Kane Parsons’ Backrooms surprised viewers with a soundtrack that feels less like background and more like a character. By leaning into liminal aesthetics and internet lore, Parsons and A24 assembled music that amplifies the film’s uncanny mood and long-lived online mythos.
Crafting the Uncanny: Parsons’ Authentic Musical Vision
Influences & Intent
Parsons cites artists such as Aphex Twin, Boards Of Canada and Burial as touchstones. That lineage of warped nostalgia and detailed textural work informed the OST choices. The collaboration with Boards Of Canada was not a stunt; it reflected Parsons’ research and musical literacy, producing a score that sounds like it emerged from the same netherworld as the Backrooms myth.
Resonance with Internet Lore
Instead of the expected Instupendo homage, Parsons placed Boards Of Canadas “The World Becomes Flesh” from Inferno at key moments. That track carries a melancholic, analogue warmth that fans of early forum-era creepypasta recognise, turning soundtrack placement into a cultural signal. The choice tied the film directly to the communities that birthed the Backrooms idea.
Echoes of Memory: Deep Cuts and Lost Media
The Caretaker’s Haunting Contribution
Including The Caretaker’s “B1 All that follows is true” channels themes of memory erosion and psychological collapse. Its degraded, looped piano textures push scenes into a dreamlike forgetting, matching the films exploration of spatial disorientation.
‘Ulterior Motives’ and Found Culture
The use of the obscure 1985 track “Ulterior Motives” reads like a wink to lost media hunters. Referencing a piece of found culture creates nostalgic unease and rewards viewers who follow internet sleuthing, reinforcing authenticity rather than surface-level pastiche.
Beyond the Film: Parsons’ Impact on Sound Culture
Parsons score is a case study in culturally literate supervision and sound design. By marrying respected ambient acts, archival curiosities and an understanding of online communities, the soundtrack cements the films emotional logic and fan trust. For filmmakers and supervisors, it demonstrates that careful musical choices can deepen narrative atmosphere and create lasting cultural resonance.
