Stranger Things is a popular Netflix show that is personally one of my favorites. Set in the 80’s, the show is particularly effective because of the soundtrack. The Duffer Brothers pitched the show to Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein’s synthwave act, S U R V I V E. After Netflix greenlit the project, the Duffers contacted the pair to score the real thing. Dixon and Stein’s used vintage synths to contribute to the 80’s theme and specifically the Roland SH-2 (bassline). They also utilize layering, which contributes to mood/depth. What works about this theme song is that it fits the theme of the rest of the show, as well as the rest of the soundtrack throughout each season of the series. Although the theme song is ominous, it still fits the particular time period of the show, as synths were used throughout the 80’s. Below, I will provide a few examples of some of the songs that fits the aesthetic and synthesizer sound of the series.
In the first two seasons, the songs I picked were lighter, but the two songs from the third and fourth seasons were darker. However, they all employ synthesizers. While each track sounds different, they still exhibit a cohesion that exists throughout the show. Another thing to add is that some songs pop up in different seasons. They can be slightly tweaked, but the specific sound of the track can key the audience into the mood of the scene.