According to NME, fans tuning into the premiere of the long-awaited third season of HBO’s Euphoria may not be in store for the sonic experience they had expected. The show has become known for its edgy pop soundtrack created by the musician known as Labrinth, Timothy Lee McKenzie (All For Us, Never Felt So Alone). Yet in a now-deleted social media post, the artist announced he will be pulling his work entirely from the show just as it debuted the third season.
After making news earlier this week about having a reduced role in production as the studio looked to incorporate well-known producer and scoring legend Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Gladiator), McKenzie has now made it very clear that he does not want to be involved at all and has “removed whatever music I had left.” The prior announcement of co-production still left room for fans to be hopeful for at least a taste of some of those otherworldly sounds they had gotten used to as they watched their favorite Euphoria characters survive crashing and burning over and over again. Yet, with the recent revelation, it’s obvious the studio has switched to a much more traditional cinematic orchestral sound. Below is McKenzie’s statement in full:
“People will comfortably lie in this industry and still call themselves honest people. So, no cap, I decided to remove whatever music I had in [Euphoria]. I spoke to HBO, as far as I know, we are cool. I left because, last truth, when I work for someone, their vision is paramount to me. But I don’t let people treat me like shit.”
As mxdwn has previously reported, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the sound has been changed as there has been a five-year time skip in the storyline and the characters are older now and on to new adventures, far past the teenage angst that would warrant the sounds of Labrinth. Now the characters will be navigating the age-old struggle between good and evil, and exploring themes of sobriety and faith. Zimmer’s grand orchestral sound will pair wonderfully with whatever trials the cast of Euporia face this season.
Euphoria’s season premiere is currently available and streaming now on HBO Max.