Bridgerton Season 4: Soundtrack Features Billie Eilish, Charli XCX & More
The second installment of Bridgerton’s fourth season, arriving on , continues the show’s tradition of reimagining contemporary hits as orchestral pieces. This time, the soundtrack features classical covers of songs by Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, and others, subtly mirroring the evolving romance between Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek.
The Netflix period drama, created by Chris Van Dusen and now under the showrunning of Jess Brownell, has become known for its unique musical approach, blending the elegance of the Regency era with the sounds of modern pop. This strategy isn’t merely aesthetic; the music selections are intentionally chosen to amplify emotional moments and reflect character arcs, according to sources familiar with the production. Composer Justin Kamps is credited with orchestrating these arrangements, aiming to make each episode feel like a “dream.”
Season four shifts its focus to Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and his unexpected connection with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). The narrative follows Benedict’s journey as he navigates his reluctance to settle down until a captivating encounter at his mother’s masquerade ball changes his perspective. The soundtrack, as revealed by Capitol Records, plays a crucial role in underscoring this evolving relationship.
The musical lineup for Part 2 is particularly noteworthy. Episode 405 opens with three covers: Peter Gregson’s orchestral take on Charli XCX’s “360” (which peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2024), Gemini Strings’ rendition of Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” (No. 2 in October 2024), and the Vitamin String Quartet’s cover of Teddy Swims’ No. 1 hit, “Lose Control.”
The following episode features Altum Quartet’s interpretation of The Cars’ 1978 hit “Just What I Needed” and Music Lab Collective’s cover of Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” The season finale, episode 408, will include Strings From Paris’ version of Camila Cabello’s “Never Be the Same” and Joni Fuller’s take on Lord Huron’s “The Night We Met.”
This isn’t the first time Bridgerton has successfully integrated contemporary music into its historical setting. The first part of season four featured orchestral reworkings of Coldplay’s “Life In Technicolor,” Taylor Swift’s “Enchanted,” and Paramore’s “All I Wanted,” demonstrating the show’s consistent commitment to this musical formula.
The success of Bridgerton has prompted Netflix to renew the series for both a fifth and sixth season, a decision announced last summer. In a letter to fans, Netflix expressed its enthusiasm for continuing the story, stating, “Rarely is this author granted the opportunity to share with you such information. It’s with great pleasure I can announce Bridgerton shall return for Seasons 5 and 6. Do celebrate accordingly.” This commitment signals the streaming giant’s confidence in the show’s enduring appeal and its ability to attract a broad audience.
The show’s popularity extends beyond its romantic storylines and musical choices. Critics have acknowledged its playful and progressive approach to the period drama genre, while also noting its reliance on familiar tropes. In a review of season three for NME, Nick Levine described the show as “warm and watchable,” praising Queen Charlotte’s extravagant wigs and Golda Rosheuvel’s captivating performance. However, Levine also pointed out the show’s occasional reliance on predictable plot devices, such as the emphasis on producing a male heir.
The continued success of Bridgerton highlights the growing demand for escapist entertainment that blends historical settings with contemporary sensibilities. The show’s ability to reimagine popular songs in a classical style has proven to be a significant draw for viewers, creating a unique and memorable viewing experience. As the series moves forward with its fifth and sixth seasons, it will be interesting to see how the show continues to innovate and captivate audiences with its distinctive blend of romance, drama, and music.
The full soundtrack for Part 2 of season four will be available on streaming services via Capitol Records on , coinciding with the release of the final four episodes on Netflix.