Critically acclaimed Australian film Somersault, is the story of a young girl's journey of self discovery through sex, guilt, love and relationships and the confusion these forces cause.

Director Cate Shortland personally invited Sydney’s Decoder Ring to provide the soundtrack, and a suitably atmospheric and challenging one it is too. Subtlety is the key here, with a string of delicately crafted, and ever-so restrained, tracks taking in electronica, ambient noise, and jazz.

Such restraint could mean the casual listener is unlikely to give this a second spin. Those who stay the course will be rewarded with the Spanish guitar and accordion of the melancholic ‘The Siesta Inn’, and the classy ‘Higher Higher’. Special mention should be made of newcomer Lenka’s husky, vocals on ‘Music Box’, and the title track, which bring to mind Icelandic songstress Emiliana Torrini.

This soundtrack fits perfectly with the film but when listened to out of context, as a stand alone effort, it’s one that requires an awful lot of effort. Harsh? Perhaps. Let’s just call it a flawed gem.