"What I really enjoy about writing for orchestras is realizing that it's kind of self-evident, but the fact that they are 48 individuals and it's not, you know, a preset on a keyboard [...] It's all these people that have opinions and they're making decisions about how to play."

The album released by Nonesuch Records on September 11, 2012,[4] comprises eleven compositions from the original score by Jonny Greenwood, who had previously collaborated with Anderson on There Will Be Blood (2007).

"[12] Ryan Bray of Consequence assigned a C+ grade to the soundtrack and wrote "The Master isn’t a Radiohead record, but at points it’s easy to suspect that it could be.

Anderson’s film called for just that, and Greenwood here delivers a score worthy of the filmmaker’s faith and trust [...] the highest compliment that can be paid The Master soundtrack is that it furthers that sense of excitement.

"[14] Howard Gorman of MusicOMH assigned four-and-a-half out of five and wrote "Greenwood has recorded an eerie yet stunning score, and if Anderson’s production is just as aspiring then filmgoers are in for a real treat for the senses.

"[15] Analysing the album, James Montgomery of MTV had complimented the soundtrack as "positivelly marvelous" being enveloped and enthralled by its "scope and intimacy", he further wrote "Greenwood's score is as much a character as any of the actors, plays just as vital a role in creating the film's surreal, psychological edge.

[17] Sean Wilson of Mfiles wrote "Greenwood's distinctive, unusual and striking work is among the best of 2012, an acute musical distillation of a tormented state of mind.

[24] Adam Woodward of Little White Lies reviewed that Greenwood's "fretful jazz-infused score" reflects the film's polarised mood, along with the cinematography and art direction.

[26] Mark Adams of Screen International wrote "Equally striking is Jonny Greenwood wonderful score that is pitched perfectly and grips right from the first scenes in the South Pacific.