
Youth Soundtrack Season 1 (2026) Guide
Created by and starring Sharon Horgan, Youth is a sharp and honest HBO comedy-drama that follows Alex, a 50-year-old London-based literary agent navigating the chaotic aftermath of a divorce. As she attempts to reclaim her love and sex life, Alex finds herself constantly pulled in every direction while balancing a demanding career, managing her troubled, should-be-grown-up teenage son, and caring for her ailing parents. Blending realistic humor with midlife precarity, the series delivers a funny yet beautifully relatable portrait of trying to "have it all" when life keeps getting in the way.
Created by and starring BAFTA winner Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe, Bad Sisters), Youth brings a sharp, unapologetic perspective on midlife reinvention to HBO. Set in London, the comedy-drama follows Alex, a fifty-year-old literary agent navigating the messy fallout of a recent divorce while juggling awkward romantic entanglements, a wayward teenage son (Aran Murphy), and aging parents. Alongside Rupert Friend and Sharlene Whyte, Horgan balances biting humor with genuine vulnerability, portraying the exhausting tug-of-war between professional ambition and personal survival.
The soundtrack of Youth mirrors the chaotic emotional pace of Alex's daily life, leaning into an eclectic mix of sharp post-punk, vintage alternative rock, and classic electroclash. The musical selections shift effortlessly from the punk fury of Amyl and the Sniffers' "Jerkin'" and Viagra Boys' satirical "Sports" to the seductive dancefloor nostalgia of Goldfrapp’s "Strict Machine" and LCD Soundsystem "Time to Get Away." The season also weaves in heartfelt cuts from Jill Scott and Fiona Apple’s raw ballad "I Want You To Love Me," matching the messy collisions of Alex’s romantic life.
Episode 1: Lockjaw (Sep 20, 2026)
After a surprising diagnosis, Alex deals with Ruari’s graduation stunt, her ex’s decision to move to Canada, and a setup with an older man.
-
Scene Context: Alex hurriedly boards the bus.
-
DUOS
JGRANTBEATS
Scene Context: The family meal with Alex transitions directly to Frank's launch party.
-
Scene Context: Alex is cleaning Rauri's room.
-
Whow The Funk
Tico Pierhagen
Scene Context: Alex and Michael attend their date, characterized by awkwardness.
-
Strict Machine
Scene Context: Alex and Michael engage in kissing at Alex's residence.
-
One Is the Magic #
Jill Scott
Scene Context: Alex and Patrick reconnect following an unintentional text message from Alex that was misinterpreted.
-
Scene Context: Alex sleeps beside Rauri in his bed as the end credits begin to play.
Episode 2: Wagon Burner (Sep 20, 2026)
Alex has a delicate meeting with the agency’s most lucrative author, tries to get Ruari to open up, and reconnects with Patrick.
-
L'estro armonico. Concerto No. 4 for 4 Violins in E Minor, Op. 3, RV 550: IV. Allegro
Scene Context: Alex and Sam review Charlotte's explicit manuscript while Liv confronts them about management issues.
-
Time to Get Away
Scene Context: Alex completes a delivery and then rides the exercise bike while texting Patrick.
-
I Want You To Love Me
Scene Context: Alex and Patrick kiss.
-
Pontypridd
Edward H. Dafis
Scene Context: Patrick discusses his passion for Welsh music with Alex.
-
Sports
Viagra Boys
Scene Context: Charlotte engages in physical exercise while delivering an erotic narration, and she receives messages on her phone.
-
Scene Context: Alex and Patrick part ways after an argument, with Alex stating she needs a drink.
Episode 3: Welcome to the Rat's Nest (Sep 27, 2026)
Episode 4 Songs: At the Frankfurt Book Fair, Alex tries to keep Ruari occupied while being bombarded by the viral success of Malcolm’s self-published novel.
-
Nach fest kommt lose
Die Sterne
Scene Context: Alex, Sam, and Ruari established their exhibit stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
-
Passion Babe
Aldous Harding
Scene Context: Ruari and Alex are using their phones.
-
I.O.U. (12" Version)
Freeez
-
Loco Loco
Gordo
-
Love Spell
Westend
Scene Context: Alex and Lars kiss at the WME party; the encounter is interrupted when Alex begins to bleed.
-
Schwerelos
MilleniumKid
Episode 4: Michael Man (Oct 5, 2026)
Episode 4 Songs: Sam gives Alex the unsavory task of getting Malcom back as a client. Later, Alex leans on Michael at a family dinner.
-
Peligro (Danger)
Panda Bear
Scene Context: Alex and Sam discuss work and Michael with Patrick present, while Ruari serves drinks.
-
Sad Disco
Flipturn
Scene Context: Alex discusses Sam with Michael while Michael is preparing dinner.
-
Heels over Head
Seamus Fogarty
Scene Context: Alex and Michael kiss; subsequently, Alex requests to proceed at a slower pace in their relationship.
-
Sweet Old Sorry Me
Tim Burgess
Scene Context: Alex reacts emotionally to her breakup with Michael at her apartment.
-
Rinse & Repeat
Riton
Scene Context: After Ruari is punched at the bar, Alex provides reassurance regarding the consequences.
-
Scene Context: Alex considers contacting Michael after informing Ruari about their breakup. The scene ends with the credits rolling.
Episode 5: The Holiday (Oct 11, 2026)
Episode 5 Songs: In Ibiza for Sam and Frank's 10-year anniversary, Alex finds herself on a couples' holiday with her ex-husband Lorcan and ex-fling Patrick, both of their new girlfriends, and Ruari as her plus one.
-
Hu Man
Greentea Peng
Scene Context: Frank frequently leaves to use the bathroom while Alex and the others remain relaxing in the sunshine in Ibiza.
-
A Caballo
Simon Munting
Scene Context: At an Ibiza restaurant, Alex attempts to find a meal partner for paella while the group orders lunch.
-
Scene Context: The group plays Heads Up, making guesses, and Alex celebrates after a successful round.
-
Scene Context: Alex walks through the town, pauses for a cigarette break, and begins coughing upon noticing a woman eating nearby.
-
Scene Context: Sam and Frank celebrate their anniversary on a boat; the celebration is interrupted when Frank's swim necessitates a rescue.
-
EARFQUAKE
Scene Context: Alex and Patrick have an emotional conversation at the hospital. A screaming patient interrupts them shortly before the end credits.
Episode 6: Desperate Measures (Oct 18, 2026)
Episode 6 Songs: After getting asked out on a date, Alex tries to make sense of where things stand with Patrick. As Ruari starts his internship at the agency, Sam and Alex attempt to win back Malcolm before Grayson swoops in.
-
Far Too Much
Oscar Jerome
Scene Context: Frank serves a meal at his home. Alex discusses Patrick with Sam and subsequently receives a date invitation from Lars.
-
Can't Carry On
Gruff Rhys
Scene Context: Outside the pub, Alex checks her phone and greets Patrick with a hug and a kiss before joining his friends.
-
Van Gogh's Ear
Seamus Fogarty
Scene Context: At a pub, Lars arrives to find Alex, which leads to an argument between Alex and Patrick, after which Alex leaves.
-
Quando Ti Guardo (feat. Francesco Senni)
Cyril Giroux
Scene Context: During a meeting at a café with Camille regarding Yafa’s book, Alex interrupts to address an issue with her father's podcast and contacts Patrick.
-
Winesong
The Mary Janes
Scene Context: Alex and Patrick kiss while Ruari and Wally are in the background, just before the end credits begin.
Youth Season 1 Trailer Songs
-
HBO Youth Series Trailer Music
Alongside the original score by veteran comedy-drama composer Jeff Cardoni (Silicon Valley, The Kominsky Method), standout needle drops take center stage during the final moments of each chapter. The opening episode delivers an unforgettable emotional punch by closing on Radiohead’s haunting Kid A opener, "Everything In Its Right Place," as Alex lies beside her sleeping son. Later, the mournful warmth of The Velvet Underground’s archival classic "Ocean" underscores a painful romantic fracture, showing how the series uses seminal alternative records not merely as background noise, but as a direct window into its heroine’s private mental exhaustion.
Main Cast
- Sharon Horgan
- Rupert Friend
- Sharlene Whyte
- Aran Murphy
- Robbie Gee
Official Trailer
Soundtrack Crossovers
Complete Soundtrack List - All Songs Played in Every Episode
| Episode | Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Jerkin' | Amyl and The Sniffers |
| E1 | DUOS | JGRANTBEATS |
| E1 | Au Pays du Cocaine | Geese |
| E1 | Whow The Funk | Tico Pierhagen |
| E1 | Strict Machine | Goldfrapp |
| E1 | One Is the Magic # | Jill Scott |
| E1 | Everything In Its Right Place | Radiohead |
| E2 | L'estro armonico. Concerto No. 4 for 4 Violins in E Minor, Op. 3, RV 550: IV. Allegro | Antonio Vivaldi |
| E2 | Time to Get Away | LCD Soundsystem |
| E2 | I Want You To Love Me | Fiona Apple |
| E2 | Pontypridd | Edward H. Dafis |
| E2 | Sports | Viagra Boys |
| E2 | Ocean | The Velvet Underground |
| E3 | Nach fest kommt lose | Die Sterne |
| E3 | Passion Babe | Aldous Harding |
| E3 | I.O.U. (12" Version) | Freeez |
| E3 | Loco Loco | Gordo |
| E3 | Love Spell | Westend |
| E3 | Schwerelos | MilleniumKid |
| E4 | Peligro (Danger) | Panda Bear |
| E4 | Sad Disco | Flipturn |
| E4 | Heels over Head | Seamus Fogarty |
| E4 | Sweet Old Sorry Me | Tim Burgess |
| E4 | Rinse & Repeat | Riton |
| E4 | Les Fleurs | Minnie Riperton |
| E5 | Hu Man | Greentea Peng |
| E5 | A Caballo | Simon Munting |
| E5 | Free | Sault |
| E5 | Stay Flo | Solange |
| E5 | Move On Up | Curtis Mayfield |
| E5 | EARFQUAKE | Tyler, The Creator |
| E6 | Far Too Much | Oscar Jerome |
| E6 | Can't Carry On | Gruff Rhys |
| E6 | Van Gogh's Ear | Seamus Fogarty |
| E6 | Quando Ti Guardo (feat. Francesco Senni) | Cyril Giroux |
| E6 | Winesong | The Mary Janes |





