Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal are back in action, taking down fungal zombies and going through an emotional rollercoaster in The Last of Us season 2. Based on the acclaimed Naughty Dog game The Last of Us Part II, the series raises the stakes after a five-year jump. Ellie (Ramsey) is growing up amidst a new society of survivors while her father-figure Joel (Pascal) confronts the actions of his violent past. To make matters worse, the zombies are smarter, and the humans are more divided this time.
The soundtrack complements the rustic dystopia of the series, accompanied by some Easter Eggs that will delight fans of the source material. As was the case with the games and the first season, Argentine maestro Gustavo Santaolalla returns to score the series along with co-composer David Fleming. Eagle-eyed viewers will also be able to spot Santaolalla strumming a guitar in episode 1’s New Year’s Eve dance.
Going by its source material, this season is bound to be more musical as Ellie picks up the guitar to escape from her existential dread. With Joel also tinkering with the six-stringer in episode 1, there are hints of more acoustic melancholia to follow.
How The Last of Us season 2 soundtrack has Easter Eggs for the game fans
So far, the soundtrack features needle drops by Seattle grunge legends Nirvana and folk-country outfit Crooked Still (who perform in the episode 1 party as Brittany and the Jug Boys). In fact, the Crooked Still tracks also featured in the gameplay trailer of The Last of Us Part II, and later in the actual game.
But the emotional high point of The Last of Us season 2 soundtrack was a cover of Shawn James’s Through the Valley (also the title of the second episode). In the game, Ellie can be seen hearing the song before she actually plays it in the later parts of the game. Ellie’s voice actor Ashley Johnson delivers a haunting spin on the folk number with a cover that also makes its way in episode 2. Yes, it’s the very song that plays over ‘that shocking character death’.
We’ll keep updating the tracks with every new episode, but here’s the playlist so far.
What’s on The Last of Us season 2 soundtrack?
Episode 1
The Last of Us Main Theme – Gustavo Santaolalla
Love Buzz – Nirvana
Little Sadie – Crooked Still
Ecstasy – Crooked Still
Longing – Gustavo Santaolalla
Episode 2
Through the Valley (cover) – Ashley Johnson (original by Shawn James)
Episode 3
The Path (from The Last of Us Part II) – Gustavo Santaolalla
Where can I watch The Last of Us season 2?
The seven-episode season airs weekly on HBO and Max for US audiences, and Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK. Viewers can gear up for new episodes at 9pm ET/PT on Sundays in the US and 2am on Mondays in the UK.
The Last of Us season 2: behind the filming locations for the latest series.
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