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Music of The Last of Us Part II

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A man with dark gray hair talking into a microphone, looking beneath the camera
A man with short brown hair smiling to the left of the camera
Gustavo Santaolalla (left) returned to compose the score for The Last of Us Part II, while Mac Quayle (right) provided additional combat music.

The music for the 2020 action-adventure survival horror video game The Last of Us Part II, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, was composed by musician Gustavo Santaolalla, with additional music composed by Mac Quayle. The original score album was released digitally alongside the game in June 2020, featuring the work of Santaolalla and Quayle. An additional extended play, Covers and Rarities, was released in September 2021, featuring five cover songs from the game and its marketing performed by Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, who portrayed Joel and Ellie, respectively. The game also received two single releases as vinyl records: one in June 2018 featuring music from the trailers, and one in the Ellie Edition of the game in June 2020.

Santaolalla had previously composed the music for The Last of Us (2013). He created music based on the story pitch by creative director Neil Druckmann, and his work often inspired Druckmann to write new scenes. Santaolalla continued to use his signature instrument, the ronroco, as he felt that it enhanced Ellie's qualities; the game's main theme also uses a banjo, which he felt reflected its American setting and origin. While Santaolalla was tasked with creating the emotional, character-based tracks, Quayle contributed to the game's combat music. He was hired in 2018 due to his work on the television series Mr. Robot, and aimed to create a suspenseful sound to keep the action moving and reflect the anxiety-inducing gameplay.

The development team received permission to create cover versions of several songs from artists such as Pearl Jam, Shawn James, and A-ha. The covers became a significant part of the characters and their development; Ellie's guitar allows her to access memories and emotions, and Pearl Jam's song "Future Days" acts as a theme between her and Joel throughout the game. Critical reception to the music was positive, as reviewers felt that it connected appropriately with the narrative and added tension to the gameplay. It was nominated for numerous awards.

Production and composition

Gustavo Santaolalla returned to compose and perform the score for The Last of Us Part II, as he had done with the first game.[1] He was tasked by the team at developer Naughty Dog with creating the emotional, character-based tracks. Santaolalla worked on the game for around two to three years.[2] Instead of scoring directly to the game's material, he created music based on the story pitch by creative director and co-writer Neil Druckmann, and the two later collaborated to fit the music into the scenes, where it would occasionally require a minor rewrite.[3] He delivered small parts of the music over time, often inspiring Druckmann to write new scenes based on the tracks. With elements of the game still in development, Santaolalla worked with the story, characters, and artwork to craft the score, though he felt that his work on the first game ensured that he was already familiar with "the visual language".[2] He wanted to maintain and extend motifs from the first game while introducing new elements.[2] Santaolalla continued to use the ronroco, his signature instrument used in the first game's main theme, as he felt it enhanced Ellie's qualities through feminine sounds. Part II's main theme uses a banjo, which Santaolalla felt reflected the game's American setting and origin; he was initially hesitant in using it, but the developers encouraged him to do so.[4] The music during Joel's death scene intended to build dread but feel inevitable, as opposed to the surprise and sadness invoked during Sarah's death in the first game.[5] Druckmann wanted to achieve moments in which the music conveys narrative elements: after Abby collects the medicine to save Yara, the music symbolizes her redemption; when she protects Lev in the game's conclusion, the music represents their relationship.[3]

Mac Quayle contributed to the game's combat music.[6] He was hired on the project in early 2018; the developers were familiar with his previous work on the television series Mr. Robot. Largely unfamiliar with gaming, Quayle immediately bought a PlayStation 4 and a copy of The Last of Us to familiarise himself with the series before meeting to discuss the second game.[7] He began writing ideas for the game in May 2018, and delivered his final music in January 2020; he found the deadlines much more relaxed compared to film and television projects. The team discussed potential collaborations between Santaolalla and Quayle, including sharing stems and sessions, though ultimately their collaborations were minimal; they performed a three-day recording session in the PlayStation offices in October 2018, where they experimented with different sounds and instruments to create "grooves and textures" that were later used in the game.[7] Quayle attributed the similarities between their work to the developers "really knowing what they wanted".[7] Quayle's music aimed to represent the "relentless tension" of the gameplay sequences, consistently moving the action forward and heightening the suspense and anxiety.[7] The developers wanted to avoid music that sounded "too electronic or too organic and natural".[7] Quayle was provided with videos of early gameplay captures for inspiration, instead of composing directly to scenes. He used Logic Pro for his work, which he used to heavily manipulate the several live acoustic instruments. His favorite instruments on the project were the bass guitar and cello; for the latter, he brought in a professional cellist.[7]

Albums

Music from The Last of Us Part II

Music from The Last of Us Part II
Soundtrack album by
Crooked Still and Gustavo Santaolalla
ReleasedJune 12, 2018
GenreSoundtrack
Length5:30
LabelSony Interactive Entertainment
Singles from Music from The Last of Us Part II
  1. "The Last of Us (Cycles)"
    Released: September 27, 2018

Music from The Last of Us Part II is a single consisting of two songs from the game: "Little Sadie" performed by Crooked Still, and "The Last of Us (Cycles)" by Santaolalla.[8] The vinyl record, mastered by James Plotkin,[9] was released in June 2018 following the game's presentation at E3, which featured the song "Little Sadie". It was available to purchase in blue from Mondo, and in red at the PlayStation Gear Store at E3.[8] "The Last of Us (Cycles)" was released digitally as an individual single on September 27, 2018.[10]

Side A
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Little Sadie"Crooked Still2:35
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
2."The Last of Us (Cycles)"Gustavo Santaolalla2:55
Total length:5:30

Ellie Edition

Ellie Edition
Soundtrack album by
Gustavo Santaolalla
ReleasedJune 19, 2020
GenreSoundtrack
Length4:06
LabelSony Interactive Entertainment

A single featuring two songs from the game was released as a seven-inch vinyl record with the Ellie Edition of The Last of Us Part II on June 19, 2020. The songs, composed and performed by Santaolalla, were later released in the Original Soundtrack under different titles. The Ellie Edition was exclusive for sale in the United States.[11][12]

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Purpose in Loss"Gustavo Santaolalla1:42
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
2."Desolation Road"Santaolalla2:24
Total length:4:06

Original Soundtrack

The Last of Us Part II
(Original Soundtrack)
Close-up of Ellie's face (with splashes of blood). On the left is the text "The Last of Us Part II", with music credits below.
Soundtrack album by
Gustavo Santaolalla and Mac Quayle
ReleasedJune 19, 2020
GenreSoundtrack
Length76:56
LabelSony Interactive Entertainment
Producer
  • Gustavo Santaolalla
  • Aníbal Kerpel
  • Scott Hanau

The Last of Us Part II (Original Soundtrack) comprises songs from the game, composed and produced by Santaolalla. The soundtrack spans 28 tracks, covering a duration of 77 minutes. Sony Interactive Entertainment first published the album digitally on June 19, 2020.[13] It was produced by Santaolalla, Aníbal Kerpel, and Scott Hanau, and mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering by Patricia Sullivan.[13] A vinyl record version of the score by Mondo was announced on September 25, 2020, mastered by James Plotkin and produced by Shannon Smith, with the cover designed by Tula Lotay.[13][14]

In the context of the game, the music received praise. IGN's Jonathon Dornbush lauded Santaolalla's "moving" score,[15] and Andy McNamara of Game Informer found that the music added tension.[16] Kevin Dunsmore of Hardcore Gamer wrote that the "haunting and subtle melodies blend into the world seamlessly".[17] Eurogamer's Oli Welsh praised the score for its combination of banjo and electronics.[18] The soundtrack was nominated for Best Physical Soundtrack Release at the 18th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards in April 2021.[19]

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Last of Us Part II"Gustavo Santaolalla2:52
2."Unbound"Santaolalla1:57
3."Longing"Santaolalla1:45
4."Eye for an Eye"Mac Quayle2:37
5."It Can't Last"Santaolalla2:19
6."The Cycle of Violence"Quayle5:04
7."Reclaimed Memories"Santaolalla1:42
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
8."Cordyceps"Quayle2:40
9."Longing (Redemptions)"Santaolalla1:42
10."Restless Spirits"Santaolalla2:12
11."Chasing a Rumor"Santaolalla2:54
12."They're Still Out There"Quayle3:32
13."Unbroken"Santaolalla4:38
14."The Rattlers"Quayle3:41
Side C
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."The Obsession"Santaolalla1:21
16."Soft Descent"Santaolalla1:50
17."The WLF"Quayle3:39
18."A Wolf's Ghost"Santaolalla2:24
19."Masks On"Quayle2:02
20."It Can't Last (Home)"Santaolalla4:29
21."Inextinguishable Flames"Santaolalla0:59
Side D
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
22."Allowed to be Happy"Santaolalla2:48
23."Collateral"Santaolalla2:22
24."The Cycle Continues"Quayle3:28
25."All Gone (The Promise)"Santaolalla3:03
26."Grieving"Santaolalla2:19
27."The Island"Quayle4:13
28."Beyond Desolation"Santaolalla2:24
Total length:76:56

Covers and Rarities

The Last of Us Part II:
Covers and Rarities
Soundtrack album by
Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Chris Rondinella
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2021
GenreSoundtrack
Length19:27
LabelSony Interactive Entertainment
Producer

The Last of Us Part II: Covers and Rarities comprises five cover songs from the game and its marketing, produced by Santaolalla and Quayle.[20] The covers are performed by actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, who portrayed Joel and Ellie respectively, as well as guitarist Chris Rondinella.[20] Sony published the album digitally on September 27, 2021, as part of The Last of Us Day. A vinyl record version was made available for preorder simultaneously,[21][22] with art designed by Dani Pendergast and liner notes written by Druckmann.[20] Johnson and Baker's cover of "Wayfaring Stranger" plays over the game's credits; completing the game on the "Grounded" difficulty setting will play Baker's cover of "Future Days", while completing on permadeath plays Johnson's cover of "Through the Valley".[23]

The in-game covers became a significant part of the characters and their development, namely Ellie with her guitar. Druckmann found that Ellie's guitar-playing allowed her access to memories and emotions; when she loses her fingers in the game's conclusion, it serves to sever ties to her memories and relationships.[3] The song "Future Days" by Pearl Jam acts as a theme between Ellie and Joel throughout the game. The song was previously featured as part of One Night Live in an unbroadcast epilogue wherein Joel plays the song to Ellie.[24] According to Druckmann, Sony was doubtful that Naughty Dog would receive permission to use the song; the band's manager agreed after hearing the story pitch, receiving a PlayStation 4 and a copy of the original game, and an advanced screening of a trailer.[6] Although the song's album Lightning Bolt was released two weeks after the onset of the in-game outbreak in September 2013, Druckmann recalled seeing a live performance of the song several months earlier in July, and felt that its inclusion was realistic.[3]

An acoustic cover of "True Faith", a song originally by New Order, was used in an animated commercial for the game.[25] The cover is specifically inspired by a version of the song by Lotte Kestner, though she was not credited at the time; when Kestner reached out to Naughty Dog, Druckmann issued an apology and ensured proper credit.[26] Shawn James was contacted by Sony in mid-2014 for permission to create a cover of his song "Through the Valley" for an upcoming game; James was unaware of how it would be used until he watched the game's first trailer at the PlayStation Experience in December 2016. Druckmann had specifically enjoyed the song and felt that it aligned with the game's darkness and emotion.[27] The song went viral after the trailer's release, charting atop the Spotify viral charts in the United Kingdom.[28] For the game's launch, Tash Sultana covered James's song for PlayStation Australia.[29] Naughty Dog was able to secure permission to use "Take On Me" by A-ha in one of the game's scenes due to co-writer Halley Gross's friendship with Lauren Savoy, the wife of A-ha guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy. Druckmann found that the song's lyrics addressed the game's themes in a lighthearted manner.[3] He felt that the scene featuring the song being optional made it feel more important to the player, though the team considered making it unmissable instead.[30] After Johnson worked with vocal coach Melissa Reese, the team felt that her singing was too refined, and asked her to consciously sing worse.[3] Johnson and Baker performed "Wayfaring Stranger" in-character in the opening of a PlayStation Experience panel for the game in December 2017.[31]

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Length
1."Future Days"Eddie VedderTroy Baker3:40
2."True Faith (Inspired by Lotte Kestner's Cover)"Bernard Sumner, Gillian Lesley Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Hague, Stephen Paul David MorrisAshley Johnson, Chris Rondinella4:19
3."Through the Valley"Shawn James MavridesJohnson, Rondinella3:13
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Length
4."Take On Me"Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket, Pal WaaktaarJohnson, Rondinella3:51
5."Wayfaring Stranger" Johnson, Baker4:21
Total length:19:27

Accolades

Santaolalla and Quayle's work on the game was nominated for at British Academy Games Awards,[32] Game Audio Network Guild Awards,[19] The Game Awards,[33] Hollywood Music in Media Awards,[34] New York Game Awards,[35] and Webby Awards; it won the award for People's Voice at the Webby Awards.[36] Scott Hanau, Rob Goodson, and Scott Shoemaker were also nominated for Outstanding Music Supervision at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[34]

References

  1. ^ Pereira, Chris (December 3, 2016). "In The Last of Us: Part 2, You Play as Ellie". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Gilbert, Ben (July 11, 2020). "Inside the music of The Last of Us 2 with composer Gustavo Santaolalla". TechRadar. Future plc. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Maher, Cian (August 20, 2020). "In 'The Last of Us Part II,' music often speaks louder than words". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  4. ^ Rao, Lorena (September 2, 2020). "Dal premio Oscar per il cinema a The Last of Us 2, intervista al compositore Gustavo Santaolalla" [From the Oscar for cinema to The Last of Us 2, interview with composer Gustavo Santaolalla]. Fanpage.it (in Italian). Ciaopeople Media Group. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  5. ^ Spicer, Christian; Druckmann, Neil; Gross, Halley; Baker, Troy; Johnson, Ashley; Woodward, Shannon (July 14, 2020). ""They should be terrified of you" - Ellie". The Official The Last of Us Podcast (Podcast). Sony Interactive Entertainment. Event occurs at 6:22. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  6. ^ a b White, Sam (June 9, 2020). "The Last of Us Part II: how Naughty Dog made a classic amidst catastrophe". GQ. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Behind the Additional Music of The Last of Us Part II". Composer Magazine. Spitfire Audio. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Lowe, Scott (June 12, 2018). "The Last of Us Part II @ E3 2018: Full Schedule, New Merch and Mondo Vinyl, and More". Naughty Dog. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Naughty Dog (2018). The Music of Last of Us Part II (Liner notes). Sony Interactive Entertainment.
  10. ^ Khan, Imran (September 27, 2018). "The Last Of Us Part II Main Theme Music Released". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  11. ^ Sitzes, Jenae (March 13, 2020). "The Last Of Us Part 2's Ellie Edition Back In Stock, But Probably Not For Long". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Dwiar, Rob (June 19, 2020). "The best The Last of Us 2 prices and deals from the game and accessories". GamesRadar. Future plc. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c Naughty Dog (2020). The Last of Us Part II (Original Soundtrack) (Liner notes). Sony Interactive Entertainment.
  14. ^ Lowe, Scott (September 25, 2020). "The Last of Us Day 2020 Preview: Celebrate with New Posters, Collectibles, and More". PlayStation Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (June 12, 2020). "The Last of Us Part 2 Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  16. ^ McNamara, Andy (June 12, 2020). "The Last of Us Part II Review – A Perfect Circle". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  17. ^ Dunsmore, Kevin (June 12, 2020). "Review: The Last of Us Part II". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  18. ^ Welsh, Oli (June 16, 2020). "The Last of Us Part 2 review - a gut-wrenching sequel". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Ferme, Antonio (April 28, 2021). "G.A.N.G. Awards Winners: 'The Last of Us Part II' Leads With Eight Wins". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  20. ^ a b c "The Last of Us Part II: Covers And Rarities EP". Mondo. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  21. ^ Zheng, Jenny (September 27, 2021). "The Last Of Us 2 Covers And Rarities Album Now Available To Stream". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  22. ^ Szpytek, Peter Hunt (September 27, 2021). "'The Last of us Part 2: Covers and Rarities' Now Available to be Streamed". Game Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Barker, Sammy (August 22, 2020). "The Last of Us 2 Changes the Credits on Grounded, Permadeath". Push Square. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  24. ^ Miller, Greg; Druckmann, Neil; Johnson, Ashley; Baker, Troy (June 25, 2020). "Last of Us 2 Spoilercast". Gamescast (Podcast). Kinda Funny. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  25. ^ Winslow, Jeremy (June 2, 2020). "The Last Of Us Part 2's New Extended Commercial Features Ellie Snging A Lovely Tune". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  26. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (June 10, 2020). "The Last of Us Part 2 dev apologizes for uncredited Ellie song". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  27. ^ "Shawn James Interview | The Last Of Us 2 | Through the valley". Otantique Records. June 9, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  28. ^ Imms, Jason (December 7, 2016). "The Last of Us Part 2 Trailer Track Reaches #1 on UK Spotify Viral 50 Chart". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 11, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  29. ^ O'Connor, James (June 18, 2020). "The Last of Us Part 2--Celebrate Launch With Musician Tash Sultana's Cover Of This Iconic Song". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  30. ^ Miller et al. 2020, 1:47:47.
  31. ^ Barker, Sammy (December 12, 2017). "PSX 2017: Listen to Ashley Johnson, Troy Baker Perform The Wayfaring Stranger". Push Square. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  32. ^ Ankers, Adele (March 2, 2021). "BAFTA Games Awards 2021 Nominations Announced". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  33. ^ Park, Gene (November 18, 2020). "Here are the nominees for The Game Awards 2020". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  34. ^ a b Willman, Chris (January 15, 2021). "Hollywood Music in Media Awards Announces 2021 Nominees; Kenny Loggins Set for Lifetime Honor (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  35. ^ Makuch, Eddie (January 5, 2021). "Game Of The Year Nominees Announced For New York Game Awards, Hosted By Reggie Fils-Aime". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  36. ^ "The Last of Us Part II". Webby Awards. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
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