We at CultBox adjusted our bow tie, left our sonic death baton with Strax, and – with help from a panel of music experts including the Akhaten star god and ‘Cold War’s Ultravox-loving submariner Professor Grisenko – picked our 10 favourite tracks…

 

‘Clara’

Which companion has the best theme? Still probably Amy (possibly Martha…), but there is something so beautiful, so twinkly, so…souffle-like about Clara’s theme that it brings you back to it time after time. There’s a delicateness and innocence about it in the piano and strings that evokes the same kind of feeling you get whenever you hear Rose’s theme. Oh, Rose! Yes, her theme’s rather good too.

 

‘Up The Shard’

By now the Eleventh Doctor’s had as many variations on his theme as he’s had bow ties. With his new togs for Series 7 Part 2 he also gets this new take on his call to action. This time lighter on the strings and heavier on the brass and electric guitar, it’s got a real wallop to it. Make the most of it; Twelve’s probably going to have none of this. It’ll be bagpipes and a choir of expletives.

 

‘The Long Song’

The best thing about ‘The Rings of Akhaten’ is now available for your ears, stripped of Matt Smith’s speech and the unfortunate line ‘You take it all, baby!’. Emilia Jones sings like an angel and the backing choral is especially stirring. When the late summer sun’s setting, stand outside and – voila! – you’ve got the ideal music to shout your woes at the fiery nuclear death-ball that the British summer holidays are slave to. ‘You take it all, death-ball!’

 

‘Cyber Army’

As ‘Nightmare in Silver’ gave us the next iteration of Cyber-form, so ‘Cyber Army’ upgrades the Mondasian monsters’ music. The instantly recognisable six note horn arrangement that’s been the Cybermen’s musical signature for the past 7 years is included with a more aggressive, even primal, five note stomp of timpani and low bass to form a terrifying march. Ooh, you can practically see them bursting out of their Telosian tombs to this.

 

‘A Secret He Will Take To His Grave’

If you thought Series 3’s ‘This is Gallifrey’ was just too darn cheery, then try this sombre take on the old favourite. An ideal backing track for the less cheery events in your life, such as drawing up your will, or recalling a particularly traumatic fez incident to friends and relatives.

 

Released on Monday 9 September 2013 by Silva Screen Records.

What was your favourite piece of music in Series 7? Let us know below…