Key facts
- The new James Bond video game, "007 First Light," features a score composed by Alexis Smith and Joe Henderson, collectively known as The Flight.
- The composers spent two years creating the music, which blends electronic and orchestral elements.
- The score incorporates classic James Bond musical motifs, including John Barry's theme from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."
- The music is interactive, with multiple branching paths that adapt to the player's actions and performance.
- The score was recorded with the London Chamber Orchestra at Abbey Road studios.
The creation of the musical score for the new James Bond video game, "007 First Light," is detailed, highlighting the work of composers Alexis Smith and Joe Henderson, known as The Flight. The duo spent two years crafting the music, which aims to capture the essence of the Bond franchise while offering an original take.
The recording process involved a half-day session with the London Chamber Orchestra at Abbey Road studios, where 32 minutes of action-oriented music were recorded. The composers aimed to balance modern electronic sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements, a significant step up from their previous work in pop and electronic music.
"First Light" presents an origin story for James Bond, beginning with him as a Navy aircrewman. The music reflects this early stage with more electronic and avant-garde sounds, particularly during a mission in Iceland. As Bond progresses through MI6 training and missions, the score gradually incorporates more familiar Bond motifs, including John Barry's iconic themes, to anchor the game within the established universe.
The interactive nature of video game music was a key consideration. The Flight designed the score with multiple branching paths, allowing the music to dynamically adapt to the player's performance and actions during combat and stealth sequences. This approach ensures a unique auditory experience for each playthrough.
The project also navigated a significant shift in franchise ownership, with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson handing over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios mid-production. This change briefly caused concern for the composers but ultimately did not derail the project.
The game's cinematic quality, partly attributed to its score, has led to fan campaigns for the voice actor of Bond, Patrick Gibson, to be considered for future film roles.