Finneas O'Connell, the celebrated artist known mononymously as Finneas, has embarked on a distinctive musical journey, crafting the compelling score for the highly anticipated second season of Netflix's dark comedy-drama, 'Beef'. This season marks a significant departure in its musical approach, with Finneas pushing creative boundaries to develop a soundscape that is both pervasive and deeply integrated into the narrative. His work aims to resonate uniquely, moving beyond traditional background scoring to become a central character within the series, a creative decision he hopes will garner Emmy recognition.
The musical presence in 'Beef' Season 2 is immediately noticeable from the opening scenes. According to Finneas, the score is not merely incidental but a dominant auditory element, establishing the atmosphere and guiding the viewer through the initial ten minutes of each episode. He realized the score's profound impact during the mixing stage of the first episode, noting its prominence compared to other productions where music often serves a more subdued role. This intentional foregrounding of the score contributes to the series' chaotic and anxious undertones, with tracks like 'Cold Open' fluctuating between moments of peace and intense unease, while 'Music for Hospitals' evokes a sense of creeping dread.
Finneas's composition for 'Beef' Season 2 defies easy categorization. The extensive 32-song soundtrack, totaling an hour and a half, is described by the artist as an evolving tapestry of sound that grew increasingly unconventional. He embraced the ambiguity and originality of the series creator, Lee Sung Jin, allowing it to inform his musical choices. Unlike the first season, which drew heavily on 2010s millennial nostalgia, the new season presented an opportunity to explore a fresh sonic identity. While initial references still included that era, particularly through character inspirations like Oscar Isaac's Josh Martin and musical nods to bands like Hot Chip, the score ultimately diverged, becoming something 'weirder' and distinct.
The composer's immersion into the scoring process is likened to adjusting to the temperature of a jacuzzi: initially overwhelming, but ultimately a deeply satisfying experience of refinement and focus. By the later episodes, Finneas found himself armed with a full toolkit of musical ideas, allowing for a more streamlined and confident creative flow. Beyond the score, Finneas also made more direct contributions to the series, including the prominent placement of 'What Was I Made For,' the Oscar-winning track he co-wrote with his sister Billie Eilish, which features humorously in a scene with Charles Melton's character. Furthermore, Finneas makes a memorable cameo appearance in episode seven, portraying a comically narcissistic version of himself who exercises to his own music, a role he relished for its self-deprecating humor. This multi-faceted involvement highlights his deep connection to the project.
Ultimately, Finneas's experience scoring 'Beef' Season 2 proved to be a significant learning curve, particularly in understanding and leveraging the momentum within scenes. The journey, though initially challenging and exploratory, evolved into a confident command of the series' musical direction, demonstrating the magical process of creative discovery even amidst uncertainty.
