The score is "larger and more matured" than the first film, which demanded Wallfisch a 100-piece orchestra from the Hollywood Studio Symphony and 40-member voice choir performing.

[2] "I wanted to take the themes, which have become familiar, and part of the storytelling from the first film, and give them the sense that they’ve gone through 27 years of not just maturing, but developing a complexity that time brings.

The album expertly captures the atmosphere of IT and embraces its horrific nature to great effect, and of particular note is the way the composer picks out elements from children’s nursery rhymes and then twists and distorts them into something completely petrifying.

The creative collisions of sounds, the extended performance techniques, and the allusions to the most challenging and advanced 20th century modernism, are all worthy of significant praise.

Not only that, but Wallfisch weaves a half dozen or so identifiable and memorable recurring themes through the score too, and allows them the room to create moments of emotional catharsis when required.

The Oranges & Lemons chant for the demented toddlers remains one of the most brilliant and spine-chilling horror music motifs in recent memory.

Note that these generous Wallfisch albums tend to go out of print on CD within a year or two, so you should not hesitate to appreciate a lossless presentation of this strong genre entry sooner rather than later.

"[10] Los Angeles Times writer Jen Yamato wrote "Benjamin Wallfisch’s portentous score signaling the way".