‘The Boroughs’ Composer John Paesano Used Old Techniques to Create His Show’s Vibrant Score — Watch

Why It Matters

The retro scoring approach showcases a growing appetite for nostalgic, emotionally resonant music that can differentiate new series in a crowded streaming market. It signals a shift back toward composer‑driven storytelling, influencing how future TV scores may be crafted.

Key Takeaways

• John Paesano scored “The Boroughs” using 80s/90s script‑note method
• He created extensive suites to let producers visualize scenes through music
• Roundtable featured composers from “Alien Earth,” “Spider‑Noir,” and others
• Approach seeks vibrant, imagination‑driven cues, avoiding dialogue‑heavy modern constraints

Pulse Analysis

The new series “The Boroughs,” a sci‑fi thriller set in a retirement community, has drawn attention not only for its premise but also for its soundtrack. Composer John Paesano, known for his work on blockbuster films, chose to emulate the scoring practices of the 1980s and 1990s, a period celebrated for bold, thematic music. By attending IndieWire’s Craft Roundtables, Paesano highlighted how he and his team wrote music directly from script notes, marking beats on manuscript pages before any digital editing took place. This hands‑on method allowed the team to craft suites—large, narrative‑driven pieces—that could convey the show’s atmosphere even before picture was locked.

Paesano’s decision to revert to analog‑style techniques contrasts sharply with today’s predominantly DAW‑centric workflows. Modern composers often layer hundreds of tracks, sync tightly to dialogue, and rely heavily on virtual instruments. In the 80s‑90s model, however, composers focused on broad, emotive sketches that painted a scene in the listener’s mind, free from the constraints of on‑screen timing. By producing extensive suites, Paesano gave directors and producers a musical storyboard, enabling them to “see” the episode through sound alone. This approach not only speeds up the spotting process but also preserves the organic, vibrant quality that defined classic genre scores.

The industry is taking note. As streaming platforms compete for subscriber attention, distinctive audio branding becomes a differentiator. Shows that adopt retro scoring can tap into audience nostalgia while delivering fresh emotional impact. Paesano’s success may inspire other composers to blend old‑school craftsmanship with modern technology, creating hybrid scores that honor tradition yet meet contemporary production demands. This resurgence of composer‑first storytelling could reshape how television music is commissioned, produced, and marketed in the years ahead.