La-La Land Records release the Cobra Kai soundtrack. The YouTube Red series, produced by Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television, debuted on 02 May 2018 and stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprising their roles from the original 1984 feature film The Karate Kid...

Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson's score for Cobra Kai not only pays homage to the original movie, by delivering a number of retro sounding themes, it also incorporates some interesting modern segments of music.

The score is thematically split into three areas (three unique score worlds that each support a different story being told on the show). Johnny's music is the representation of how he hears himself: as the ultimate badass, scored with face-melting guitar riffs and bruising arena drums; Daniel La Russo’s theme is supported by more orchestral, Japanese-influenced sounds; and his tonal palette connects us to the earlier films and Bill Conti's score.

Overall, it's an engaging and very enjoyable score - helped greatly by its diversity and thematically rich palette. Even if you're not a huge fan of the show, there's enough quality material here to make it at least worth checking out.

8

Darren Rea