【Historical Archives】

One of the few things of which I am irrevocably sure is Historical Archivesthat background scores are the purest art in the movie business. Because they have to move a story forward, these soundtracks often provide us with clues amidst their addictive melodies. Stranger Things 2is now musically available for streaming and purchase, and it's the perfect way to immerse yourself once again in the show's irresistible ambiance.

The opening track, "Walkin in Hawkins" is a perfect welcome back to the world of Stranger Things. The light synth-beat, the eerie undertones, but a cheerier overall vibe than one would ascribe to Season 1 or the show at large.

Slow it down

Stranger Thingshas a more overall mellow soundtrack than many of the movies which inspired it, but tracks like "Home" and "Eulogy" (!!) showcase some of the best meditative background score.

Creepy af: "It's A Trap"

"It's a trap" is a nice way to increase your heart rate while sitting down. The shuddering track sounds almost like the demogorgon in Season 1 – it doesn't get as screechy, but it grates at the same nerves just enough to make your hairs stand on end.

Club banger: "The Return"

This is the song I want to play whenever I walk into a room and people contemplate the mysteries of my personality in slow-motion. What's that you say? Not a thing? Okay, turn up the volume anyway.

Secret References, perhaps?

"Escape," whether intentionally or not, contains a melody from Doctor Who's infamous "Doomsday" episode, in which the tenth Doctor and Rose were separated forever and which created evergreen sadness gifs. Odds are high on it being a coincidence, but now I'm afraid that Will and Eleven will end up leaning on opposite sides of a wall between two realms. Great!

The Stranger Things 2score gives less away than, say, Game of Thrones(which you'd think would be layered in secrecy but which this reporter quickly cracked), so the climactic track "Levitation" isn't different from the others apart from being slow and swelling with significance. Who is levitating, and do they come back down? Why does this track sound kind of like the real eulogy? IF YOU KILL HOPPER I SWEAR.

Stranger Things 2releases on Netflix Oct. 27. The soundtrack is now available.

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