Industry's Soundtrack: Banking's Dark Heartbeat

HBO's acclaimed series "Industry," recently renewed for its fifth and final season, has established a unique sonic identity, using music as its surprising heartbeat. This approach sets it apart from dramas like "Billions" and "Succession," emphasizing themes of greed, corruption, and ambition.

The show's creators, Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, intentionally integrate music and cultural references to enhance the narrative. For instance, Aristocrat Henry Muck's shower rendition of "He Is an Englishman" from Gilbert and Sullivan's opera "H.M.S. Pinafore" poignantly highlights the country's class system.

Initially aiming to make the trading floor sound like a dance floor, the music supervision team, led by Ollie White, adjusted the soundscape as characters moved into more opulent and darker settings. Composer Nathan Micay's score also evolved, becoming more sinister and otherworldly to reflect the heightened stakes and societal consequences.

Specific episodes were even built around particular songs, such as Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face" for Season Four, Episode Five, which hinted at a character's deceptive nature. The score for "Industry" consistently utilizes synthesizers, with themes for characters like Harper and Yasmin reflecting their journeys.

The finale featured Édith Piaf's "Mon Dieu" to capture the heartbreak between friends Yasmin and Harper, prioritizing emotional resonance over depicting horrific content. This deliberate musical storytelling underscores "Industry's" success in using sound to convey complex themes.