“Nights Are for Love” by Sons of Raphael is the main title theme from the new show Étoile. On those terms alone, it has succeeded: No remote is skipping the intro. The Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk) produced track is raw material for channeling the whimsy of that iconic Brady Bunch opener, but in the form of tongue-in-cheek disco. As the chorus kicks in—”Nights are…for love / the stars are for the heavens above”—the show’s stars are smirking at their own genius, cooking up plots against rivals. As the piano plays stomping disco, the big city is featured in montage, as humble passerby mix together to form the engine of the show’s world, and wide angles reveal mischief beneath the evening. The next episode is now an addiction. Sometimes TV theme songs float beneath consciousness, only later revealing themselves to the viewer as songs proper, things to be listened to. At other times, they reek of the functional score, never meant to be heard alone. “Nights Are for Love” was meant to be added to a playlist. Further, it will work on the minds of critics to see comedy in cringe, to see creativity where it is not. “Nights” is a piece of Étoile propaganda. Well done.

7.6/10

Order “Nights Are For Love (Main Title Theme from “Étoile)” HERE