The music of The Lowdown does more than set a mood. Its blend of roots rock, blues, vintage soul, and funk gives FX’s Tulsa-set crime comedy a sense of place—and helps separate Lee Raybon’s messy investigations from the polished worlds of the powerful people he pursues.
For Season 2, the clearest confirmed musical detail is the official trailer’s use of Cymande’s “Brothers on the Slide.” FX also maintains an official The Lowdown music page, while Apple Music lists The Lowdown (Original Soundtrack) by Oklahoma-born musician JD McPherson as a 21-track release dated March 6, 2026. Those official listening destinations are the best starting points for fans who want to explore the show’s music without relying on unverified scene-by-scene song lists.
JD McPherson’s score brings Oklahoma roots into the frame
McPherson’s music is grounded in rock ’n’ roll, rhythm and blues, and rockabilly rather than the anonymous tension cues often heard in crime dramas. That palette suits a show whose lead is a stubborn local journalist working out of a rare-book store, not a glamorous metropolitan newsroom. The sound feels handmade, a little scuffed around the edges, and tied to a specific American musical tradition.
Apple Music lists a 21-song The Lowdown (Original Soundtrack) release by McPherson. Its track titles—including “Tulsa Nocturne,” “A White Van,” and “Lee’s Theme (Dale’s Eulogy)”—suggest how the score can function as more than background: it can connect a city, a character, and the emotional residue of an investigation. Track names alone do not prove where every cue appears, so listeners should use the official album and episode credits for exact placements.
Why Cymande’s funk works for the Season 2 trailer
The Season 2 trailer uses “Brothers on the Slide” by Cymande, the British funk group whose sound draws on funk, soul, and Caribbean musical influences. Its relaxed groove gives the trailer swagger without turning the show into a conventional action thriller. That contrast is a good match for Lee: he is often in over his head, but he rarely enters a room without believing he can talk his way through it.
The choice also demonstrates how a carefully selected licensed song can do a different job from an original score. McPherson’s music can help hold scenes together from within; a recognizable funk track can announce the show’s attitude in a few seconds. The two approaches complement each other, but they should not be confused: the trailer song is confirmed by the official trailer, while any claim about a song appearing in a specific episode should be checked against that episode’s credits.
The Tulsa Sound: a useful musical backdrop, not a shortcut
Tulsa has a rich musical history, and the broader Tulsa Sound is often associated with a loose blend of blues, country, rock, and understated grooves. Artists such as J.J. Cale and Leon Russell are part of that regional story. Their music provides helpful context for understanding why a series set in Oklahoma might lean toward warm guitar tones and lived-in rhythms. That context is not evidence that a particular legacy song appears in Season 2; confirmed placements should come from official episode credits or the show’s own playlist.
These musical roots matter because the show’s setting is not just scenery. A regional sound can make Tulsa feel like a community with its own memory, taste, and contradictions—not merely a backdrop for a mystery. That is especially valuable in a series where Lee’s reporting depends on knowing the people and places that outsiders overlook.
Where to listen to The Lowdown soundtrack
- FX’s official The Lowdown music page — the network’s playlist and music information.
- JD McPherson on Apple Music — includes The Lowdown (Original Soundtrack).
- FX’s official video extras — trailers and behind-the-scenes clips.
For fans building a Season 2 playlist, the safest method is to start with the official FX music page, then compare any additional song claims with the episode’s end credits. Fan-made playlists can be useful discovery tools, but they may mix Season 1 tracks, trailer music, and songs that have not yet been confirmed for a particular episode.
Frequently asked questions
Who composed the original music for The Lowdown?
JD McPherson is associated with the series’ original score. Apple Music lists a 21-track release titled The Lowdown (Original Soundtrack).
What song plays in The Lowdown Season 2 trailer?
The Season 2 trailer features “Brothers on the Slide” by Cymande. For exact music used in individual episodes, check the official credits and FX’s music page.
Where can I find The Lowdown Season 2 soundtrack?
Start with FX’s official music page and JD McPherson’s Apple Music page.
Does every Tulsa-related artist mentioned appear on the Season 2 soundtrack?
No. J.J. Cale and Leon Russell are included here as musical context for Tulsa’s history, not as confirmed Season 2 tracks. Song placements should be verified through official episode credits.
Sources and image credits
- FX Networks — The Lowdown music playlist
- FX Networks — Official video extras and trailer
- Apple Music — JD McPherson and The Lowdown (Original Soundtrack)
- JD McPherson photo — Wikimedia Commons, GFDL 1.2
- JD McPherson live photo — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cymande live photo — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
- J.J. Cale photo — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Leon Russell photo — Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the United States
By Shivam Das
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