The following includes spoilers for the first 4 episodes of Loki.
Loki has been differentiating itself from other MCU properties in a lot of ways, and one of those is in it's music choices. Loki has a beautiful score, as well as some pointed needle drops that have really stood out (in a good way). WandaVision also had music that was very memorable (for instance, the four-note theme that was used in every version of the theme song, and the ever-iconic "Agatha All Along"), but it was used in a very different way. WandaVision's music was used to evoke classic television, and was often used as theme music. The most memorable original pieces from WandaVision were the ones you could sing along to.
Loki, on the other hand, has so far had a very present and fitting score that helps to tell the story as much as the script and the acting does (as any good film or TV show score should do). It has also included various pre-existing songs that have been dropped into a scene to add a little something extra (with the added fun of these choices being a mix between modern pop music and older jazz). The composer, Natalie Holt, has done an outstanding job in making the music complement the story, as well as be iconic on its own. Everything about the music on the show has been really memorable so far, and it deserves a lot more attention and a closer look.
Often, the score of a film or TV show goes somewhat unnoticed by most viewers. And this may be the point; the music is helping to tell the story, and because it is so ingrained in what the moment on screen is, it adds to that scene but perhaps doesn't become iconic outside of it. Other scores (such as Harry Potter or Star Wars) have become instantly recognizable classics. Loki's music is interesting because it strikes a balance between the two. It adds to the scene (whether it's background score or a pop song in the middle of a scene), but it's also just so good that it stands out and draws attention to itself.
Loki has all types of music: score, pop song needle drops, and even songs being sung by characters within a scene. The styles of music also differ throughout each episode, which adds to the chaotic nature that the show is trying to achieve. The pre-existing songs that are used are from a variety of eras. Episode 3 starts with a song called "Demons" by Hayley Kiyoko (released in 2020), and ends with a song from the '50s called "Dark Moon" by Bonnie Guitar. Episode 2 includes a scene set to "Holding Out For A Hero" by Bonnie Tyler, which came out in 1984.
The score itself hops through time as well, sometimes sounding medieval or classical inspired, and at other points including the melody of a synthesizer to employ a futuristic sound, sometimes even within the same track. The way that the show is able to pull songs from all across time without it feeling totally disjointed is a testament to how well it complements the story. It's all about time travel, and there's no better way to have the show feel unmoored in time than by making the soundtrack itself span the ages.
In talking about specific pieces, a few are real standouts. One of these is the theme song, which plays over the title card of every episode. This piece is so incredibly fitting for the show, sounding grand and mysterious all at once. The plinking notes of the melody denote a sci-fi feel, and the extended version of the theme (that can be found on the soundtrack) has a middle section that is very reminiscent of the well-known Doctor Who theme song (which is apt, considering the numerous comparisons that have been made between the shows). There's also the sound of a ticking clock playing behind the track, which is barely noticeable but is a reminder of what this show centers around.
As far as needle drops are concerned, one of the most notable is the "Holding Out For A Hero" scene in Episode 2: "The Variant". In the scene, the song plays while The Variant takes down TVA agents and steals the devices that reset the timeline. The use of the song in the show is really interesting because of the thematic significance. At first, it seems to be ironic, because a song about needing a hero is playing while The Variant (who the audience does not yet know as Sylvie) does something villainous. However, on a second watch after seeing episodes 3 and 4, the song takes on a different meaning. Now that we know Sylvie's motivations and intentions, and that the TVA is not, perhaps, the good and just organization it first appears to be, we know that Sylvie is (in a way) the hero of the scene. Her goal is to take down the TVA, which is a much more noble ambition than it first appears.
The show also includes a scene where Loki himself is the music...in a way. A scene in Episode 3: "Lamentis" has an intoxicated ("very full") Loki lead the train bar in what appears to be a rousing drinking song (perhaps something often sung on Asgard), as well as singing a more quiet and haunting interlude. It's an interesting scene, not just because it gives Tom Hiddleston a chance to show off his vocal chops, but it feels like a very vulnerable moment for the character.
We've never seen Loki engage in behavior like this before and truly let loose. The audience gets to see a new side of him, especially when he sings the slower part of the song, and the whole scene slows to just let his voice take over in a moment that is strangely tender. In allowing him to have this character moment, the show is able to show the audience another facet of his personality (as well as his emotional state) without having to explain it outright. It's a good example of "show don't tell", which is a concept the MCU can sometimes struggle with.
The music in Loki has been really notable, and if the MCU is able to step up its musical game like this in the future, it's a great sign for Phase 4. The MCU has had a few memorable musical cues (such as the Avengers or Winter Soldier themes), but they are few and far between. Natalie Holt's work on Loki is truly exciting, and her ability to tell the story through the music is something that is so fun to see. The mix of older-sounding music with intense string sections and futuristic synthesizer beats adds so much to the mood of the story, and is really what cements the show as taking place outside of time. It will be interesting to see what other musical moments happen in the final two episodes of the series, and if the tracks from this show will become as beloved as the music from WandaVision was.