This week, The Karate Kid‘s Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence renewed their rivalry thanks to YouTube Red’s new series Cobra Kai, which reintroduces the martial arts world to the former bitter enemies over 30 years later. But while they might have aged (haven’t we all?), the latest entry in their decades-old feud is getting an all new, original soundtrack that would be perfectly at home in the 1984 classic. And you can hear three tracks from it exclusively right here.
The songs, all written by Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson, who co-scored the show’s soundtrack, will instantly transport you back to Under-18 All-Valley Karate Tournament. But these tunes don’t play like knockoffs; they are fitting homages to a beloved bygone era when sports movies came with their own music that made you want to get out there yourself and sweep the leg. Nothing says, “Get him a body bag!” like some kick-ass, high-powered synth.
If you can listen to the first track “Slither” without immediately wanting to begin your own training montage, you’re doing it wrong. It even feels as though “Miyagi Memories” captures the spirit of the late, great Pat Morita. But you can’t have a show called Cobra Kai without a song that makes it sound like someone is about to get hurt, which is why our favorite of the bunch is “Strike First.” Now that’s a song befitting an evil dojo.
We’re excited for the show because it looks like a fresh and original new way to explore one of our favorite franchises, and clearly the music comes from that same place of love.
Cobra Kai is available now on YouTube Red, and The Cobra Kai OST will be available digitally via iTunes, Spotify and most providers this Friday, May 4th from Madison Gate Records, and the expanded physical CD release will be out on May 22nd from La-La Land Records.”
Which of these songs is your favorite? Write on, write off, with yours in the comments below.
Featured Image: YouTube Red
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