How long-form television is transforming the soundtrack landscape
In a world where content is king, long-form television is ushering in a revolution not just in storytelling, but in how soundtracks are created and consumed. Today, audiences have access to more diverse and complex storytelling than ever before. As streaming services pump billions into original programming, the role of music in this brave new world is beginning to eclipse its cinematic counterpart, creating a fascinating shift in the soundscape of long-form television.
Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have changed the landscape not just by offering a never-ending library of binge-worthy shows but by giving composers new canvases on which to paint their melodic strokes. When considering music for TV, we've journeyed from classic themes like Lalo Schifrin's Mission: Impossible to incisive scores in shows like Stranger Things, which have sparked cult followings of their own.
These platforms have changed the game by offering what movies traditionally didn't—extended timelines to flesh out musical themes, character developments seamlessly tied to carefully crafted harmonies, and the ability to experiment with trans-genre elements. Consider the haunting melodies of Marc Streitenfeld's work on The Terror or the evocative modern jazz of Nicholas Britell for Succession; such scores demonstrate how TV musicians can forge true emotional connections with their audiences over time.
Moreover, these soundtracks often see a more varied set of musical languages, since TV showrunners might tap into eclectic mixings of pop, classical, and experimental sounds. Ramin Djawadi, known for his awe-inspiring composition for Game of Thrones, has continually stretched his creative muscles in other TV projects, embracing the opportunity to intertwine tribal sounds with orchestral frameworks, which keep audiences on edge.
The resurgence of vinyl and the growing appetite for collector's edition soundtracks means labels are more receptive to releasing television scores. Curated playlists born out of TV soundtracks make their way to Spotify top lists, as tracks from The Crown or The Mandalorian interface with listeners beyond the screen.
Yet the path from innovative to burnt out in this sphere is a narrow one. The demand for distinctiveness requires composers to deliver memorable yet subtle scores that stand up to the test of streaming binge culture, where cliffhangers dictate pacing, and sound must enhance narrative twists without overpowering them.
In a medium where episodes might last up to seven seasons, the pressure on a composer to maintain cohesion, progression, and memorability is undeniable. As impactful as this job is fascinating, the interaction between storyline and score creates an artform unto itself—painting with sounds where colors change episode by episode.
Additionally, emerging technology enables composers to explore previously unreachable sounds. Cutting-edge software allows unprecedented layering and precision. This also means that creators can now weave together things like Foley effects and traditional instruments into audioscapes that essentially become a character.
Of course, challenges abound as the industry evolves. Questions of ownership and royalties plague an already complicated licensing industry. With increasing global access to TV content, it’s becoming critical to establish systems that fairly reward composers for their contributions across international borders.
Ultimately, it could be argued that the golden age of television is also the dawn of a golden age for TV music. It’s a secret garden tending towards modern epics, giving the humble soundtrack more permanency in cultural memory. What was once considered a mere accompaniment to the visual layer has graduated into the limelight. Whether evocative, haunting or electrifying, the music that's emerging from television provides insight into the human psyche while heightening our experience of the stories they accompany.
With directors and producers more openly embracing musical innovation, we might just witness a generation of soundtracks that not only tell a thousand tales but perhaps even redefine what it means to hear a story.
Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have changed the landscape not just by offering a never-ending library of binge-worthy shows but by giving composers new canvases on which to paint their melodic strokes. When considering music for TV, we've journeyed from classic themes like Lalo Schifrin's Mission: Impossible to incisive scores in shows like Stranger Things, which have sparked cult followings of their own.
These platforms have changed the game by offering what movies traditionally didn't—extended timelines to flesh out musical themes, character developments seamlessly tied to carefully crafted harmonies, and the ability to experiment with trans-genre elements. Consider the haunting melodies of Marc Streitenfeld's work on The Terror or the evocative modern jazz of Nicholas Britell for Succession; such scores demonstrate how TV musicians can forge true emotional connections with their audiences over time.
Moreover, these soundtracks often see a more varied set of musical languages, since TV showrunners might tap into eclectic mixings of pop, classical, and experimental sounds. Ramin Djawadi, known for his awe-inspiring composition for Game of Thrones, has continually stretched his creative muscles in other TV projects, embracing the opportunity to intertwine tribal sounds with orchestral frameworks, which keep audiences on edge.
The resurgence of vinyl and the growing appetite for collector's edition soundtracks means labels are more receptive to releasing television scores. Curated playlists born out of TV soundtracks make their way to Spotify top lists, as tracks from The Crown or The Mandalorian interface with listeners beyond the screen.
Yet the path from innovative to burnt out in this sphere is a narrow one. The demand for distinctiveness requires composers to deliver memorable yet subtle scores that stand up to the test of streaming binge culture, where cliffhangers dictate pacing, and sound must enhance narrative twists without overpowering them.
In a medium where episodes might last up to seven seasons, the pressure on a composer to maintain cohesion, progression, and memorability is undeniable. As impactful as this job is fascinating, the interaction between storyline and score creates an artform unto itself—painting with sounds where colors change episode by episode.
Additionally, emerging technology enables composers to explore previously unreachable sounds. Cutting-edge software allows unprecedented layering and precision. This also means that creators can now weave together things like Foley effects and traditional instruments into audioscapes that essentially become a character.
Of course, challenges abound as the industry evolves. Questions of ownership and royalties plague an already complicated licensing industry. With increasing global access to TV content, it’s becoming critical to establish systems that fairly reward composers for their contributions across international borders.
Ultimately, it could be argued that the golden age of television is also the dawn of a golden age for TV music. It’s a secret garden tending towards modern epics, giving the humble soundtrack more permanency in cultural memory. What was once considered a mere accompaniment to the visual layer has graduated into the limelight. Whether evocative, haunting or electrifying, the music that's emerging from television provides insight into the human psyche while heightening our experience of the stories they accompany.
With directors and producers more openly embracing musical innovation, we might just witness a generation of soundtracks that not only tell a thousand tales but perhaps even redefine what it means to hear a story.