When “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer released her popular first novel from the perspective of vampire Edward Cullen in the summer of 2020, I had to revisit the soundtrack for the first “Twilight” movie for readers of Afterglow ATX, a UT-Austin campus music publication.

Nothing soundtracks paranormal romance in the Pacific Northwest better than angsty alt-rock anthems and indie tunes as blue in tone as the filters overlaying the first “Twilight” film. But not even its Grammy-nominated soundtrack could protect the 2008 vampire flick from criticism.

“Twilight” was just one of those movies: so hated, yet so loved. For many, the acting left much to be desired and the general concept (sparkly vampires and romance? what?) offended those strongest attached to traditional vampire lore. However, “Twilight” succeeded in capturing  the melodrama of Bella and Edward’s love story and the conflicting emotions that came with it, thanks in part to the music packaged with the movie and backing its scenes. Misty forest shots, intense, longing stares, and action sequences are elevated by piano ballads, guitar tracks, and singer-songwriter gems.