Netflix’s Stranger Things, undoubtedly the streaming service’s sleeper-hit of the Summer, had many wonderful facets that contributed to it’s overall success, from the cool, developed, and sympathetic characters to the original storyline and retro 80’s nostalgia. Tying all of those successful aspects together is a delightful, electro-rock soundtrack, scored by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, both members of the Austin-based band Survive.
According to Pitchfork, the first of two volumes will be released digitally this Friday, August 12, with the second volume arriving on August 19. The CD release will come on September 23.
In a statement released by Kyle Dixon and reported by SlashFilm, the Survive band member detailed the origins of the band’s involvement with the show: “The directors were previously fans of S U R V I V E. They used a song from our first LP in a trailer they made to pitch their concept to Netflix. Once the show was picked up, they reached out to see if we were available to score the show.”
Michael Stein commented on the artistic style for the soundtrack: “We discussed having a classic tone and feel to the music for the show but being reserved enough that it wasn’t ’80s cheese, while offering a refreshing quality so that felt modern. This was one of the qualities that drew them to our music in the first place. Having a familiarity with classic synths worked, but with an overall forward thinking approach.”
Stranger Things has made a huge splash since its July 15 release. According to one (admittedly disputed) Business Insider article, there is evidence that it is the third-most streamed original series in Netflix history within the ‘live+16 days’ timeframe with well over 8 million viewers. What cannot be disputed is that the series is entertaining and the soundtrack is excellent: watch for the digital OST release this Friday.
The Volume 1 track list is as follows:
01. Stranger Things
02. Kids
03. Nancy and Barb
04. This Isn’t You
05. Lay-Z-Boy
06. Friendship
07. Eleven
08. A Kiss
09. Castle Beyers
10. Hawkins
11. The Upside Down
12. After Sarah
13. One Blink For Yes
14. Photos in the Woods
15. Fresh Blood
16. Lamps
17. Hallucinations
18. Hanging Lights
19. Biking to School
20. Are You Sure?
21. Agents
22. Papa
23. Cops Are Good at Finding
24. No Weapons
25. Walking Through the Nether
26. She’ll Kill You
27. Run Away
28. No Autopsy
29. Dispatch
30. Joyce and Lonnie Fighting
31. Lights Out
32. Hazmat Suits
33. Theoretically
34. You Can Talk to Me
35. What Else Is There To Do?
36. Hawkins Lab