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Spoilers For: Most of Season 2
Soundtracks are one of the best ways to establish a show’s tone. The right song can do more for a scene than some of the best dialogue. The wrong song can confuse an audience and distract from the story. The O.C.’s “Dear Sister” anyone?? Umbrella Academy on Netflix, is an hour long action show about a wacky family of superheroes trying to prevent the end of the world from happening. Season two aired in late July and set our characters in a new decade but with the same mission. The 1960’s Dallas backdrop opened the door for organic uses of old classics but the jukebox didn’t stop in the JFK era. UA already told us in season one to expect anything (anything) when it comes to this quirky show. Season two delivered us some more memorable needle drops. Some were absolute bangers that took this comic adaptation to the next level…. others left us wondering “what the hell was that?!?!”
Here are my picks for the best and worst songs in Umbrella Academy Season Two, including both centerpiece songs and the ones playing softly in the background.
Best
1. “Right Back Where We Started” - Maxine Nightingale
This song that plays in the first episode is a cheeky nod to the fact that even though it’s a new season, our gang is still up the same shenanigans. It also helps pepper in the flavor of the 60’s right off the bat.
2. “I Wonder What the Future Holds for Me” - Glenn Snow
We’re in Dallas, and to borrow a southern saying, you can’t swing a dead cat in Texas without hitting a twangy voice and the strum of a guitar. Glenn Snow’s song simmers in the background and the lyrics are an ironic reminder that we know exactly what the future holds for the crew.
3. “Major Tom” - Coming Home - Peter Schilling
Montages can’t exist without the right song. The opening of episode 5 “Valhalla”, we get a briefing of what our dear daddy Reginald Hargreeves has been up to prior to the storyline. Of course it’s the 60’s and the space race is revving up. This song and its spacey theme fits perfectly as we see a young Pogo get sent off to glory.
4. “Hello” - My Kullsvik
This is a controversial pick, but it’s not the last on the list. This swedish version of Adele’s smash hit “Hello” plays during an emotional funeral scene. At first when my ears figured the tune out, my face braced for cringe. But at the last minute, I decided to go with it. Maybe it’s because the show doesn’t take itself so seriously and neither should I. I’m glad I did because the swells of the song fit great with the viking send off.
5. “Everybody” - Backstreet Boys
Okay. Okay. Okay. OKAY! I know a lot of people hated this choice BUT I LOVED IT! First, it was unexpected, attention grabbing, and irreverent to the scene, which is exactly the way UA music should operate. I’m a 90’s kid and you know what, so are our heroes!
Worst
1. Crazy - Daniela Andrade
I’m over modern songs sung super slow and creepy. It’s overdone in movie trailers and emotional crescendos in TV shows. It just feels like a scam artist taking something from me that I wasn’t ready to give. Earn it some other way.
2. Twistin’ the Night Away - Sam Cooke
It’s not that I have a problem with this song. I love Sam Cooke. This whole scene just draaaaggged on forever. I don’t know if they were trying to recreate the spark of season one’s dance number to Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” or just burn some time but I took this number as a chance to check emails.
3. Bad Guy - The Interrupters
NO! Just NO!
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