The final battle for Hawkins is here, and the music is a big part of the story. With the release of Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2, the show’s memorable soundtrack continues to mix classic hits with key plot moments. The songs from these new episodes are now available for fans to listen to.
The soundtrack follows the same release plan as the season itself. Volume 2 of the official soundtrack became available on digital music platforms on Friday, December 26. This release includes all the songs featured in the first seven episodes of the season. The final collection, Volume 3, will be released on January 1, 2026, combining all the music from the complete final season. For collectors, the full Stranger Things: Soundtrack from the Netflix Series, Season 5 album will be available on CD, vinyl, and cassette on January 30, 2026.
What Songs Are In Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2?
The music in Volume 2 features a smaller, more focused set of songs compared to the first batch of episodes. The tracklist centers on continuing stories, particularly Max’s struggle, and introduces some gritty new sounds for the show’s escalating conflict.
Here is the complete list of songs featured in Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2:
- Episode 5: “Shock Jock”
- “Heart and Soul” by Floyd Cramer. This classic instrumental piece provides a moment of calm or reflection.
- Episode 6: “Escape from Camazotz”
- “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush. The song remains a crucial lifeline for Max.
- “Running Up That Hill (Instrumental Cover Version)” by Rob Simonsen/London City Orchestra. An orchestral version underscores the episode’s drama.
- Episode 7: “The Bridge”
- “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush. Kate Bush’s iconic track appears again.
- “When It’s Cold I’d Like to Die” by Moby. This somber song, also used in Season 4, returns for another emotional moment.
- “Human Cannonball” by Butthole Surfers. The punk noise of this track signals intense, chaotic action.
The standout musical story of Volume 2 is the persistent use of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” The song, which became a global hit again after Season 4, continues to be a central part of Max’s (Sadie Sink) story arc. Its repeated appearance across multiple episodes in Volume 2 highlights its ongoing importance as a tool against Vecna.
The new addition of “Human Cannonball” by the Butthole Surfers marks a shift in tone. The song’s aggressive, noisy style is a departure from the pop and rock classics usually featured, matching the heightened tension and danger the characters face in the penultimate episode.
How The Final Season’s Soundtrack Is Being Released
The soundtrack release is a three-part event, just like the season. Volume 1 of the soundtrack came out in late November with the first four episodes. It featured period hits like Michael Jackson’s “Rockin’ Robin,” ABBA’s “Fernando,” and Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now”.
Volume 2 adds the music from Episodes 5, 6, and 7 to that existing collection. Volume 3, arriving on New Year’s Day 2026, will serve as the complete digital album, encompassing all the songs from the entire final season.
For physical media fans, the complete package arrives on January 30, 2026. Legacy Recordings will release the album in several formats:
- CD
- Vinyl (available in standard black and several exclusive colored variants from retailers like Target and Walmart)
- A red cassette tape, embracing the show’s 1980s aesthetic.
The album is produced by show creators Matt and Ross Duffer alongside the series’ longtime music supervisor, Nora Felder. Felder, who has won an Emmy for her work on the show, is known for her careful song selection that enhances both the era and the emotion of each scene.
“I particularly enjoy how ABBA’s Fernando not only feels so perfectly Karen as she preps for her bath time, but it also builds in a unique way that heightens the accelerating terror,” Felder said about a song choice from an earlier season.
Where To Listen And Watch The Final Episodes
You can listen to the Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2 soundtrack now on all major digital music streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
The episodes themselves are streaming exclusively on Netflix. Volume 2 of Season 5, containing Episodes 5, 6, and 7, premiered on Christmas Day, December 25. The series finale, Episode 8, will be released on Tuesday, December 31, 2025. In a special event, Netflix will also debut the finale episode in select theaters on the same day for a communal viewing experience.
New episodes drop on Netflix at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (8:00 PM Eastern Time) on their release dates. This means global fans can plan their watch parties accordingly. For example, the release time translates to 1:00 AM on January 1 in London and 6:30 AM on January 1 in India.
The show’s original score, the atmospheric synth music that creates the show’s unique sound, is composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein. A separate release for the Season 5 original score is expected to be announced soon.
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