Author: Anniyah Fitzhugh
Credits: @offcampusonprime – Instagram
Everyone is obsessed with Off Campus right now. The chemistry, the cast, and the endless edits all over TikTok have completely taken over social media, and honestly, valid. But after sitting in on a 1824 press conference with Ella Bright, executive music producer Alana Da Fonseca, and music supervisor Amanda Thomas, one thing stood out beyond all the romance and tension: the soundtrack.
The music in Off Campus feels carefully curated in a way that makes every scene hit harder emotionally. Every song fits naturally into the story, making it almost impossible to separate the music from the characters themselves. Once you actually sit down and listen to Off Campus: The Mixtape, it becomes clear just how intentional every song choice really was.
Throughout the press conference, the creative team repeatedly emphasized how collaborative the soundtrack process was from the very beginning. Amanda Thomas explained that authenticity was one of the most important aspects of building the show’s musical identity. As a “book girly” herself, she understood how important it was for the soundtrack to resonate with longtime readers while also connecting with audiences discovering the story for the first time through the series.
The soundtrack balances timeless influences with modern sounds, something that can be heard throughout the mixtape.
One of the strongest examples of this is Remi Wolf’s rendition of “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol. The track combines the energy of the original song with Remi Wolf’s fresh pop style, creating a version that feels both nostalgic while still sounding current.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIiD72OfJUA&list=RDaIiD72OfJUA&start_radio=1
What makes the song choice even more interesting is that the original version of “Dancing With Myself” appears during the opening sequence of episode one. That recurring musical connection really aided in establishing emotional continuity between Hannah and Garrett throughout the series. It is a subtle detail, but one that really stood out to me and added another layer to the storytelling when I was binge-watching the series.
The collaboration with Remi Wolf became another standout moment discussed during the press conference. Not only did her rendition of “Dancing With Myself” become an important part of the soundtrack, but she also made a cameo appearance in the series itself. The creative team spoke about how much energy and excitement she brought to the set and how naturally she fit into the world of the show.
Before finalizing the soundtrack, the creative team also spoke with Ella Bright and other cast members about their own music tastes and the kinds of songs they felt their characters would realistically listen to. That attention to detail is noticeable throughout the soundtrack. Nothing feels randomly placed. Every song feels connected to a specific emotion or relationship.
https://open.spotify.com/album/5CJqPFrc9hPete87L5DFSN?si=qVAgRvkHTgOEvAsre_PcPA
Further into the press conference, Amanda Thomas shared that Hannah and Garrett’s relationship was rooted in their shared love of classic rock and oldies from the very beginning. “Dancing With Myself,” among many others, became one of the defining musical references for their relationship, establishing their musical connectivity early on.
That blend of older influences mixed with indie pop and alternative sounds is what makes the soundtrack stand out. One moment, the soundtrack feels nostalgic and warm, and the next, it shifts into emotionally heavy indie tracks that completely change the atmosphere of a scene.
Which honestly feels very Hannah and Garrett.
Music also played a major role in Ella Bright’s character development process. During the press conference, she shared that she created playlists for Hannah while preparing for the role because music says so much about a person emotionally. She specifically mentioned listening to Noah Kahan’s “Call Your Mom” while preparing for emotional scenes involving Hannah’s relationship with her mother.
Even though “Call Your Mom” did not make the final cut of the series, Ella explained that using music during preparation helped her emotionally connect to the character while filming.
What makes the Off Campus soundtrack even more special is how much care went into building it beyond simply choosing songs that sounded good in scenes. The soundtrack features a combination of covers, original songs, and unreleased tracks from artists who connected with the story and wanted to be part of it. Alana Da Fonseca shared that artists like Asha Banks were excited to let the show use their music, making the soundtrack feel even more personal and connected to the world of Off Campus.
In the end, what makes this soundtrack so well curated is that it does far more than simply fill the silence between scenes. Every track adds emotional depth to the relationships, characters, and overall atmosphere of the series. The music actively shapes how audiences experience the story.
So yes, stream Off Campus and Off Campus: The Mixtape. But while watching the series, pay attention to the songs playing throughout each episode. The soundtrack is not just background music. It is storytelling just as much as the dialogue itself.
Anniyah Fitzhugh | Productions Director