By Clarissa Brooks
June 20, 2025

Season Seven of Love Island USA has once again captivated viewers with its signature blend of sun-soaked romance, high-stakes drama — and, perhaps most notably, an unforgettable soundtrack. Picking up right where 2024 left off, the show continues to set the gold standard for pop music integration in reality television.

Set in a picturesque Fijian villa, the show features a rotating cast of attractive singles searching for love — and a $100,000 prize. Returning host Ariana Madix is back to guide the journey, but it’s the series’ expertly curated music that’s become its secret weapon.

This year’s musical backdrop has been stronger than ever, pairing pivotal moments — like first kisses and explosive breakups — with tracks by Ravyn Lenae, Tate McRae, and Olivia Rodrigo. The show draws inspiration from its U.K. counterpart’s use of indie-pop covers but has carved out a uniquely American voice that blends mainstream hits with under-the-radar gems.

DJ Ears Meet Reality TV

Executive producer James Barker, a former nightlife DJ, credits Love Island UK as his lightbulb moment. “When I first saw the U.K. version, I thought, ‘This is next-level storytelling,’” he recalls. “It made me want to work on a show where pop music feels like an emotional narrator.”

Joining Barker behind the scenes are music supervisors Meryl Ginsberg (ASAP Clearances) and Sara Torres, who handle both creative and legal logistics. With over 1.2 billion viewing minutes logged by week two alone (per Luminate), Love Island USA’s seventh season is already dominating summer viewership — and every well-placed chorus matters.

Building the Perfect Playlist — Overnight

The show’s fast-paced schedule leaves no room for delay. “What we film Monday is edited by Tuesday and on air that night,” says Barker. “We pre-clear hundreds — sometimes thousands — of tracks so we’re ready for any twist.”

This rapid turnaround means having music on standby for any scenario: budding romances, dramatic exits, or steamy Hideaway nights. “We look for songs that capture the vibe and lyrics of whatever could unfold,” Barker explains.

Torres and Ginsberg begin securing music months before production. “Labels know the Love Island sound now, so they’re quick to send pitches,” says Torres. “And some artists are fans of the show themselves — they’re excited to be part of it.”

Syncs That Launch Careers

For emerging artists, Love Island USA can be a game-changer. “I’ve had artists tell me they didn’t have to take another restaurant shift because of a sync check,” says Torres. “That kind of impact makes everything worth it.”

Barker agrees. “Watching an indie artist see their song on TV for the first time is incredible,” he says. “That excitement is unmatched.”

The stigma once associated with placing songs on reality TV is fading fast. Artists now recognize the reach and revenue potential of a well-timed placement on a show like Love Island — especially one known for viral moments.

Licensing the Sound of Summer

According to Ginsberg, much of the licensing process comes down to relationships. “The music industry knows how valuable placement is, and we’ve built trust over time,” she says. “We’re proactive about reaching out and getting the necessary approvals lined up in advance.”

Once Torres filters the song submissions, she flags top contenders to Barker’s team. “We prioritize what might work for key scenes and push to get those cleared first,” Ginsberg says. “But things can shift quickly — we’re constantly adding to the list mid-season.”

Breaking Musical Ground

Season Six helped elevate Love Island USA’s pop credibility with music by Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter. That momentum carried over into this year, giving the team more freedom to take risks.

Barker, who is openly queer, sees value in bringing LGBTQ+ representation into the mix. “Even though the show is very heteronormative, including queer artists helps us reach different audiences and tell more universal stories,” he says. “Love and heartbreak resonate across the board.”

One standout from this season: Olivia Rodrigo’s angst-driven “Bad Idea Right?” scoring a fiery kiss between Ace and Chelley. “We’d been holding onto that track, waiting for the right moment,” Barker reveals. “And then it just clicked.”

Going Beyond the Top 40

The show also continues to spotlight up-and-coming talent and unconventional covers. This season, Barker and Torres worked with Champagne Breakfast, a boutique production company, to create custom tracks. For the Leather and Lace party, they commissioned a sultry reinterpretation of Rihanna’s “S&M” — tailor-made for the villa’s steamy vibe.

“Moments like that are when the music feels truly cinematic,” says Barker.

Navigating the Industry Shift

While the show’s musical acclaim has grown, budget challenges persist. “TV budgets are tighter than ever, so we’re constantly balancing creativity with cost,” Ginsberg says.

Still, the passion behind the scenes keeps things moving. “Everyone on the team really cares,” Torres adds. “You can feel it in the way the music is handled. There’s a lot of love here — in the show and in the soundtrack.”

Matching Music to Moments, Not People

When it comes to choosing songs, Barker avoids assigning music to specific couples. “We don’t want to stereotype. Instead, we score the moments — the Hideaway, movie nights, challenges — in a way that resonates universally,” he says.

That said, subtle nods do exist. “We knew Taylor [a main cast member] had country roots, so we included some country tracks,” Barker admits. “Not to define his story, but to offer some grounding.”

With Season Seven still unfolding, one thing’s for sure: Love Island USA has cracked the code for merging real emotions with the right musical backdrop — and fans are listening.

original article: RollingStone