The musical landscape of HBO's Euphoria is set for a stark transformation, with composer and artist Labrinth definitively absent from the upcoming third season. The distinctive, moody soundscape that has become intrinsically linked with the popular teen drama, largely sculpted by Labrinth across its initial two seasons, will now be the sole domain of Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer. This shift arrives after Labrinth publicly expressed significant displeasure with the production and associated entities, including HBO and Columbia Records, in a series of strong social media posts dating back to March 2026.
Creator Sam Levinson has acknowledged Labrinth's foundational role in establishing the show's sonic identity. He told Rolling Stone, "He [Labrinth] is an incredible collaborator and someone who really built the foundation of the sound of Euphoria." However, Levinson also indicated a pivot in his creative direction for the new season, explaining his preference for a score that guides the viewer through the narrative, rather than relying on "needle drops." He cited a desire to embrace "an old-fashioned Hollywood Western score," a vision he felt aligned with Zimmer's extensive filmography, which includes scores for Interstellar and True Romance.
Read More: Yash Chopra Foundation Gives Rs 5 Lakhs Scholarship to Film Industry Children in Mumbai
Public Dissatisfaction and Industry Critiques
Labrinth's departure was signaled through a series of emphatic statements. In March 2026, he posted on Instagram, a message that read, "Double fuck Euphoria… Thank you and good night." This was followed by further criticisms directed at HBO and Columbia Records, though specific elaborations on the causes of his disillusionment have been sparse. The artist, whose real name is Timothy Lee McKenzie, had previously contributed numerous indelible tracks to the show, including "Formula," "Still Don't Know My Name," and the Grammy-nominated "Never Felt So Alone" featuring Billie Eilish. His contributions were widely credited with forging the show's unique emotional resonance.
The announcement of Hans Zimmer's involvement in Euphoria Season Three was initially framed as a collaboration. However, reports now confirm Zimmer will serve as the sole composer, crafting an eight-episode score described as "lush" and "Western-inspired." Reps for Labrinth have declined to comment on the matter, while HBO and Columbia Records have not provided a formal response when approached by news outlets.
Read More: Shefali Shah Hints at New Project After Delhi Crime 3 Success
A Shift in Sonic Identity
The dramatic departure of Labrinth signals a significant inflection point for Euphoria. His blend of gospel, electronic, and hip-hop elements, honed over the first two seasons, became an inseparable part of the show's cultural footprint. Fans, many of whom rallied behind Labrinth's expressed frustrations, have even voiced intentions to boycott the new season.
Labrinth's public statements in March 2026 also alluded to a broader disengagement from the music industry. Outside of his Euphoria work, Labrinth was also slated to perform at Coachella around the time of these announcements, with HBO planning a screening of the season's first episode for attendees. The absence of Labrinth's personal touch marks a notable turning point, leaving the interpretation of Euphoria's emotional core to a different musical architect.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/the-testaments-cast-040326-5950737e75194729a2d8ef9672ca8d66.jpg)