The Bait soundtrack is as busy, noisy, and volatile as the series is.
The Riz Ahmed starrer show centres on struggling actor Shah Latif over four increasingly deranged days following a transformative audition.
Although the premise plays up satire and industry ridiculousness, music is instrumental in keeping the story grounded, incorporating South Asian staples, underground schedules, and modern global rhythms to express Shah’s disjointed mental and emotional place. Read on to know the complete list of Bait soundtracks.
Bait soundtrack guide: A complete list of the music explored
With a meticulously curated selection, the soundtrack isn’t content with anything but shaping the story delivery. Bait, with a score by Shruti Kumar and a companion EP featuring artists such as Jorja Smith and Arooj Aftab, is a reflection on how music can speak to identity, nostalgia, and chaos.
Songs like Sweet Dreams by Aftab reconceive a global classic through a haunting, desi-inflected lens, articulating Shah’s tugs-of-war between cultural roots and Western dreams.
At the same time, Naheed Akhtar’s old songs bring in nostalgia, which is the binding medium for the narrative for overt cultural contrast. The soundtrack gets more experimental as the series progresses. In episode three, Qawalli influences are introduced via artists such as Sabri Brothers, contributing emotional depth just as Shah is starting to lose control. Here is the complete list.
- ‘Ho You Come Here Naughty Boy’ – Nahid Akhtar
- ‘Dekhoon Jidhar Bhi Wahin Gham Kay Baadal Hain Chhaaye Zambo Zambo’ – Naheed Akhtar
- ‘Kariye pyar’ – Naheed Akhtar
- ‘Dilon Man Lai (Instrumental)’ – Tafo Brothers
- ‘Masala’ – TroyBoi & Amrit Maan
- ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’ – Anish Kumar & Arooj Aftab
- ‘Valley Of The Shadows (Bait FM)’ – Origin Unknowns feat. MC Shabba D & Antony David Miles, Andrew Michael Clarke
- ‘Jago (UK Garage Remix)’ – Sevaqk feat. Sarvjeet Kaur & Gursevak Kalsi
- ‘Teri Soorat (Main Sharabi Sharabi)’ – Aziz Mian, Tabish Dehalvi
- ‘Saqia Aur Pila’ – Sabri Brothers
- ‘Al-Vida’ – Sohail Rana
- ‘Chasing Music’ – Ilaiyaraaja
- ‘Flowers (Sunship Edit)’ – Sweet Female Attitude
- ‘Bipp’ – SOPHIE
- ‘Moving Up’ – Liquid Rose & Dennis Roudenko
- ‘DhinDhinDha (Cristiano Fry Remix)’ – BombayMami
- ‘TAKA (Caribou Remix)’ – Ahadadream, Priya Ragu & Skrillex
- ‘Kali Bass’ – AT & Antonio Travis, Dean Bryce
- ‘Jasmine (Demo)’ – Jai Paul
- ‘Price Of It All’ – Jorja Smith
- ‘In The Castle Of My Skin’ – Sons Of Kemet
- ‘Lakshmi Express’ – Anish Kumar
- ‘Pyar Ka Imithaan’ – Asha Bhosle
These songs are more than just backdrops for scenes; they intensify his internal turmoil, and the audience feels what he’s feeling as his mind unravels.
The Genre blending is what makes the story even stronger in Bait
One of the best things about the Bait soundtrack is its no-holds-barred approach to genre. In a string of selections from episode four, arguably the most harrowing installment, get down with electronic, garage, and experimental songs from Bipp and TAKA (Caribou Remix). These songs heighten the onscreen mayhem, delivering sensory overloads that echo Shah’s mental disintegration.
And then there are softer, moodier songs, too. Chasing Music interrupts the thrill ride with an almost meditative moment, alerting us to the emotional undercurrents beneath the satire.
The release of a six-track extended play (EP) to coincide with the show adds yet another dimension to its music-centric identity. The highlight here is Price Of It All, which features in a crucial moment in episode five. The song’s tone of reflection highlights how much ambition requires giving up, and what Shah has sacrificed, which brings together the themes of the show.
Tracks, including Lakshmi Express and a classic from Asha Bhosle, complete the narrative circle, taking Shah back to his roots even though his journey transforms him.
Therefore, the Bait soundtrack so perfectly matches the narrative. Instead of merely underscoring scenes, the music becomes an extension of Shah’s inner self. The mix of old and new, East and West, encompasses the character himself, adding depth and immersion to your viewing experience.
Edited by Nimisha