“Euphoria” has been a groundbreaking title ever since it was released in 2019. After the almost two-year wait, fans were eager for a continuation of director Sam Levinson’s daring vision.
The show took radical steps to produce a cutting-edge cinematic experience, and the one element that took the production to the next level is the music. Jen Malone, the supervisor of music for the show, managed to capture a spectrum of different music styles ranging from classic rock to modern rap.
Within the first season, Labrinth, the main music producer, hit the scene with a “Euphoria”-inspired album that took the fan base by storm. The show inspired a shift in the music industry, especially among avid followers. Senior Alix Dalmasso identified herself as one of these followers. “After watching the first season of “Euphoria” I found myself integrating the soundtrack into my normal rotation of music. It was not something I thought I would enjoy,” she explained. “It was so different than my normal music taste but in that way, I really gravitated towards it.”
The director’s attention to visually and audibly appealing scenes in season one left fans with high expectations for season two. While the storyline is what initially attracts viewers to the show, the ambiance that was created keeps them watching. The first season provided flashy cinematography and vibrant hues, whereas season two faded out these elements while still keeping the underlying tones of “Euphoria” that fans adored.
The start of season two began with a different approach. Music popular in the late ‘70s and early ’80s was predominantly featured. The target audience for this show is mainly people born in the early 2000s, meaning a track with a heavy emphasis on older music was a surprising take. Artists such as Steely Dan, Billy Swan and Gerry Rafferty were featured in the first few episodes of season two.
The show’s audience may not have expected the change of musical pace, but many are embracing the stylistic take. Senior Breanna Hoskins is one of the many who was impacted by the soundtrack. “I love that older music is played. It encourages our generation to appreciate older music,” she said. “I listen to the music outside of the show because they are really quality songs. “Euphoria” has introduced me to so many older artists already.”
Many of the people watching may not have anticipated the change of musical pace and definitely did not expect to incorporate late ‘70s music into their daily rotation. The impact that “Euphoria” has on its viewers is substantial, so it comes as no surprise that the audience would incorporate the soundtrack to the characters’ lives into their own.
Although a heavy presence of older music was an important factor of the new season, the incorporation of today’s popular music created a good balance. In a scene depicting three of the main characters driving, “Trademark USA” by Baby Keem played. This is a much newer song, but it fit the scene in a way that the older music would not. It also was an ode to the high school students watching who instantly recognized the song.
Hoskins is an advocate for the representation of older music; however, she enjoyed the scene with an up-to-date song. “I’m really glad that they brought ‘Trademark USA’ into the show.” she said, “It also gives a good contrast between the older music in the show.”
“Euphoria” has been breaking societal boundaries since its introduction in 2019. The season two soundtrack has continued the legacy of the show’s cinematic attention to detail. By incorporating everything from today’s greatest hits all the way back to the hits of the ‘70s, “Euphoria” was able to perfectly capture a musically thematic masterpiece.
