Netflix has once again bet on animation for adults and has done so with the help of Raphael Bob-Waksberg, creator of BoJack Horseman. His new series, Long Story Short, premiering on August 22, 2025, has already won over critics and audiences thanks to a brilliant narrative, an impeccable vocal cast and, above all, a soundtrack as emotional as it is accurate.
Jesse Novak: musical continuity in the Bob-Waksberg universe
Responsible for the music is Jesse Novak, Bob-Waksberg’s regular composer and brother of actor and writer B.J. Novak. Novak scored both the original score and the main theme, released as a single by Netflix Music on the same day of the premiere.
That central theme exists in two versions: the short opening one (about 50 seconds) and a longer lo-fi variation that functions as a generational wink and an intimate respite within the Netflix Music catalog. Available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, it’s the perfect calling card: bright, light and with that playful touch that defines the series.
Selected songs: less is more
Far from saturating with constant needle drops, Long Story Short uses the songs as emotional scalpels. Some of those confirmed in the first season are:
- “The Obvious Child ” – Paul Simon (Episode 1)
- “Little of Your Love – BloodPop Remix ” – HAIM & BloodPop (Episode 5)
- “Animal Spirits ” – Vulfpeck (Episode 6)
- “Butterfly ” – Crazy Town (Episode 9)
- And additional gems such as “Family Business” (Lawrence), “Baby” (Sipper), “If You Got a Problem” (Susanna Hoffs), “Jerusalem” (Dan Bern) or “Always Find Me” (King Tuff).
Each choice seems designed to dialogue with the script: from the folk classicism of Simon to the modern groove of Vulfpeck, passing through the pop nostalgia of HAIM.
Music as memory
One of the most talked about episodes of the season, “Shira Can’t Cook” (T1E4), demonstrates how the series knows how to use silence and Novak’s score to sustain emotion without falling into the obvious. When a song finally enters, the effect is devastating. That balance makes the music in Long Story Short not just accompaniment, but a true narrative vehicle.
Will there be a full album?
Several portals specialized in soundtracks have confirmed that there is an album with the original music composed for the series, although a complete official tracklist and physical editions have not yet been published. For now, fans can enjoy the main theme single and unofficial playlists compiling the licensed tracks.
Conclusion
In times when many series bet on musical saturation, Long Story Short opts for restraint and precision. The result is a soundtrack that does not steal the limelight, but when it appears it illuminates memory, family and the passage of time, the great themes of the series.
With the confirmation of a second season, it is to be expected that the collaboration between Jesse Novak and Bob-Waksberg will continue to provide us with memorable sonic moments.
