10 times The White Lotus proved that it's a musical masterpiece with the best soundtrack choices

The White Lotus Soundtracks | Image via WaterTower Music
The White Lotus Soundtracks | Image via WaterTower Music

Music played a strong role in the HBO comedy-drama series The White Lotus, with the sounds of three seasons. The soundtracks helped to establish local color, underlying stress, and implied depth with each scene. Whether it is the soundtrack from Season 3 Episode 8 or Ter Rewat's second track that drives Fabian through the summer morning, every single choice of songs heightened the narrative and took viewers in.

Composers Cristobal Tapia de Veer and other guests like Ter Rewat and Thai rock band Carabao produced distinctive soundscapes that blended electronic pulses, traditional instruments, and regional flavors. This handpicked selection of soundtracks was developed to commemorate The White Lotus' 10 times of being musical art in a visual style and music.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.


Here is the list of 10 times The White Lotus proved that it's a musical masterpiece with the best soundtrack choices

10. Lachi woke up, and the boat left the White Lotus (Season 3, Episode 8)

Moment from Season 3 Episode 8 of The White Lotus | Image via HBO
Moment from Season 3 Episode 8 of The White Lotus | Image via HBO

In Season 3, Episode 8 of The White Lotus, the song I Want to Live by Cristobal Tapia de Veer has been played. The song was played when Lachi woke up, and the boat left the White Lotus. The soundtrack itself is noted as a masterpiece, in that the desperate yet transcendent sound perfectly parallels the dramatic emotional awakening Lachi faces and the unearthly finality of the boat sinking underway.

The stripped song and the basics of tension trigger a primal feeling of yearning, thus enhancing the issue of ambiguity in the scene. The music gives the conclusion a strong, unusual, and memorable feel, like something from a legend. Its sound adds to the scene's emotional impact and intensity by evoking the tense, uncomfortable atmosphere that permeates The White Lotus.


9. Tanya, Quentin, and Niccolo indulge in cocaine (Season 2, Episode 6)

Scene from Season 2, Episode 6 of The White Lotus | Image via HBO
Scene from Season 2, Episode 6 of The White Lotus | Image via HBO

In Season 2, Episode 6 of The White Lotus, the soundtrack Ciao Ciao by La rappresentante di lista was played. The soundtrack was played in a scene where Tanya, Quentin, and Niccolo indulge in cocaine and engage in revelry together. The strong, sardonic intensity of this soundtrack, which flawlessly conveys the wild splendor of Tanya's drug-fueled night, has earned it praise as a masterpiece.

The soundtrack creates a bizarre, seductive atmosphere with its lively pace and dramatic flair, which contrasts sharply with the underlying danger. Viewers applaud the soundtrack for its ability to highlight the scene's opulence while hinting at darker undertones, making it both catchy and eerie.


8. Guests arriving at the resort (Season 1, Episode 1)

Guests arriving at the resort in The White Lotus | Image via HBO
Guests arriving at the resort in The White Lotus | Image via HBO

In Season 1, Episode 1 of The White Lotus, the soundtrack used is Ocean Call by Cristobal Tapia de Veer. The soundtrack starts when one of the locals shouts over the water as the guests arrive at the resort, signaling the start of their first night there. The tinkling of soft piano notes and the swells in the strings suggest the sound of waves. Electronic drones serve to deepen the sound. It aligns with the shared personal truth. The ocean itself seems to be speaking.

This composition is a musical masterpiece because it expresses emotion by combining VST (Virtual Studio Technology) instruments, manual instruments, and natural sounds. Its strange beauty grabbed viewers. Many thought it elevated the situation to a new level. Simple melodies can convey powerful emotions, as seen by "The White Lotus" soundtrack. Viewers remember the peaceful intensity of this song.


7. Guests experiencing the resort's atmosphere (Season 3, Episode 1)

Made in Thailand by Carabao in The White Lotus | Images via Spotify and JustWatch
Made in Thailand by Carabao in The White Lotus | Images via Spotify and JustWatch

In Season 3, Episode 1 of The White Lotus, Made in Thailand has been played. It is a Thai rock song by the Thai rock band Carabao. The song features rolling rhythms, bright guitars, and the band's folklore-rock sound. It brings energy and local color with it. The music is homely and it corresponds with the sun and sea.

The song is a musical gem because it combines modern storytelling with traditional Thai rock. People were amused by the easy chorus in it and the ethnic coloring. Many fans commented on how authentically Thai this welcome was. The White Lotus soundtrack features real local music to create a vibrant, genuine, and memorable atmosphere.


6. Opening Credit (Season 3)

Enlightenment by Cristobal Tapia de Veer in The White Lotus | Images via Spotify
Enlightenment by Cristobal Tapia de Veer in The White Lotus | Images via Spotify

Enlightenment by Cristobal Tapia de Veer was played over the opening credits of the show. The composer incorporates handmade drums, natural shakers, and a piano. At first, the sound dances lightly in the air, a gentle whisper that captivates the senses. It gradually transforms into something darker and more haunting, and a sensation of doom surrounds you. It’s a mesmerizing blend of beauty and tension, drawing you into its unsettling embrace.

This song is a work of musical art because it has a powerful theme and effectively communicates the idea of the hidden drama. They loved for audiences to learn the song in a new yet familiar way. Lots of viewers commented that it gets them excited and curious. The White Lotus soundtrack proves that a main theme can set the mood for an entire journey.


5. Fabian driving through the resort (Season 3, Episode 6)

Fabian in The White Lotus | Image via HBO
Fabian in The White Lotus | Image via HBO

Tee Laaw Gaw Laaw Pai is Ter Rewat's second track on The White Lotus soundtrack. It appears during the early morning sequence in Episode 6, as Fabian gleefully rides a buggy through the resort and Belinda awakens in her bed. It transports the audience to the coastlines of Thailand's rich culture with its upbeat brass notes and untamed folk rhythms, which captivate the resort's verdant streets.

The juxtaposition of the organic, folksy sounds of the song against the tension that runs throughout the show is delectably pleasing to fans. They witness the well-developed sense of the place within the context of the show, where there is a sense of joy and something off-kilter at the same time.


4. Lavish party on a yacht (Season 3, Episode 4)

Luxury yachts featured in The White Lotus | Image via HBO
Luxury yachts featured in The White Lotus | Image via HBO

La Bella Vita by Cristobal Tapia de Veer is featured in Season 3, Episode 4 of The White Lotus, specifically during the boat party scene. Composer Tapia de Veer created this beautiful, baroque-flavored track with sparkling strings and a poignant choir.

Audiences devoured its anthemic melodies and heartbreaking grandeur. Critics called it a work of tension and beauty. It was nominated for Best Original Score for a Drama Film at the 2023 International Film Music Critics Awards (IFMCA). This is one of the most discussed instrumental moments in the series.


3. Opening Credit Music (Season 2)

Scene from Season 2 Episode 1 | Image via HBO
Scene from Season 2 Episode 1 | Image via HBO

The main theme for Season 2 of The White Lotus is Renaissance by Cristobal Tapia de Veer and Kim Neundorf. In the second season, it plays during the opening credits. Her version features swirling keys, sharp drums, and pulsing electronic sounds that evoke the season one theme. Tapia de Veer and Neundorf remixed it into a club-ready version with the help of Tiësto.

Fans appreciated how an old song sounded fresh and new. It fueled viral dance videos, and Tiësto later remixed it. Critics praised it as a musical masterpiece that enhanced the show’s sound. The remix was added to streaming playlists and was nominated for a 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Award. Its fans say it brought new energy to the Hispanic setting.


2. Paula and Kai are talking (Season 1, Episode 4)

Paula and Kai are talking | Image via HBO
Paula and Kai are talking | Image via HBO

"He Mele Lāhui Hawaiʻi" by The Rose Ensemble appears in season one of The White Lotus. The soundtrack played as Paula and Kai talked about their families on the beach. The playful darkness and the uncanniness of it made it extremely popular with audiences.

They admired the way it created discomfort in an ordinary moment. It was branded as outstanding sonic storytelling by critics. It was included on numerous critics' best-score lists even though it didn't win any major awards.


1. Opening montage at the resort (Season 1, Episode 1)

Moment from Season 1 Episode 1 of The White Lotus | Image via HBO
Moment from Season 1 Episode 1 of The White Lotus | Image via HBO

The primary title theme for Season 1 of The White Lotus is "Aloha!" by Cristobal Tapia de Veer. The ambiance of the first season is set by the soundtrack, which appears in the opening credits of every episode. Additionally, the song is intimately related to the first season's Hawaiian setting and stands out for its peculiar, tense, and occasionally unsettling regional vibe. It reflects the luxury and internal tension of a high-end resort.

Audiences praised its ability to merge bliss with discomfort and loved its contagious yet evil aura. Critics hailed it as a musical masterpiece because of its innovative sound and bold choices. The primary sound viralized on TikTok and exercise playlists. It was Emmy-nominated for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, and many people argued that it set the tone of the entire series.


It is concluded that these ten soundtracks demonstrated how The White Lotus used music to heighten drama, create a sense of place, and develop character. The music composer composed a soundtrack by blending regional music, heart-pounding rhythms, and frightening melodies with the plot. The viewers would remember long after they had finished watching, and some critics would call it a unique sound design.

comment icon
Comment
Edited by Sangeeta Mathew