The music of Gotham City’s underworld is a character in itself, and *The Penguin* Episode 3, titled "Bliss," delivered a sonic experience that was both intoxicating and deeply unsettling. Released in October 2024, this pivotal episode didn't just advance Oswald "Oz" Cobblepot's ruthless ascent; it used a meticulously curated soundtrack of licensed tracks and a powerful original score to explore the episode’s central theme: the dangerous allure of the new drug, "Bliss." The song choices are a masterclass in mood-setting, perfectly complementing the tense flashbacks of Victor "Vic" Valenzuela and the chaotic, neon-drenched club scenes where the drug takes hold.
For fans and music aficionados alike, tracing the origins of these tracks—from pulsing electronic beats to moody R&B—is essential to understanding the episode's emotional weight. This definitive guide breaks down every key licensed song, details the context of their placement, and explores the chilling original score elements crafted by composer Mick Giacchino, solidifying the series’ unique musical identity within *The Batman* universe.
The Complete Licensed Song List for "Bliss" (Episode 3)
Episode 3, "Bliss," uses a powerful mix of genres—Hip-Hop, Latin, and electronic dance music—to define the atmosphere of Gotham’s high-stakes criminal nightlife. These songs are not mere background noise; they are carefully selected to underscore key character moments, particularly those involving Vic Valenzuela, the new drug, and the burgeoning power struggle between Oz Cobblepot and the Falcone family.
Here is the full list of every licensed song featured in *The Penguin* Episode 3:
- "Man Down" by VeFROMLA (feat. M.O.R.G.)
- "Coco Y Ron" by Daniel Indart
- "Switch" by 6LACK
- "Cold" by 24HR World
- "Sugar Honey Iced Tea" by Dani Stevenson
- "In Your Lungs" by Street Fever
- "Came For The Low" by ZHU & partywithray
- "KHOMUS" by Corvad
- "Broken Belief" by Bob Moses
Deep Dive: The Most Impactful Musical Moments in "Bliss"
The episode title, "Bliss," is a direct reference to the powerful new psychoactive drug introduced by Sofia Falcone, distributed by Oz Cobblepot, and tragically linked to Vic Valenzuela. The music in this episode often mirrors the drug’s high and the subsequent chaotic fallout.
1. "Coco Y Ron" by Daniel Indart: The False Sense of Home
One of the most poignant placements is the use of "Coco Y Ron." This track plays during a flashback scene where Vic is having a conversation with his mother and father in his apartment. The Latin-infused track provides a fleeting moment of familial warmth and normalcy, a stark contrast to the trauma and PTSD that Vic suffers from the seawall collapse and the dark path he is currently on. The music lulls the viewer into a sense of security that is quickly shattered by the episode’s events.
2. "Switch" by 6LACK: Vic’s Brief Escape
The song "Switch" by 6LACK is heard during a scene where Vic is hanging out with his girlfriend, offering another brief respite from the harsh realities of Gotham's crime world. The moody R&B track perfectly captures the fleeting, intimate moments of a young man trying to maintain a semblance of a normal life amidst a life of violence and criminal enterprise. The lyrics and atmosphere of the song hint at the duality and the inevitable "switch" in his life.
3. The Club Sequence: "Came For The Low" and "KHOMUS"
The club scenes are where the "Bliss" drug, and the episode's soundtrack, truly collide. The music here is aggressive, electronic, and overwhelming, designed to simulate the sensory overload and euphoric chaos of the drug. Tracks like "Came For The Low" by ZHU & partywithray and the bruising, beautiful electronic track "KHOMUS" by Corvad define this sequence. The music and flashing lights intensify Vic's PTSD, creating a disorienting, high-octane backdrop for the drug distribution and the escalating tension between the crime families.
Mick Giacchino’s Original Score: The Sound of Cobblepot’s Ascent
While the licensed tracks set the contemporary scene, the backbone of *The Penguin*'s dramatic tension is the original score by Mick Giacchino, a composer with deep roots in *The Batman* universe. Giacchino's work for the series is a continuation of the moody, orchestral, and percussive soundscape established in the 2022 film.
Thematic Entities and Score Highlights
The score in "Bliss" is crucial for bridging the licensed music with the core narrative of Oz Cobblepot's ambition. Giacchino’s score tracks provide the necessary gravitas and menace as Oz maneuvers against the Maroni and Falcone families.
Key thematic entities from the official soundtrack album that resonate with the events of Episode 3 include:
- "Scherzo for a Flightless Bird (The Penguin Theme)": This is Oz's central theme—a dramatic, almost mocking piece that captures his waddling gait and his deceptive, rising ambition. It's the sound of the future crime boss in the making.
- "Time to Ascend": A track title that perfectly encapsulates Oz’s entire arc in the series, particularly in "Bliss" as he takes the next step in his hostile takeover.
- "Mother of Oz (Bonus Track)": While a bonus track, its title points to the critical role of Oz's mother, Francis, whose influence and memory—often played over the score—drive his actions and emotional vulnerability.
- "Sofia’s Suite": The score also develops themes for other major players, such as Sofia Falcone, whose manipulative introduction of the "Bliss" drug is a central plot point of the episode.
The original score works to ground the episode's emotional core, providing a dark, orchestral counterpoint to the slick, modern licensed songs. This duality in the musical choices—the raw, classical tension of the score versus the electronic, street-level energy of the songs—is what makes *The Penguin*’s soundtrack so compelling and critically acclaimed.
The Topical Authority of Music in Gotham’s Crime Saga
The soundtrack of *The Penguin* is more than just a playlist; it's a narrative tool that enhances the topical authority of the series by deeply embedding the story in a specific cultural moment. The inclusion of artists like 6LACK and ZHU ensures the show feels current and gritty, reflecting a modern, post-*The Batman* Gotham.
The musical choices in "Bliss" serve several key functions for the viewer:
- Character Depth: The music humanizes characters like Vic Valenzuela, showing his internal conflict and his attempts at a normal life before his PTSD and the drug trade consume him.
- Atmospheric Immersion: The club tracks instantly transport the audience into the high-energy, dangerous environment of the Gotham underworld, making the introduction of the "Bliss" drug feel visceral and immediate.
- Thematic Reinforcement: The contrast between Giacchino's ominous, dark score and the licensed music underscores the central conflict: the old-world, operatic crime families being challenged by a new, unpredictable, and modern menace (Oz Cobblepot).
From the subtle, haunting notes of the original score that follow Oz Cobblepot's every move to the explosive beats of the licensed tracks that define the "Bliss" drug scenes, *The Penguin* Episode 3, "Bliss," is a masterclass in soundtrack curation. It uses music to not only entertain but to deepen the emotional and thematic complexity of its characters and the decaying city they inhabit. This blend of classic orchestral scoring and contemporary street sounds ensures the episode remains a memorable highlight of the series.
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