What underrated film scores master the narrative through music?

[Olivia71]

I'm a film student working on a project analyzing how music shapes narrative, and I'm compiling a list of the best movie soundtracks that aren't just collections of popular songs but are integral to the storytelling, like the haunting minimalist score of "There Will Be Blood" or the iconic, character-defining themes in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." I'm particularly interested in scores where the music acts almost as a narrator or a psychological extension of a character, but I feel my list is leaning too heavily on well-known classics and modern blockbusters. For cinephiles and music scholars, what are some underrated or unconventional film scores that masterfully elevate the narrative in a way that dialogue and visuals alone could not? How do you evaluate the artistic merit of a soundtrack beyond its immediate memorability or commercial success?