Hideo Kojima is a man of specific tastes. If you’ve followed his career for more than five minutes, you know he doesn't just "pick" a soundtrack. He curates an entire vibe. When the first Death Stranding dropped in 2019, the haunting, synth-heavy title track by CHVRCHES didn't just play over the credits—it defined the emotional payoff of Sam Porter Bridges’ grueling trek across a fractured America. Naturally, as we crawl closer to the release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, everyone is asking the same thing: Are the Scottish synth-pop icons coming back?
It matters.
Music isn't window dressing in Kojima Productions' games; it's the connective tissue. The relationship between Death Stranding 2 CHVRCHES rumors and the actual development cycle is a rabbit hole of Instagram posts, cryptic tweets, and the undeniable chemistry between Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, Martin Doherty, and the legendary game designer himself. Honestly, the first game’s ending wouldn't have hit half as hard without Mayberry’s ethereal vocals soaring over those heavy, industrial beats. It was a moment of catharsis.
The Kojima and CHVRCHES Connection
Kojima is basically a professional fanboy. He loves movies, he loves tech, and he deeply loves CHVRCHES. This isn't just a business transaction where a label sends over a track for a fee. It’s a genuine friendship. We’ve seen the photos of the band visiting Kojima’s studio in Tokyo, posing with the life-sized Ludens statue and getting scanned into the game’s engine.
Remember when CHVRCHES released "Death Stranding" as a standalone single? It wasn't just a B-side. It was a song written specifically for the world Kojima built. Lauren Mayberry has spoken openly about how the band was given themes and concepts—isolation, connection, the "strand" philosophy—and they translated that into a soundscape that felt both lonely and hopeful.
There's a specific nuance to why this partnership works. Kojima’s games are often accused of being "too much"—too much exposition, too much weirdness, too much "Kojima." But CHVRCHES provides a grounded, human heartbeat to all that high-concept sci-fi. If Death Stranding 2 CHVRCHES collaborations happen, they'll likely lean into the new themes of the sequel: the "On the Beach" subtitle suggests a focus on the afterlife, memory, and perhaps a darker tone than the first game.
What We Know About the DS2 Soundtrack So Far
Official confirmation is a slippery thing in the gaming world. As of right now, Kojima has been flaunting his work with various artists. We saw the inclusion of the Japanese band Brother Sun Sister Moon in one of the early trailers. We know Woodkid is involved in some capacity. But the silence regarding a main theme is loud.
Usually, Kojima saves his biggest musical reveals for the final marketing push.
If you look at the trajectory of the first game, the CHVRCHES track was the "big" reveal for the Timefall album. It would be almost strange to have a sequel to Death Stranding without that specific sonic signature. Fans are scouring social media for any hint of the band being back in Japan. Kojima loves to drop breadcrumbs. A photo of a vinyl record. A casual "listening to..." post on X. It’s all part of the game before the game.
The stakes are higher now. Death Stranding 2 looks more ambitious, more colorful, and frankly, more unhinged than the first. We’ve got a puppet companion voiced by Fatih Akin. We’ve got George Miller showing up as a character. We’ve got Troy Baker returning as a sort of glam-rock version of Higgs. The musical landscape needs to be just as eclectic.
Why the Fans Are Obsessed with This Pairing
It’s about the "Death Stranding" song itself. It’s a masterpiece of tie-in media.
Most games get a generic orchestral score. Maybe they license a popular song for a trailer. But CHVRCHES did something different. They captured the literal mechanics of the game—the walking, the falling, the connecting—in the lyrics. "You can take my heart / Hold it at the center of your own" isn't just a romantic sentiment in this context; it's a literal description of the BB unit and the bridges we build between players.
When people search for Death Stranding 2 CHVRCHES, they aren't just looking for news. They're looking for an emotional confirmation. They want to know if that feeling of solitary wonder is coming back. The first game was a "walking simulator" that turned into a profound meditation on human survival. The music was the guide.
Let's talk about Lauren Mayberry's solo career for a second. She’s been doing her own thing recently, which led some to worry that the band was on hiatus. But Iain and Martin have been active, and the band has consistently stated they aren't done. In fact, a project like Death Stranding 2 is exactly the kind of "special event" that brings a band like CHVRCHES back together into the studio, even if they are pursuing individual interests.
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Speculating on the Sound of On the Beach
If they return, what does it sound like?
The first game’s track was peak synth-pop. It was clean. It was soaring.
Death Stranding 2 feels a bit more "grit and glitter." The trailer featuring Higgs with an electric guitar-axe suggests a move toward something more aggressive. Maybe CHVRCHES shifts their style too? Imagine a darker, more distorted version of their sound. Something that reflects the shifting sands and the "Beach" that Sam is now navigating.
Kojima’s use of music is often diegetic—meaning characters actually listen to it. In the first game, you could play music in your private room to help Sam recover. This mechanic created a deep personal bond between the player and the soundtrack. You weren't just hearing a song; you were resting to it. You were healing to it. If Death Stranding 2 CHVRCHES tracks are included, they will likely serve that same purpose: a beacon of safety in a world that wants to dissolve you.
The "Timefall" Legacy
We can't talk about this without mentioning the Timefall album. That was a curated collection of music inspired by the game, featuring Major Lazer, Khalid, and Bring Me The Horizon. It was a mixed bag, honestly. Some tracks felt like they belonged, others felt like corporate filler.
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But the CHVRCHES track stood out as the "true" anthem.
For the sequel, the expectation is a more integrated musical experience. Kojima has been spending a lot of time with musicians lately. His "Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds" documentary highlighted just how much he views musicians as essential collaborators, not just vendors.
Is it possible we get a full CHVRCHES-scored sequence? Not just a credit song, but an interactive moment where the music reacts to your movement? That would be the next logical step.
How to Stay Updated on Death Stranding 2 Music News
If you're desperate for a confirmation, there are a few places to watch that aren't just the official PlayStation channels.
- Kojima’s Instagram: This is his primary mode of communication. He posts what he’s eating, what he’s watching, and who he’s hanging out with. If the band shows up in a grainy photo at a cafe in Minato, they're in the game.
- The Game Awards: Geoff Keighley and Hideo Kojima are best friends. Major musical reveals for Kojima games almost always happen on the TGA stage.
- Radio Sessions: CHVRCHES are frequent guests on BBC Radio 1 and other outlets. They are often surprisingly candid about "secret" projects when asked by savvy interviewers.
The reality of game development in 2026 is that everything is under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) until it isn't. But the cultural momentum behind Death Stranding 2 CHVRCHES is too strong to ignore. It’s one of those rare instances where the fan demand and the creator’s vision perfectly align.
Practical Steps for the Waiting Fan
While we wait for the official drop, there’s plenty to do to prep your ears for what’s coming.
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- Listen to Lauren Mayberry’s solo work: It gives you an idea of her current vocal range and the themes she’s exploring. It’s a bit more stripped back, which might hint at a more intimate sound for the sequel.
- Revisit the 'Timefall' album: Don't just skip to the hits. Listen to the texture of the synth work. Kojima likes continuity. The sonic "language" of the first game will likely be the foundation for the second.
- Follow Kojima Productions on Spotify: They actually maintain playlists. It’s a great way to see what Hideo is listening to during the editing phase. If he starts adding a lot of synth-heavy tracks, you know where his head is at.
The wait for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is long. It's grueling. It's a bit like carrying a stack of packages over a mountain in the rain. But if the end of that journey includes a new CHVRCHES anthem, it'll all be worth it. The connection between the band and the game isn't just marketing; it's a "strand" in itself. And in Kojima’s world, those strands are the only things that keep us human.
Look for the next major trailer. Usually, that’s where the "main" artist gets their first real spotlight. Keep your eyes on the credits and your ears open for that signature 808-kick and shimmering synth lead. It’s coming.