True Detective has long been known not just for its gripping crime drama and immersive visuals, but also for its distinctive musical identity. With the fourth season, subtitled Night Country, the series continued that tradition — combining a haunting original score with carefully selected existing songs that deepen the atmosphere, enhance storytelling, and mirror the emotional landscape of the mystery unfolding in the Alaskan wilderness.
A New Chapter in the Sound of True Detective
Released on January 14, 2024, True Detective: Night Country follows two detectives investigating the unexplained disappearance of eight men from a remote research station in the Arctic. The tone of this season is markedly cold, eerie, and introspective, and the music reflects that. The official soundtrack album — titled True Detective: Night Country (Soundtrack from the HBO® Original Series) — was released digitally on February 18, 2024, through WaterTower Music. It compiles the original score composed specifically for the series, as well as featured vocal performances and additional songs that appear in the episodes.
Original Score by Vince Pope
The backbone of the soundtrack is the original score composed by Vince Pope. Known for his work on shows such as Black Mirror: Be Right Back, No Offence, and Misfits, Pope brings a tense, atmospheric sound to Night Country. His compositions lean into ambient textures, sparse instrumentation, and evocative melodic motifs that mirror the vast, desolate Arctic setting — cold, isolating, and full of hidden depth.
The official score album features 28 tracks ranging from rhythmic tension pieces and haunting instrumental passages to evocative collaborations with featured vocalists, most notably Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq, whose contributions heighten both cultural resonance and emotional nuance. Tracks like Caribou (feat. Tanya Tagaq), The Night Country, and Tanya’s Lullaby blend the score’s overarching themes with indigenous musical textures that echo the harsh northern environment and the psychological complexity of the characters’ journey.
The soundtrack to the intro of the 4th season of the TV series “True Detective” is the song “Bury a Friend” by American singer Billie Eilish.
This is a dark and atmospheric song that is perfect for a detective series. It creates a sense of anxiety and suspense that keeps viewers on edge.
True Detective Season 4: Tracklist
Episode 1
- Twist And Shout by The Beatles (as heard in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
- Sweat (A La La La La Long) by Inner Circle
- Magpie by The Unthanks
- You Are Amen by Pollyester
- Black Sedan by Charlie Crockett
- Rescue Me by Unions
- State of the Art (AEIOU) by Jim James
Episode 2
- Song to the Siren (Take 7) by Tim Buckley
- Little Saint Nick by The Beach Boys
- You’re the First, the Last by Blue Moment
- Wannabe by Spice Girls
- I Love You Love You by Johnny Cash
- Pass Them By by Agnes Obel
- Get Down Tonight by KC and the Sunshine Band
Episode 3
- Sing Sing by The Bones of JR Jones
- Like I Do by Georgina Birch
- Limbo by Lissom, Julien Marchal & Lowswimmer
- I Follow Rivers by Marika Hackman
Episode 4
- Experience by Ludovico Einaudi, Daniel Hope & I Virtuosi Italian
- Everybody Dies by Billie Eilish
- Into Dust by Mazzy Star
- Buddy’s Journey by John Cardon Debney & Hollywood Studio Symphony
- Feel First Life by Jon Hopkins
- This Wild Darkness by Moby
Episode 5
- Auld Lang Syne by Stefano Civetta & London Voices:
- Warm Shadow by Fink
- Die 4 You by Perfume Genius
- Nothing Breaks Like a Heart (triple j Like a Version) by Clea
- Save Tonight by Zayde Wolf
Episode 6
- Twist And Shout by The Beatles (as heard in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
- The Only Shrine I’ve Seen by DARKSIDE
- Submerged by Tanya Tagaq
- Your Storyline’s Never Told by Vince Pope
Score Soundtrack
- Vince Pope – Caribou (feat. Tanya Tagaq)
- Vince Pope – Amputated Visions
- Vince Pope – Driving Desolation
- Vince Pope – The Night Country (feat. Tanya Tagaq)
- Vince Pope – In Their Eyes
- Tanya Tagaq – Tanya’s Lullaby
- Vince Pope – Danvers’s Visions
- Vince Pope – Family
- Vince Pope – Ashes
- Tanya Tagaq – Protest (feat. Vince Pope)
- Vince Pope – Burying Dad
- Vince Pope – Clark’s Confession
- Vince Pope – Danvers’s Nightmare
- Vince Pope – Echoes of Beyond
- Vince Pope – Investigating Tsalal
- Monica Martin – Twist and Shout
- Vince Pope – Never Coming Back
- Vince Pope – Not Looking to Be Found
- Vince Pope – Travis Dance
- Vince Pope – Tears
- Vince Pope – The Bodies (feat. Tanya Tagaq)
- Varna Marianne Nielsen – Annie Arise (feat. Vince Pope)
- John Hawkes – No Use
- Vince Pope – Into the Dredge
- Vince Pope – The Other Side
- Vince Pope – Trailer
- Vince Pope – Ice Station
- Vince Pope – Your Storyline’s Never Told (End Titles) [feat. Tanya Tagaq]
