Labrinth declares 'done' with euphoria amid season 3 troubles
Composer Labrinth has publicly severed ties with the HBO series Euphoria, citing frustration with the industry and the show itself. The musician’s outburst, posted on Instagram March 13, comes as the highly anticipated Season 3 grapples with years of production delays and creative shifts.
Labrinth's scathing message rocks euphoria's future
“I’M DONE WITH THIS INDUSTRY,” the artist wrote, adding a string of expletives and a direct jab at Columbia Records and Euphoria. The statement marks a significant escalation in tensions surrounding the show, particularly given Labrinth's pivotal role in crafting the series' distinctive sound for its first two seasons.
Labrinth, whose real name is Timothy Lee McKenzie, produced the original music and score for Euphoria’s first two seasons, contributing significantly to its dreamy aesthetic and emotional resonance. His involvement was a key element of the show’s critical acclaim. However, the arrival of legendary composer Hans Zimmer on Season 3, announced in July 2023, appears to have diminished Labrinth’s creative control. While initially enthusiastic about collaborating with Zimmer, his recent post suggests a profound disillusionment.
The shift in scoring duties raises questions about the direction of Euphoria’s sound. Will Season 3 retain the ethereal quality that defined its predecessors, or will Zimmer’s influence usher in a new sonic landscape? The timing of Labrinth’s declaration, just a month before the Season 3 premiere on HBO April 12, is particularly notable.
While Labrinth hasn’t explicitly ruled out future involvement with the franchise, his strong words indicate a definitive break. The protracted production timeline of Euphoria Season 3, plagued by delays, may have exacerbated underlying creative conflicts. The show’s unpredictable journey to the screen has clearly taken its toll.
The premiere of Euphoria Season 3 is set to occur on April 12. It remains to be seen how the series will navigate this creative upheaval and whether Labrinth's departure signals a broader shift in the show’s artistic identity. His exit leaves a void, a noticeable absence of the magic he brought to the screen.