The Bearded Trio

The Boroughs – A Modern Score with an 80s Soul I’ve been listening to John Paesano’s The Boroughs soundtrack a lot lately, and it’s one of those scores that immediately takes you somewhere familiar. It’s atmospheric, mysterious, and wrapped in that unmistakable 80s glow. There’s a warm, analogue sheen to it that instantly brings to mind the golden age of Amblin, suburban fantasy, and gentle sci‑fi wonder. Even though the show is set firmly in the present day, the music feels like it could sit comfortably alongside Poltergeist, Cocoon, Back to the Future, Close Encounters, and even Raiders of the Lost Ark. The show itself has been described as Stranger Things with adults, and that tone absolutely carries through into the score. There’s a Cocoon‑like warmth in the softer cues, a touch of Silvestri’s magic, and moments where I genuinely thought I was listening to James Newton Howard. Paesano leans into the mystery in a way that feels very Shyamalan, restrained and atmospheric with a quie...