6 music supervisors select their TV shows' best needle drops

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

There is magic in a well-placed needle drop, and this season’s TV soundtracks include several standouts.Whether in use as memorable transitions, to deliver a sonic hit of nostalgia or to underscore a jarring cliffhanger, songs pack emotional punch — and leave us wanting more.The Envelope recently spoke with six music supervisors about their favorite needle drops from their own series.

The songs in question span genres, decades and continents, and include new artists, unsung heroes and more.The second season of “Beef” is as tension-filled as the first, with every episode ending on “an ‘Oh s—!’ moment,” which made for an exciting challenge, according to music supervisor Jen Malone.Culling from a playlist of 600 songs she created with showrunner Lee Sung Jin before filming began, Malone says a favorite selection is Nero’s “Doomsday,” which closes out Episode 3 playing over a surprisingly dramatic moment for Ashley (Cailee Spaeny).

“I f— love Nero,” the Emmy nominee says of the popular British electronic music trio.“There was a little hiccup with [clearing] that one because they do sample the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra but their management was [incredibly collaborative] and we got it done.”Gabe Hilfer was excited to join the HBO drama’s third season to take “some big swings, musically.

The protagonists are older, so there was an idea to include older soul and country music,” he says, which led him to place Ann-Margret’s sultry 1962 track “Thirteen Men” over Kitty’s first dance at the Silver Slipper.“It’s such a cool song,” says the Emmy winner, who also worked on HBO’s “Task.” “Normally there’d be a current charting trap or rap song, but there’s something about that song that I think makes you recalibrate how you’re looking at the scene in general.” Not to mention the opportunity to introduce Ann-Margr...