Stranger Things, Vol. 1 [Original Television Series Soundtrack]
by Kyle Dixon
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Consequence
    Aug 24, 2016
    91
    This is music that also stands on its own, a work by turns eerie and sparse, but also tinged in the warm nostalgia of bike rides at dusk and the loyalty of friends.
  2. AllMusic
    Dec 22, 2016
    90
    While the show itself is clear about its influences, its soundtrack manages to do this too, while ultimately culminating as an in-depth and invigorating piece of atmospheric electronic music.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Aug 24, 2016
    90
    An hour of music which can be moving, transcendent, invigorating and relaxing all in a matter of minutes.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    Sep 30, 2016
    89
    Like composers Mike Post (Law & Order), Danny Elfman (The Simpsons), or Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks), Survive axis Dixon and Stein's heterodox hard-wiring ameliorates TV's ambient takeaway.
  6. Pretty Much Amazing
    Aug 25, 2016
    83
    In the show’s context, this soundtrack is a solid A. Evocative, thrilling, and dynamic, it’s everything you could possibly want from a TV score. On its own, it’s one of the most refreshingly forward-thinking electronic releases of the year, even if the tracklist could use some cleaning up.
  7. The Line of Best Fit
    Aug 24, 2016
    80
    Removed from the narrative of the series itself, every emotion is given the space to take its own form – and the result is as mysteriously powerful as the world that it hails from.
  8. Pitchfork
    Aug 24, 2016
    80
    Taken as a suite of music on its own merits, Volume One flows rather seamlessly—no small achievement. The canvas they paint on is remarkably spare and restrained.
  9. Resident Advisor
    Nov 8, 2016
    72
    For all the memories Stranger Things and its soundtrack evoke, they've also given us something new worth remembering.
  10. The Wire
    Nov 8, 2016
    50
    Stripped of the visuals, the seemingly endless succession of minor variations (75 tracks between the two collections) on the same sets of glossy and pleasant synth arpeggios can be at once bitty and overwhelming. [Oct 2016, p.63]
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Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 4 out of 39
  1. Joeggee
    Sep 25, 2022
    4
    Very coooooool i love it its very good oh my god thanx duffer brother for this coool series
  2. MaddoxWhite
    Apr 25, 2021
    9
    This OST is so amazing. It fits the show of the tone so perfectly, and yet fits on it's own.
  3. Jakerbox
    Jul 7, 2019
    10
    Fantastic music for studying and background music when working. Glorious synth beats that range from childhood innocence to spooky "monsterFantastic music for studying and background music when working. Glorious synth beats that range from childhood innocence to spooky "monster behind you" type stuff. "Kids" is my favorite track.… Full Review »
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