CNN
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Of the many dark gifts showtime’s eerie hit series “Yellowjackets” serves up for us, the juiciest this season is by far the music. The show – which bounces between a troupe of teen soccer players trapped in the 1990s Canadian wilderness after a plane crash adn the survivors’ corresponding adult selves in the present day – embraces nostalgia, incorporating long-cherished tunes from the tail end of last century, with staples from Tori Amos, early Smashing Pumpkins, Massive Attack, Veruca Salt and much more.
The Soundtrack as a Character in “Yellowjackets”
“Yellowjackets” isn’t simply *using* music; it’s weaving it into the very fabric of its narrative.The show’s creators and music supervisor, Nora Felder, have masterfully curated a soundtrack that doesn’t just complement the scenes, but actively enhances their emotional impact and foreshadows the psychological unraveling of the characters. This isn’t background noise; it’s another layer of storytelling, a character in its own right.
In Sunday’s episode of “Yellowjackets,” alt-rock queen Alanis Morissette will debut a version of the show’s theme song, “No Return,” and has already released it as a single. This isn’t just a promotional tie-in; it’s a testament too the show’s deep connection to the musical landscape of the 90s and its ability to draw iconic artists into its orbit.
Unexpected Choices,Powerful Impact
One of the most unexpected and prosperous uses of throwback music came in the first episode of Season 2 last month,when Warren Kole’s Jeff had a moment to himself in the car after an intense tryst with wife Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) – during which he rocks out hard to Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” (sure,the track actually came out in 2000,but that doesn’t take away from its retro vibe). the choice is jarring, yet brilliant. It’s a song associated with teenage angst and rebellion, and its placement here underscores Jeff’s own internal turmoil and desperate attempts to recapture a sense of control.
In an interview with CNN, the show’s music supervisor, Nora Felder, explained that the Papa Roach song selection was scripted, and “served as a perfect physical outlet for Warren whose anxious feelings where riding high while sitting alone in his garage.” This highlights the intentionality behind the music choices – they aren’t arbitrary, but carefully considered to amplify the emotional resonance of each scene.
the Art of Musical Interpretation
Felder’s role extends beyond simply selecting pre-existing songs. Other standout moments in the script are hers to interpret,and she relishes the prospect to match those moments with the right songs from the period. “I re-immerse myself into the show’s era and spirit of the times as I start to build my playlists for the show,” she said. “The main thing I try to keep in mind is to just stay true to the story and let it tell me what it might need musically.”
This approach is evident in the placement of Tori Amos’s signature track “Cornflake Girl,” off her groundbreaking 1994 sophomore album “Under the Pink.” The song – which appropriately has the lyric “Things are getting kind of gross” just as teen Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) is about to ingest something unthinkable – “came to mind pretty quickly as a possibility” to Felder. “I felt that Amos’s lyrics could serve as a befitting launchpad for the first episode’s ending – not only as a reflection of Young Shauna’s state of mind,” she noted, “but also as a reflection of the past and present moods and mentalities lived out by the other ‘Yellowjackets’ characters in season 2.”
A Collaborative Process
felder’s work is challenging, as the ideal song selection can evolve during production due to technical constraints or changes in the scene’s needs, influenced by the actors’ performances. “Everyone on the team always wants the best song-select possible to enhance the story,” she said. “When we get to post (production), the common question that comes up among us during the collaboration process is simply, ‘Do we think we can beat this?’”
She emphasizes that there isn’t a rigid formula. “I don’t believe there is an exact roadmap into how to merge songs with any given scene or story.” Instead, she relies on intuition and a deep understanding of the show’s themes. “I always say, ‘Let the picture tell you what it needs.’ (Kind of like the Wilderness I guess?).”
Haunting Soundscapes and Symbolic Choices
Another moment that feels perfectly melded to the music playing is the now-infamous ‘last supper’ scene from last week’s second episode, which boasts Radiohead’s “Climbing By The Walls” from their mindblowing 1995 album “OK Computer” on the soundtrack. The song’s unsettling atmosphere and lyrics about inner turmoil perfectly mirror the characters’ descent into desperation and the disturbing events unfolding on screen.
“The song seems to refer to those unspeakable monsters that can live in one’s head,” felder noted,referencing the strange collective hallucinations the group undergoes while cannibalizing one of their own. “I can’t think of a more perfect way to hauntingly accent (that) scene, a.k.a. ‘the feast.’”
The use of music extends beyond individual scenes,permeating the show’s overall atmosphere. The Season 2 trailer, featuring Florence + The Machine’s haunting rendition of No Doubt’s “Just A Girl.” promptly sets a tone of dread and foreboding. florence Welch herself expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I’m such a huge fan of ‘Yellowjackets’ and this era of music, and this song especially had a huge impact on me growing up, so I was thrilled to be asked to interpret it in a ‘deeply unsettling’ way for show.” she added, “We tried to really add some horror elements to this iconic song to fit the tone of the show. And as someone who’s first musical love was pop punk and gwen Stefani, it was a dream job.”
Alanis Morissette echoed this sentiment, stating, “I see parallels between ‘Yellowjackets’ and my outlook while songwriting: the sheer intensity, that going for the jugular with no fear around going for the profane. I’ve strived my entire career to support the empowerment of women and sensitives, and see the world through the female lens, and what’s so marvelous about this show is that each character is allowed to be dynamic and complex as opposed to oversimplified, reduced versions of women. I feel honoured to be a part of the legacy of ‘Yellowjackets.’”
the Enduring Power of 90s Nostalgia
“Yellowjackets” isn’t just capitalizing on 90s nostalgia; it’s using it as a powerful storytelling tool. The music of that era evokes a specific emotional landscape – a blend of angst, rebellion, and vulnerability – that perfectly complements the show’s themes of trauma, survival, and the complexities of female identity.By carefully selecting songs that resonate with thes themes, the show creates a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant experience for the viewer.
The success of “Yellowjackets” demonstrates the power of music in television. It’s not merely an accompaniment to the story; it’s an integral part of it, shaping our understanding of the characters and their experiences. As the show continues to unfold, it will be engaging to see how Nora Felder and the creative team continue to use music to deepen the show’s haunting and unforgettable atmosphere.
