For composer Shalev Grados, the final frontier isn’t just a visual landscape—it’s a sonic one. As a key member of the music team for Paramount+’s hit series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Grados is helping to craft the spaced out sounds in one of science fiction’s most beloved franchises. Working alongside award-winning lead composer Nami Melumad, Grados has contributed to the show’s emotional resonance since Seasons 3, with his work extending into the upcoming Seasons 4 and 5.
In an exclusive interview, Grados opened up about the delicate balance of orchestration, the legacy of sci-fi scoring, and how to translate the show’s core themes of hope and exploration into music that critics and fans have hailed as one of the best Star Trek soundtracks to date.
A Collaboration Built on Trust and Musical Language
The journey to the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise began long before the first note of the series was recorded. Grados’ collaboration with Melumad is rooted in a shared history of film and television scoring.
“I began working with Nami Melumad through our broader collaboration in film and television scoring,” Grados explains. “Over time, as her work on Strange New Worlds expanded, I became involved as part of the music team supporting the show.”
However, working on a franchise as storied as Star Trek requires more than just technical skill; it demands a deep understanding of the universe’s emotional DNA. Grados notes that the relationship grew “organically through trust, shared musical language, and a deep understanding of the Star Trek universe.”
“On a show like this, continuity and musical sensitivity are crucial,” Grados says. “Once you understand the emotional and narrative DNA of the series, you can meaningfully contribute to shaping its sound across seasons.”
The Architecture of Optimism
Strange New Worlds has been praised for returning to the franchise’s episodic roots, often infusing episodes with a sense of joy, adventure, and distinct tonal shifts. For the music team, this requires a flexible palette that remains cohesive. Grados attributes the soundtrack’s emotional impact to a specific philosophy: sincerity.
“Star Trek, at its core, is hopeful—it’s about curiosity, humanity, and exploration,” Grados notes. “Musically, that means leaning into strong themes, clear harmonic language, and melodies that feel aspirational rather than cynical.”
Rather than relying solely on bombastic orchestral swells, Grados and the team utilize restraint and orchestral color to tell the story. “Not every moment needs to be big,” he says. “Sometimes optimism comes from simplicity—a single line, a held harmony, or a gentle lift. The goal is always to support the story emotionally, not overpower it.”
Anticipating Emotion: From Fear to Joy
The Strange New Worlds soundtrack is renowned for its ability to pivot seamlessly from the terror of a Gorn encounter to the comedic absurdity of a musical episode (featured in Season 2). Grados explains that the secret lies in anticipation rather than reaction.
“Music often enters before the audience consciously knows what they’re supposed to feel,” Grados explains. “For fear, that might mean instability, unresolved harmony, subtle rhythmic tension, or sparse orchestration. For joy, it’s often about lift: harmonic resolution, open intervals, or forward motion.”
He emphasizes that the audience can discern the difference between music that guides them and music that manipulates them. “The key is emotional honesty,” Grados states.
A Diverse and Evolving Portfolio
While Strange New Worlds is a highlight, Shalev Grados’ resume is a testament to his versatility in the competitive Los Angeles scoring scene. A Los Angeles–based composer and music producer with a background in rock, jazz, classical orchestration, and modern hybrid scoring, Grados has contributed to major studio projects across film, television, and video games.
Beyond his work on Strange New Worlds, Grados has worked on Star Trek: Prodigy (Season 2), Disney’s Dream Production TV Series, and Marvel Studios’ What If…? (Season 3), where he assisted in music preparation and scoring support. His work has taken him to world-class recording venues such as Warner Bros., the Fox Newman Scoring Stage, and the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.
His credits also extend to the indie film space, having worked on the Tribeca award-winning Griffin in Summer, as well as The Ice Cream Man and America’s Loudest Rabbi. These projects showcase his ability to handle everything from grand orchestral sessions to intimate, character-driven storytelling.
Scoring Outer Space
The legacy of Star Trek music is a heavy one, carrying the weight of Alexander Courage’s iconic original theme and decades of fan expectations. Grados views the history of science-fiction scoring not as a burden, but as a roadmap for how humanity imagines the future.
“Science-fiction scoring has always reflected how humanity imagines the future,” Grados reflects. “Star Trek occupies a unique place in that history because it blends futuristic ideas with very human values. That legacy informs everything we do on the show.”
This philosophy—that the show is ultimately about the characters, not just the ships—is central to Grados’ approach. “We’re not just scoring space… we’re scoring people in space.”
