IO Interactive has confirmed the British electronic duo Chase & Status as part of 007 First Light. Their involvement is tied to a live performance setting, where Bond moves through a dense crowd while one of the duo’s remixes plays over the venue’s sound system.
The announcement follows an earlier reveal that Dimitri Vegas will also appear in the game as a DJ performing in Aleph. It remains unclear whether both appearances take place in the same location or point to multiple nightlife environments across the game, leaving the broader structure of these sequences open.
Chase & Status will also contribute two unreleased tracks and appear in-game during the performance, suggesting that the scene is built around their presence rather than relying solely on pre-existing licensed music. It is currently unclear whether these tracks will be limited to this moment or appear elsewhere in the game.
From Breakthrough to Signature Sound
For those less familiar with Chase & Status, the duo — Saul Milton and Will Kennard — met in Manchester and quickly bonded over influences like UK garage, hip-hop, and jungle. Their rise came in the late 2000s, as they fused drum and bass energy with cinematic structure, allowing them to move between underground club culture and mainstream recognition. The duo were also named Producer of the Year at the BRIT Awards 2024.
“End Credits” marked their breakthrough and remains one of their defining tracks. It already carries a strong narrative quality — melancholic, restrained, and almost film-like in its progression — hinting early on at why their music can feel surprisingly close to cinematic scoring.
Fun fact: The track also serves as the official theme and end credits song for the 2009 British crime thriller Harry Brown, starring Michael Caine in the titular role alongside Plan B. Caine, in turn, was a close friend — and briefly shared a flat with John Barry in London during the early 1960s, before both rose to international fame. Barry would go on to define the musical identity of the Bond films for decades.
Chase & Status tracks like “This Moment” continue in a similar vein and are worth exploring as a follow-up.
Collaboration, Atmosphere, and a Cinematic Edge
One of the defining traits of Chase & Status is their consistent use of featured artists. Rather than relying on a single vocal identity, they build tracks around distinct voices, allowing each release to take on its own tone. This flexibility lets them move effortlessly between heavy club tracks and more emotional, melodic compositions.
“Mixed Emotions” leans into that softer side, and the behind-the-scenes footage above reveals something particularly interesting: the duo is clearly comfortable working with live instrumentation and orchestral elements. That combination of electronic production and cinematic layering brings their sound closer to the kind of hybrid approach often associated with modern game scores — including what 007 First Light appears to aim for. If you like the tone here, the full version is worth exploring, while tracks like “Replaced” push further into that melodic direction.
At the same time, Chase & Status are known for their high-energy live performances, often backed by a full band, which has earned them recognition such as Best Live Act at the UK Festival Awards. That balance between atmosphere and intensity is a key part of their identity.
From Racing Soundtracks to Bond’s World
Their music has already proven to work in fast-moving, high-intensity environments. Tracks by the duo have appeared in games like Need for Speed Shift, F1 2010, and Dirt 3, where speed, motion, and energy are essential to the experience.
It’s the kind of sound that translates easily into motion — whether at full speed in an Aston Martin or in the middle of a packed club. Their tracks can sit just as naturally within a dancing crowd as they can underscore a close-quarters fight in a side room, not unlike the grounded intensity seen in Casino Royale.
“Baddadan” captures that raw, driving energy — the kind of sound that helps define the pace of a scene. For a more stripped-back, relentless drive, “No Problem” offers a fitting counterpart and is worth checking out as a follow-up.
Expanding the Sound of 007 First Light
With their involvement, Chase & Status join a growing lineup of artists contributing to the 007 First Light soundtrack.
The game’s title track, “First Light,” is performed by Lana Del Rey and co-written with David Arnold, whose work has long been associated with the Bond franchise.
The original score is composed by The Flight, who have also collaborated with individual artists on selected tracks, pointing to a broader, more hybrid approach to the game’s music.
Alongside this, artists such as Dimitri Vegas and now Chase & Status contribute to the game’s contemporary music layer, complemented by licensed music featured throughout the experience.
