007 First Light composers explain how they modernised Bond's music

How the composers approached Bond

The composers behind the 007 First Light soundtrack, Joe Henson and Alexis Smith, have spoken about how they shaped the music for the upcoming Bond game. Speaking to TechRadar Gaming, the pair, who work together as The Flight, said their aim was to bring a contemporary feel to the franchise while keeping the unmistakable sound fans expect.

Henson said the team had a vast amount of material to draw on, from films and novels to music, plus influences from outside the Bond universe. He described their goal as easing the series into a present-day sound without overhauling it, so the result would still feel unmistakably like James Bond.

Reading Fleming and rewatching the films

Smith said he has long enjoyed Ian Fleming's original novels and treated the project as a reason to revisit them during his daily commute. He added that one of the franchise's strengths is how it keeps evolving with the times, which gave the composers room to explore new musical directions.

The pair deliberately avoided studying earlier Bond games. Instead, they rewatched the film series to examine its scores from a fresh perspective, knowing they would soon be writing their own contribution to that tradition.

Learning from the great Bond composers

Henson pointed to the long line of composers who have shaped the film scores, naming John Barry, Eric Serra, Michael Kamen and Hans Zimmer. He said it is fascinating to hear how each of them put their own stamp on the material.

Smith added that this variety worked in their favour. Because the music has already travelled in many different directions over the decades, the pair felt more confident about following their own path rather than imitating any single era of Bond.

Ivors nomination and why it matters

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

The nomination highlights how game music now sits alongside film and television scoring in terms of recognition. For a franchise as musically defined as James Bond, the challenge the composers describe, updating the sound while protecting its identity, is central to how the game will land with long-time fans.