It features an original score composed by Jonny Greenwood, along with music by Can, the Marketts, Minnie Riperton, Kyu Sakamoto, Neil Young, Les Baxter and Chuck Jackson.

[8] For Inherent Vice, Greenwood reworked it with performances by Gaz Coombes and Danny Goffey of Supergrass, and Joanna Newsom provided spoken word.

"[14] Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote "In its own way, Inherent Vice is as subtly and carefully crafted as Greenwood's other scores for Anderson's films, but its wit and heart make it special in its own right.

"[16] Joe Goggins of Drowned In Sound gave 7 out of 10 to the album and wrote Greenwood's "non-Radiohead output has always been interesting and has often been compelling".

"[18] Ben Hogwood of MusicOMH rated three-and-a-half out of five, saying "this is undoubtedly Greenwood’s work, and he writes with ever-growing assurance and colour, broadening the orchestral palette.