• Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in 'Stranger Things'. All photos: Netflix
    Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in 'Stranger Things'. All photos: Netflix
  • From left: Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke), Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin).
    From left: Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke), Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin).
  • Sink and McLaughlin in volume two. One of the more pressing questions from the latest season would be if any key characters would die.
    Sink and McLaughlin in volume two. One of the more pressing questions from the latest season would be if any key characters would die.
  • The first volume of season four ended on a cliffhanger but also revealed the origins of Vecna, the main villain introduced at the start of the season.
    The first volume of season four ended on a cliffhanger but also revealed the origins of Vecna, the main villain introduced at the start of the season.
  • One of the noticeable absents from this season has been of the Mind Flayer, the villainous creature in seasons two and three. Many fans are theorising it could return in the second part of season four.
    One of the noticeable absents from this season has been of the Mind Flayer, the villainous creature in seasons two and three. Many fans are theorising it could return in the second part of season four.
  • A new trailer for part two of season four has been viewed more than four million times within hours of its debut.
    A new trailer for part two of season four has been viewed more than four million times within hours of its debut.
  • The second volume of 'Stranger Things' season four will have two episodes.
    The second volume of 'Stranger Things' season four will have two episodes.
  • The second volume of season four will be available to stream from Netflix on July 1.
    The second volume of season four will be available to stream from Netflix on July 1.

Culture

Music

Upside Down Spotify playlist: the songs to save you from 'Stranger Things' villain Vecna

One of the most memorable scenes from this season involved the power of music — and fans can prepare accordingly

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

July 01, 2022

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Which song would save you from Vecna?

To mark Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 being released on Netflix on Friday, the platform has partnered with Spotify to unveil an Upside Down playlist, which determines what would help you escape the clutches of the show's villain.

The list uses your Spotify listening history to compile 50 tracks, with the top one being the “saviour song”. The easiest way to access the list is by typing "Upside Down" into the search bar on the platform, then clicking on the top result, which shows a photo of Sadie Sink's character Max Mayfield running with a dark red background.

Viewers who are not yet up to date beware, there are spoilers below.

The playlist is tied to an emotional scene in episode four of season four titled Dear Billy. In it, Max is sitting at the grave of her stepbrother Billy when she gets taken by Vecna, who prays on those who have suffered trauma, using his psychic powers to enter their minds while they’re at their most vulnerable.

While she’s in his trance, her friends Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) learn how music can potentially save her from being killed by Vecna. The group quickly put in a tape of her favourite song, Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God), which helps her escape as she runs up a hill to get out of the Upside Down.

After the episode was broadcast, Bush’s song — which was originally released in 1985 — has increased in popularity with a new generation listening to her music. The song also topped the charts in the UK, setting a record for longest time taken for a single to reach No 1.

"I'm overwhelmed by the scale of affection and support the song is receiving and it's all happening really fast, as if it's being driven along by a kind of elemental force," she wrote on her website.

"I have to admit I feel really moved by it all.

"I believe the [show's creators] Duffer Brothers have touched people's hearts in a special way, at a time that's incredibly difficult for everyone, especially younger people," she wrote on Twitter.

"By featuring Running Up That Hill in such a positive light — as a talisman for Max (one of the main female characters) — the song has been brought into the emotional arena of her story," she added.

Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 is now on Netflix.

Scroll the gallery below to see how the main cast's lives has changed since the show began

  • Millie Bobby Brown in season one and season four. She's often described her role as Eleven on the show as 'life-changing'. All photos: Netflix
    Millie Bobby Brown in season one and season four. She's often described her role as Eleven on the show as 'life-changing'. All photos: Netflix
  • Finn Wolfhard in season one and season four. Wolfhard has said in the past how he almost gave up on acting before landing the gig on 'Stranger Things'.
    Finn Wolfhard in season one and season four. Wolfhard has said in the past how he almost gave up on acting before landing the gig on 'Stranger Things'.
  • Noah Schnapp in season one and season four. Although he has limited-speaking role as his character goes missing for the majority in the first season, he has become a major character on the show since.
    Noah Schnapp in season one and season four. Although he has limited-speaking role as his character goes missing for the majority in the first season, he has become a major character on the show since.
  • Gaten Matarazzo in season one and season four. He acted on Broadway, doing stage work, before being cast on 'Stranger Things'.
    Gaten Matarazzo in season one and season four. He acted on Broadway, doing stage work, before being cast on 'Stranger Things'.
  • Caleb McLaughlin in season one and season four. 'I always knew [Stranger Things] was going to be great,' he told 'Teen Vogue' in the past.
    Caleb McLaughlin in season one and season four. 'I always knew [Stranger Things] was going to be great,' he told 'Teen Vogue' in the past.
  • Sadie Sink in season two and season four. She's described in past interviews about how her life totally changed after being cast on the show as Max Mayfield.
    Sadie Sink in season two and season four. She's described in past interviews about how her life totally changed after being cast on the show as Max Mayfield.
  • Natalia Dyer in season one and season four. Since 'Stranger Things', she can be seen in 2019's satrical horror film 'Velvet Buzzsaw' and the comedy-drama 'Yes, God, Yes'.
    Natalia Dyer in season one and season four. Since 'Stranger Things', she can be seen in 2019's satrical horror film 'Velvet Buzzsaw' and the comedy-drama 'Yes, God, Yes'.
  • Joe Keery in season one and season four. Keery first auditioned for the role of Jonathan Byers but was instead offered the part of Steve Harrington on the show.
    Joe Keery in season one and season four. Keery first auditioned for the role of Jonathan Byers but was instead offered the part of Steve Harrington on the show.
  • Charlie Heaton in season one and season four. Although the British actor acted in small roles for ITV and BBC, he's since appeared in Marvel's 'The New Mutants' in 2020.
    Charlie Heaton in season one and season four. Although the British actor acted in small roles for ITV and BBC, he's since appeared in Marvel's 'The New Mutants' in 2020.
Updated: July 02, 2022, 11:45 AM
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