Summary
- Borderlands 4 intro song should reflect the game's themes, setting, and narrative.
- Fontaines D.C.'s "Starburster" aligns with Borderlands 4's darker and serious tone.
- Queens of the Stone Age's "No One Knows" is another excellent choice for the game's intro.
Throughout its lifespan of over 15 years, the Borderlands series has included exciting introductory sequences in each installment as a way of introducing the world and characters that players will be getting to know when they begin playing the game. Not only are these intros often action-packed, humorous, and gruesome, they are always backed up by a song specifically chosen to reflect the mood and setting for each game. The intro for the first Borderlands, for instance, featured "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" by Cage the Elephant as its background music, while Borderlands 2 utilized "Short Change Hero" by The Heavy. Borderlands 4 is now primed to keep this tradition going with its intro, but it will need to choose its music track carefully.
When it comes to choosing the perfect song for Borderlands 4, the game's themes, setting, and narrative need to be considered first. Since Borderlands 4's intro will set the tone for its Vault Hunters and the rest of its story, the background track needs to be appropriate. For that, there are a couple of great choices.
Borderlands 4's Open-World Clarification Is Good News, But There's Still One Concern
While it has been confirmed that Borderlands 4 will not be fully open world, its presumably sizable world still raises concerns about its quests.
Which Song Would Be Perfect for Borderlands 4's Intro?
Borderlands 4 Could Feature 'Starburster' as Its Intro Song
When it comes to which songs Borderlands 4's intro should feature, there may not be a better choice than "Starburster" by Fontaines D.C. In a sense, it feels like a given, as "Starburster" is the song featured in the last minute and a half of Borderlands 4's official first look trailer that premiered at the 2024 Game Awards. However, even if this particular track was never chosen for a Borderlands 4 trailer, it would make for a perfect musical backdrop to the game's intro for several reasons — many of which are likely why it was chosen for the trailer in the first place.
Borderlands 4 aims to maintain the core aspects that have maintained the series' popularity up to this point, but it will simultaneously be introducing a much darker, more serious tone than recent entries like Borderlands 3 and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands have had. As such, Borderlands 4's intro will need a song that fits that approach, which is largely what makes Fontaines D.C.'s "Starbuster" the ideal choice. Firstly, "Starburster" has a raw, post-punk energy that complements said tone, along with a grittiness and intensity that matches the looming threat of Borderlands 4's totalitarian villain, the Timekeeper.
When it comes to which songs Borderlands 4's intro should feature, there may not be a better choice than "Starburster" by Fontaines D.C.
The overall tone of "Starburster" is a bit of a roller coaster, going from disjointed to energetic, appearing to be chaotic, and yet simultaneously deliberate. That energy alone aligns with the Borderlands series' love for irreverent intensity, but it especially fits what has been shown of Borderlands 4 so far, as it leans more into cataclysmic themes that are fully expected to be somewhat undercut by the franchise's knack for humor. The song's lyrics are a mixture of contradictions, speaking of someone who longs for salvation in a corrupt world. Given the state of Borderlands 4's Kairos because of the Timekeeper's oppressive control, even the lyrics of "Starburster" make it an excellent candidate for the game's intro song.
Borderlands 4's Intro Could Be Backed by 'No One Knows'
Apart from "Starburster," "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age would serve Borderlands 4's intro exceptionally well, on account of its hypnotic rhythm, which persists throughout the song, and the darker, almost foreboding atmosphere crafted by its cryptic lyrics and moody chord progressions. As Borderlands 4 shifts toward a more mature narrative, the movement and progression of "No One Knows," alongside its darker tone, would be a great way for Borderlands 4 to bridge the gap between the series' past and what will be its new present.
The lyrics of "No One Knows" also hint at the allure of power and the cost of pursuing it, which have always been key themes in the Borderlands series.
While it would make sense for Borderlands 4 to use Fontaines D.C.'s "Starburster" as the background track for its intro, considering it was used in the first full-length trailer for the game, "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age would be an excellent choice as well. There are countless other options out there, but no matter which track Borderlands 4 ends up choosing, it's more than likely going to complement the game's willingness to embrace darker, more serious themes. If nothing else, fans can expect Borderlands 4 to deliver on its intro, just as the series has been known to do many times before.
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.
Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.
Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing Mayhem across the planet.
- Franchise
- Borderlands
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
