One of the creative descriptions commonly thrown out to clients by music supervisors is "anthemic."
Typically, that means a structure that has an intro, a build and then a payoff. There is a melodic hook, likely foreshadowed in the intro and then reprised and repeated, full force (fortissimo) in the end section which helps keep up the energy. Importantly, there are rhythmic and/or percussive elements and instrumentation added in the build to give pacing and body and helps give the anthem its arc (i.e. you know you are "there" when you hear the big kick drum beat and crisp bite of the snare). Often times, an anthem also includes a pre-chorus where the listener may be subtly misdirected to create a tension build up so the payload offers an even bigger release (nothing like the floor tom and snare double timing into the big fill). The chord progressions are mostly major and the general feeling can be characterized as "feel good."
Here are some good anthem examples:
D-AN0177 Into The Light (3min)
I love writing these music tracks (yes, it even makes us pumped up and feel good too), but, often times, they are admittedly obvious and expected. They lack an "x-factor" and simply deliver on the "feel good" part without being f$&/-ing cool.
So, when being f$&/-ing cool is a key part of the creative direction... but you still need that anthemic payoff... We recommend going wide instead of big and offer up the anti-anthem. It's more subtle, the pacing and structure less predictable...the build less obvious and payoff always characterized as super-smooth. The instrumentation can vary but the combination of natural and electronic rhythmic elements can help open up then possibilities for that "x-factor." Importantly, rather than the rhythmic build of an anthem, choose "wider" ambient elements coupled with mix tricks (like nice delays) to create sense of space. When done right, it should deliver something that feels more soulful and sensitive with an emotional center or mood vs. the loud and proud feeling of an anthem and, most importantly, it should end with the listener feeling like "well that was pretty f$&/-ing cool" vs. an anthem which should end with the listener feeling like "awww yeah...we did it!"
Here are some good anti-anthems:
D-AN0039 For The Very First Time (1min50)
D-PE0068 Be Alright Now (Vocal)
D-AN0093 Ride On A Wave (Vocal)
Which is better? Who reigns supreme? . . . Hmmm, that's a tough one. In a business that people demand a base minimum level of cool from their music . . . Directly or indirectly asking for something formulaic is pretty rare (even if that is what the story needs). . . So, leave it the picture (and dialogue) to drive the final music track selection and when it feels good . . . go with it. . . and when you need to take it to "11" . . . break out the U2 guitars and delays and beat on those snare drums loud and proud!