American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey is the latest vocalist to collaborate with the iconic James Bond franchise. The dramatic new track isn’t for a new spy flick; the atmospheric and aptly-named single, “First Light,” will accompany the upcoming 007 First Light video game from HITMAN: World of Assassination studio IO Interactive. Storied James Bond composer David Arnold collaborated with Del Rey to write the record. 007 First Light, set for release on May 27, 2026, will be the first 007-inspired game since 2012’s 007 Legends.
007 First Light’s title track is Arnold’s fifth Bond score; Arnold previously scored five Bond films — Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006), and Quantum of Solace (2008) — and contributed to Bond games GoldenEye 007 (2010) and 007 Legends (2012).
This isn’t Del Rey’s first run-in with the James Bond franchise. The melancholic musician wrote a track for spy blockbuster Spectre (2015) only for producers to ultimately pass.
To the satisfaction of die-hard 007 fans, James Bond video games have generally adhered to the franchise’s musical traditions. As such, Del Rey won’t be the first pop performer to lend vocals to a Bond game. American R&B performer Mya recorded “Everything or Nothing” for 2004’s Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, while English singer Joss Stone’s “Everything or Nothing” accompanied Activision’s James Bond 007: Blood Stone in 2010.
IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak spoke on the collab in a new statement. “It’s a joy to watch two extraordinary talents like Lana Del Rey and David Arnold combine forces, the result feels instantly ‘Bond’ while still bringing a fresh identity for 007 First Light. Bond’s return to gaming is a landmark moment for us at IO Interactive, and having a title song of this quality makes it even more special.”
“The music of James Bond has always been a huge part of its identity,” explains longtime franchise composer Arnold. “A title song has to tell us about the world we are about to enter into. It has to intrigue, excite, and beckon us in. This song joins a long line of genre defining songs, each one creating a benchmark of style that adds to the magnificent heritage that is ‘The Bond Song’. That’s why I was so excited to work with Lana, an artist who brought elegance, atmosphere, and her totally unique character to this piece, which I hope will open the world of Bond to a whole new audience.”
007 First Light follows a 20-something Bond in an immersive, innovative origin story from IO Interactive, the stealthy masterminds behind HITMAN and Agent 47’s high-stakes missions, slick executions, silent snipes, assimilation skills, and extensive (like, the most extensive) tactical training. Despite a frustrating March 2026 delay, my hopes remain high that IOI can stick the landing.
Check out the new Lana Del Rey single for 007 First Light, “First Light,” and watch the world premiere of the new Bond game’s title sequence tomorrow, April 17, via IOI’s Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. Pick up 007 First Light when it launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam on May 27, 2026. Unfortunately, Nintendo Switch 2 players won’t see 007 First Light on their handheld systems until Summer 2026.
