The remains one of the most celebrated and vibrant musical compilations in modern cinema. Directed by John Carney ( Once , Begin Again ), the coming-of-age film is set in 1980s Dublin and follows a teenager named Conor who starts a rock band to impress a girl. Released by Republic Records , the soundtrack seamlessly blends original new wave pastiches with iconic hits from the era, capturing the exact moment when pop music transitioned into the music video age. The Genius Behind the Music