Music - Naomi Scott's Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP Blurs the Line Between Pop Stardom and Horror

By Mulder, 11 october 2024

On October 11, 2024, Naomi Scott stepped into a bold new artistic chapter with the release of Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP, a six-track extended play that doubles as the official soundtrack for the horror-thriller Smile 2. Released under Interscope Records, the EP sees Scott not just portraying the fictional pop star Skye Riley in the film, but also embodying the character through music. This dual-role as both actress and singer offers a rare, immersive experience for fans of both the movie and Scott’s musical talents.

The journey toward the EP’s release began earlier in 2024, when cryptic hints started emerging online, teasing the new identity of Skye Riley. On June 8, 2024, the Instagram account @SkyeRileyNation began posting mysterious updates, signaling the arrival of this new pop icon in the fictional world of Smile 2. Just a few days later, on June 13, horror fans began spotting billboards promoting Riley’s upcoming music and persona, setting the stage for her crossover into the real world. The excitement only grew with the release of the first single, Blood on White Satin, on June 18, which was featured prominently in the first trailer for Smile 2

Blood on White Satin introduced fans to the hauntingly ethereal sound that defines the EP. Its eerie, emotionally charged vibe served as a perfect match for the psychological horror themes of Smile 2. The song's gothic undertones and ghostly atmosphere not only added to the tension of the movie but also helped to establish Skye Riley as a dark pop figure, blending Naomi Scott’s stunning vocals with an unnerving, almost supernatural musical aura

The release of the second single, Grieved You, on September 13, 2024, further solidified Skye Riley’s place in both the horror and music worlds. Written by a star-studded team of songwriters, including David Charles Marshall Biral and Tate McRae, the song’s production is nothing short of cinematic. It evokes a deep emotional resonance as Riley, portrayed by Scott, sings about pain, loss, and confrontation—all recurring themes in the Smile franchise. Grieved You is haunting yet beautiful, showcasing Scott’s range as both a performer and storyteller

The full EP, released just ahead of Smile 2’s theatrical debut on October 18, 2024, takes listeners on a dark and atmospheric journey. With six tracks in total, Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP manages to stand alone as an artistic work while enhancing the emotional narrative of the movie. The tracklist includes:

Grieved You (2:40)
An emotionally charged anthem of loss and regret, Grieved You delves into the psychological depth of Skye Riley’s character arc.

New Brain (3:05)
With its catchy yet unnerving beat, New Brain serves as a metaphor for the internal struggle Riley faces in her rise to stardom, paralleling the eerie tension in the film.

Just My Name (3:32)
One of the most personal tracks on the EP, this song explores Riley’s battle with identity and the loss of self in the face of fame. Its introspective lyrics are amplified by Scott’s powerful vocal performance.

Blood on White Satin (2:43)
A dark, brooding track that lays the groundwork for the film’s unsettling tone, with imagery that evokes the haunting world Riley is drawn into.

Death of Me (2:46)
Arguably the emotional heart of the EP, this song encapsulates the growing fear and paranoia Riley faces as supernatural forces begin to infiltrate her life.

Just My Name (Piano Version) (3:15)
A stripped-down, haunting rendition of the original, offering a raw and vulnerable perspective on the song’s themes

In the film, Naomi Scott’s character Skye Riley is a pop superstar on the verge of launching her biggest world tour. However, as her fame rises, so too do the terrifying and inexplicable events that begin to haunt her life. The horror-thriller, directed by Parker Finn, is a continuation of the psychological and supernatural elements that made the original Smile a sleeper hit in 2022. The film and soundtrack work together to explore the horror of fame, identity, and the public eye, as Skye Riley is forced to confront her darkest demons

As the EP dropped, Naomi Scott’s portrayal of Skye Riley quickly garnered attention. Fans of both her acting and music career praised the emotional depth of the songs, with many noting how seamlessly Scott transitioned between the two mediums. Skye Riley, a character conceived as part of a horror film franchise, had effectively become a musical alter-ego, leading many to speculate whether Scott would continue to release music under this persona beyond the film's promotion.

The collaboration behind the EP features a powerhouse team of songwriters, producers, and engineers, with notable names such as Take A Daytrip, who have previously worked with artists like Lil Nas X, and Neal Pogue, a Grammy Award-winning mix engineer known for his work on Outkast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. These collaborations ensure that Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP offers a high-quality musical experience that transcends traditional movie soundtracks.

With Smile 2 set to release in theaters on October 18, 2024, the EP has already created a massive buzz for what’s to come. Both the film and the music are expected to delve into the sinister complexities of celebrity culture, identity, and the price of fame. As fans eagerly await the film’s release, Naomi Scott’s dual performance as Skye Riley continues to captivate audiences, blending horror, music, and star power in a way few have attempted before.

Ultimately, Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP stands as an ambitious cross-media project that blurs the lines between character and performer. Naomi Scott’s transformation into Skye Riley is more than just a fictional portrayal—it’s an artistic statement that cements her as both a talented actress and a rising force in the music industry

Synopsis :
On the eve of a new world tour, pop star Skye Riley begins to experience events as terrifying as they are inexplicable. Overwhelmed by the pressures of stardom and a daily life that's becoming increasingly horrific, Skye is forced to confront her dark past in an attempt to regain control of her life before it's too late.

Smile 2
Written and directed by Parker Finn
Based on Characters by Parker Finn
Produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, Parker Finn, Robert Salerno
Starring Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Gallner, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, Ray Nicholson
Cinematography : Charlie Sarroff
Production company : Temple Hill Entertainment
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : October 16, 2024 (France), October 18, 2024 (United States)
Running time : 127 minutes