LOKI: Theremin for the God of Mischief
In 2020 I was contacted by Emmy-nominated composer Natalie Holt with an exciting proposal: to contribute theremin and ondes Martenot to the upcoming Marvel production LOKI. Created by Michael Waldron and directed by Kate Herron for the streaming service Disney+, the show is based on the eponymous Marvel Comics character and takes place after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019).
The highlight of “Loki” … is the spooky, space-age, strange score by Natalie Holt. Full of theremins, zithers, Moog synthesizers, and other unworldly, ethereal sounds (think “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” Bernard Herrmann’s score meets the world of analog trailblazers like Clara Rockmore and Wendy Carlos), the music itself is terrific.
Natalie’s breathtaking score combines full orchestra with the haunting sounds of ticking clocks, traditional Nordic instruments, synthesizers and theremins to perfectly evoke the combination of Norse mythology and science fiction embodied by Loki and his run in with the powerful Time Variance Authority. It also speaks richly to the history of electronic music and its historic associations with science fiction.
“Loki” is beautifully scored by British composer Natalie Holt, who delivers a … suspenseful and mysterious vibe while providing Marvel’s horned menace with a theme song that might just be the MCU’s best.
To stream the show on Disney+, head here.
