The Shorthand for Fear
October is television’s spooky season, and music is the fastest way to set a terrifying mood. This month’s horror offerings, like Prime Video’s new adaptation of Stephen King’s 'Carrie' and Peacock's 'Friday the 13th' prequel 'Crystal Lake', rely on a shared
sonic vocabulary of dread. Composers use techniques that are deliberately unsettling. Think less about melody and more about texture: the high-pitched scrape of a violin bow, a low electronic hum that vibrates just at the edge of hearing, or sudden, percussive blasts that make you jump. Often, what’s most effective is the strategic use of silence, creating a vacuum of sound where the imagination runs wild with what might be lurking. This isn't music designed to be hummed; it's designed to activate a primal flight-or-fight response, signaling to your brain that whatever is about to happen on screen, it won't be pleasant. It’s a trick as old as cinema, perfected for the age of binge-watching.
A Wink, Not a Scream
Not all supernatural shows want to scare you. Take 'Eternally Yours', a new CBS comedy about a vampire couple navigating marriage. While the premise involves creatures of the night, the music’s primary job is to signal 'comedy'. Instead of atonal dread, you’ll likely hear a score that’s lighter and more melodic, perhaps with a quirky, harpsichord-inflected theme that winks at gothic horror without actually embracing it. The music tells the audience that the vampirism is the setup for the jokes, not the source of the terror. It creates a safe space for viewers to laugh at the characters' supernatural problems, like who left their coffin lid up again. The score works to domesticate the monster, assuring us that we're in for relatable, humorous situations, just with a slightly higher-than-average life expectancy.
Signaling Status and Stakes
On the other end of the spectrum are shows that announce their importance from the first note. Netflix’s literary adaptation 'East of Eden' will almost certainly employ a sweeping, orchestral score. The use of a full orchestra is a classic signifier of prestige and epic scale. It promises a big-budget, emotionally resonant story that tackles major themes, positioning the series as a significant cultural event, not just another show. Meanwhile, procedural franchises use music to signal reliability and action. 'NCIS: New York' will inevitably feature the percussive, synth-heavy, and rhythmically driving cues that have defined the 'NCIS' universe for decades. This sound doesn't just set a tone; it makes a brand promise. It tells loyal fans they're in familiar territory and new viewers to expect a fast-paced, case-of-the-week formula. The music is a uniform, instantly recognizable and telegraphing exactly the kind of satisfying, self-contained drama to expect.
Exploring the Uncanny Valley
Superhero and sci-fi scores have their own unique challenges, often blending the epic with the weird. Disney+'s 'VisionQuest', a spinoff of the surreal 'WandaVision', is a prime example. Its score must feel at home within the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe, likely using heroic brass and stirring strings to connect it to the Avengers. But it also needs to reflect the lead character's strange, synthetic nature and his journey of self-discovery. Expect the music to incorporate more electronic textures, synthesized voices, and perhaps dissonant or glitchy effects that mirror Vision's struggle with his own identity. The music has to be both epic and intimate, familiar and strange, grounding the high-concept story of an android trying to find his soul with an emotional core the audience can connect with. It’s a sonic tightrope walk, signaling a story that is both part of a massive universe and a uniquely personal journey.
