Euphoria is a trending tv show streaming on HBO Max that follows the lives of problematic high school students involving sensitive topics such as drug addiction, abusive relationships, sexual assault, and other very serious subjects. This show is for mature audiences and is quite explicit.
The music in Euphoria is very important because it has to convey the right feelings and emotions for the show. Euphoria is known for its glittery makeup and colors that deliver the message of the show in a very unique way. The soundtrack has to line up with the aesthetic of the show. The theme song of Euphoria is “Forever” by Labrinth. 33-year-old Timothy Lee McKenzie, better known by his stage name, Labrinth, was asked by the creator of Euphoria, Sam Levinson, to create new music specifically for this show. The music Labrinth created has this nostalgic and euphoric beat which perfectly captures the right vibe for Euphoria. Labrinth’s music evokes such a strange feeling of extreme happiness and extreme sadness at the same time which beautifully entails the narrator of the show, Rue, and her struggles with drug abuse.
“Still Don’t Know My Name” is another song by Labrinth that ended up going viral because of its chilling yet relatable effect for the listeners. Most Euphoria fans would agree that Labrinth is very important for the show because the music he created worked out so perfectly and really made him the musical genius behind the show. Another song by Labrinth that was created for Euphoria is entitled “Mount Everest”. This song has bouncy yet smooth beats and sounds that elicit such a specific feeling. Labrinth is very skilled in composing an eclectic mix of electronic, R&B, and soul music. Having the ability to listen to the music outside of the show and still be filled with similar emotions is a really fascinating experience. The music in television shows truly has a deeper meaning and effect than one might realize. Without this very specific musical taste that Labrinth brought to the table, Euphoria would not be the same.
The eccentric use of vocals, piano, keyboards, guitar, drums, and bass mixed with electric sounds such as clapping, humming, background choir, and voice control creates a particular genre of music that is almost indescribable in the best possible way. The soundtrack for Euphoria almost feels like a whole new genre of music in and of itself. This is very telling for the talent that Labrinth has and will hopefully only continue to improve and impress in season 2 of the show. In 2020, Euphoria won the Ivor Novello Award for the best television soundtrack.
It goes without showing that music has a very important and impactful role that weighs heavy on what a watcher or listener may experience. Not many people have the ability to control emotions in such a distinct way of doing so, which really emphasizes talent for those that are able to do this. Labrinth provides such a charming, emotion-filled rollercoaster with the Euphoria soundtrack.