Tony is a 2026 biographical drama from director Matt Johnson that follows a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain during a life-changing summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Dominic Sessa leads a cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Emilia Jones, and Leo Woodall.
The music comes from Johnson’s longtime collaborator Jay McCarrol. His score was released as a 12-track album by A24 Music on August 7, 2026.
Built around a felt piano, accordion, and harmonium, the score sits alongside period songs from artists such as Brian Eno, The Stooges, and Kool & The Gang.
Tony Soundtrack (2026) Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film Name | Tony |
| Director | Matt Johnson |
| Studio / Distributor | A24 |
| Production Companies | Star Thrower Entertainment, Zapruder Films, Live Free or Die Films |
| Platform | Theatrical release (United States) |
| Film Release Date | August 7, 2026 (limited); August 21, 2026 (nationwide) |
| Composer | Jay McCarrol |
| Music Supervisor | Mandy Mamlet |
| Label | A24 Music |
| Soundtrack Release Date | August 7, 2026 |
| Total Tracks | 12 |
| Album Runtime | About 18 minutes |
| Film Runtime | 106 minutes |
Tony Soundtrack Overview
The official album, Tony (Original Soundtrack), collects 12 score cues by Jay McCarrol and runs about 18 minutes. A24 Music released it digitally on August 7, 2026, the same day the film opened in New York and Los Angeles.
McCarrol built the score around an old felt piano, with accordion and harmonium adding a nautical feel that suits the Provincetown setting. He has described the tone as dark and dignified, with a trace of youthful uncertainty.
The album stays intimate rather than grand. Its cues are meant to reflect Tony’s inner thoughts, while the film’s period songs bring the loud, rebellious energy.
A vinyl edition on split sea blue and whitewater vinyl is up for pre-order through the A24 Shop. Culture Clash Records lists a November 20, 2026 release date, and the pressing adds Old Cape Cod by Patti Page.
Who Composed Tony Soundtrack?
Jay McCarrol is a Canadian composer, musician, screenwriter, and actor from Toronto. He studied at Berklee College of Music and later became a musical director at The Second City in Toronto.
He co-created the series Nirvanna the Band the Show with Matt Johnson. McCarrol has scored all five of Johnson’s feature films, including BlackBerry (2023).
McCarrol won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Original Score for BlackBerry. He also won Best Original Song at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, alongside Johnson, for The Alphabet Song from Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.
Outside film, he formed the synth-pop duo Brave Shores with his sister, Stefanie. Their song Never Come Down became a signature tune in Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.
Tony Official Tracklist
- The Meaning of Providence – 1:20
- The Flagship – 0:31
- A Day in the Life of a Writer – 2:08
- Wave Action – 1:21
- Striper Run – 2:00
- Friday Special – 0:46
- Greasefire – 1:57
- Only Came Here to See You – 2:45
- Sal – 1:17
- Black Doesn’t Mean Burnt – 1:28
- Francois Vatel – 0:46
- Provincetown – 1:43
Total runtime: about 18 minutes
Tony Score Highlights
McCarrol organized the score around one main piano theme and reshaped pieces of it into lighter and darker cues. That approach gives the 12 tracks a steady emotional thread.
- Striper Run (2:00): McCarrol says this cue layers about twenty pianos and adds bells to show Tony’s life lighting up.
- Greasefire (1:57): The title matches the kitchen fire that damages the Flagship restaurant, so it likely underscores that sequence.
- Only Came Here to See You (2:45): The longest track on the album.
- The Flagship (0:31): The shortest cue, named after the seafood restaurant where Tony finds work.
- A Day in the Life of a Writer (2:08): The title nods to Tony’s ambition to become a writer.
- Sal (1:17): Named for the volatile line cook Tony befriends at the restaurant.
- Provincetown (1:43): The closing track, named for the seaside town where the story unfolds.
Tony Licensed Songs
Music supervisor Mandy Mamlet programmed the film’s period songs, which contrast with McCarrol’s restrained score. Here are the confirmed songs, listed in the order they appear.
- Magic Mountain – Eric Burdon & War. Plays as Tony pitches his fellowship novel to professors at Vassar.
- Girlfriend – The Modern Lovers. Heard during the drive home from Vassar as Tony’s father reviews his grades.
- The Calvary Cross – Richard & Linda Thompson. Accompanies Tony’s trip to Provincetown after he falsely claims to have won the fellowship.
- Everything Merges with the Night – Brian Eno. Plays as Tony heads to the pier to catch the ferry to Boston.
- Something on Your Mind – Karen Dalton. Heard when Tony returns to the Flagship to apologize to Chef and ask to stay.
- Strawberry Letter 23 – The Brothers Johnson. Plays in the kitchen at peak service when Chef puts Tony on dish duty.
- Mi Amante Niña Mi Compañera – Leonardo Favio.
- Dance to the Rhythm – The New Breed. On the way to Nancy’s party, Tony and Sal rehearse his made-up fellowship story.
- Down the Road I Go – Truth & Janey. Plays at Nancy’s party.
- Hollywood Swinging – Kool & The Gang. Underscores a busy kitchen rush as Tony works the dish station.
- Down on the Street – The Stooges. Featured in a montage of Tony and Sal.
- A Fifth of Beethoven – Walter Murphy. Plays during dinner service until the kitchen fire forces an evacuation.
- Flying – Faces. Heard at the beach clambake as Tony and his crew prepare food.
- Old Cape Cod – Patti Page. Plays during Tony’s admissions interview at the Culinary Institute of America.
- Brain – The Action. Closes the film over the end credits.
Jay McCarrol Filmography
| Year | Title | Director | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Dirties | Matt Johnson | Composer |
| 2016 | Operation Avalanche | Matt Johnson | Composer |
| 2020 | The Kid Detective | Evan Morgan | Composer |
| 2023 | BlackBerry | Matt Johnson | Composer |
| 2023 | Hell of a Summer | Billy Bryk, Finn Wolfhard | Composer |
| 2025 | Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie | Matt Johnson | Composer, co-writer, actor |
| 2026 | Tony | Matt Johnson | Composer |
Where to Listen Tony Soundtrack?
The Tony (Original Soundtrack) album is available to stream and download on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other major digital services through A24 Music. Fans can also pre-order the vinyl edition from the A24 Shop. The film itself opened in U.S. theaters through A24 on August 7, 2026, and expanded nationwide on August 21.
Tony Soundtrack FAQs
Who composed the Tony soundtrack?
Jay McCarrol composed the score. He has worked with director Matt Johnson on all five of Johnson’s feature films.
How many tracks are on the Tony soundtrack album?
The album has 12 tracks and runs about 18 minutes. Every track is a score cue by Jay McCarrol.
When was the Tony soundtrack released?
A24 Music released the album digitally on August 7, 2026. That was also the film’s limited opening day in New York and Los Angeles.
Where can I stream the Tony soundtrack?
You can stream it on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other major digital services. A vinyl edition is also up for pre-order through the A24 Shop.
What songs are in Tony?
The film features Everything Merges with the Night by Brian Eno, Down on the Street by The Stooges, Hollywood Swinging by Kool & The Gang, and Strawberry Letter 23 by The Brothers Johnson. It also includes songs by Eric Burdon & War, Karen Dalton, Faces, and Patti Page.
Are the licensed songs on the official soundtrack album?
No. The digital album contains only McCarrol’s 12 score cues. The vinyl edition adds Old Cape Cod by Patti Page.
What song plays at the end of Tony?
Brain by The Action plays over the end credits.
Related reading: See our full streaming guide