007 First Light composers on blending classic Bond sound with modern touches

How The Flight approached the Bond legacy

The composers behind the 007 First Light score have explained how they captured the classic sound of James Bond while keeping space for their own style. In an interview with TechRadar, the duo The Flight, made up of Joe Henson and Alexis Smith, described the project as the peak of a decade of shared work.

Henson said their approach was never in doubt, because their own sound is what they do and they trusted it would fit alongside the traditional Bond elements. Smith noted that the word legacy, for them, meant bringing in brass, strings, orchestral writing and jazz, though he added that this score still left room for more modern touches.

Balancing tradition with a modern edge

According to TechRadar, the pair see the Bond franchise as one that constantly evolves. Henson said the music has always moved with the times, balancing classic sounds with a current edge, and that this balance shaped their work on the game.

The challenge was significant because the Bond theme is among the most recognisable pieces of film music ever written. The composers had to respect that cultural weight while creating something original for First Light.

What makes a score feel like Bond

Smith told TechRadar that the music had to place players inside the world of James Bond, combining espionage, intrigue, action and romance in a way he said no other project of theirs had managed.

Henson added that beyond the famous themes, there is a distinct Bond sound built on particular uses of brass, strings and guitars. He said the pair developed an instinct for judging whether a piece of music felt Bond enough. Smith suggested their childhood in 1980s Britain, watching the films with their fathers on Sunday evenings, helped shape that instinct.

Ivors nomination and what comes next

TechRadar reports that the ceremony takes place at Grosvenor House in London on 17 November 2026.

The nomination underlines how video game music now sits alongside film and television scoring at major industry events. For readers following the game, the interview offers a rare look at how a studio balances a beloved musical heritage with its own creative voice.