine's 'Flightless Bird, American Mouth' is relegated to wedding party room-clearer, while Aqualung and Lucy Schwartz's 'Cold' sits in a confusing spot between haunting and sensual. In fact, if there's one thing this collection lacks, it's a song to define that moment we've all been waiting for.

Watch the music video for Bruno Mars's 'It Will Rain' below: