As we are now nearing the second half of 2016, now seems like a good time to look fondly back on 2015. Video games are sometimes disregarded as an art form, in favour of being entertainment, with musical talent often being the most criminally unjust, and prejudiced-against victim. So here are the must buy video game soundtracks of 2015; excellent displays of art in their own right, that rival even the most celebrated classical works of recent memory.
Bloodborne
Ryan Amon, Tsukasa Saitoh, Michael Wandmacher, Yuka Kitamura, Cris Velasco & Nobuyoshi Suzuki
The most atmospheric soundtrack on this list, Bloodborne has beautiful orchestration that creates an air of tension, both inside and outside of the game. Lower quarter wind instruments are used to great effect, creating long, bellowing sounds, coupled with inspired, and prize, choral work. There is a masterful use of tempo and dynamics throughout, creating incredible and terrifying tension within the music itself. Yet the most astonishing element of Bloodborne’s soundtrack is the range it manages to accomplish, using both texture, and the arrangement of the orchestra and choir, to distinguish between soft melody’s such as Hunter’s Dream and Moonlit Melody, and the bombastic music that accompanies boss fights. Additionally, Micolash, Nightmare Host is a fascinating display of what the piano can do, and Hail The Nightmare is a masterclass in vocals. Bloodborne is a soundtrack that knows how to use every instrument in the orchestra, and voice of the choir, to best effect, and for this reason it’s my favourite soundtrack on this list.
Stand out tracks include:-
Cleric Beast,
Hail The Nightmare
Moonlit Melody
Terror
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Destiny: The Taken King
Michael Salvatori, C. Paul Johnson & Skye Lewin
With previous composer, Martin O’Donnell, stepping away from Bungie, 2015 saw a new musical style for Destiny. This new, more organic style, not only suited Destiny to a much greater degree, but also made for a soundtrack that could be enjoyed as much outside of the game, as while playing. Strings take front and centre, although brass is used to good effect in pieces such as Cabal Breach. Where vocalists are used, their work is striking, and are particularly stunning in Remembrance. There’s also a decent range in the soundtrack, from fast paced epics such as Last Stand, to quiet and peaceful tracks like Traveler’s Promise (Reprise). I do however have a few criticisms. Personally I’m not a fan of the occasional use of electronic effects, layered on top of the orchestral performances. Additionally, while the soundtrack is far more diverse than the one provided by O’Donnell, at times – much like the game itself – it can be repetitive.
Stand out tracks include:-
Fallen S.A.B.E.R.
Last Stand
Into the Pit
Remembrance
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Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture
Jessica Curry
Everbody’s Gone To The Rapture is simply a sensational study of Western Church Hymnody, a style that has not only been completely neglected by video game composers, but by the neo-classical community at large. As such, Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture deserves a place on this list for its bold style alone, but earns it place through the graceful choir, and accompanying orchestration. The elegant, and entrancing, lyrics are the true allure of Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture, stirring emotions of heartbreak, tragedy and desperate hope. And while Everyone’s Gone To The Rapture is at its best with the choir in full song, the angelic orchestration is gorgeous in and of itself. If I had one complaint, it would be the lacking presence of an organ. Considering the Western Christian music that Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture so clearly draws from, it’s a shame to not have the primary instrument of the genre present, especially given that one of the organs greatest strengths lies in supporting choral voices. Additionally several of the tracks feature repetitive lyrics, although adjustments in tone, texture, and tempo, attempt to keep the music fresh.
Stand out track include:-
Carry Me Back to Her Arms
Clouds and Starlight
The Light We Cast
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Ori And The Blind Forest
Gareth Coker
Ori and the Blind Forest is a beautiful, and light, soundtrack, that demonstrates small arrangements of instruments can often prove more effective than an orchestra en masse. Centred on combing either woodwind or strings, with enchanting percussion, Gareth Coker achieves a lightness of style and tone throughout. Percussion is used particularly effectively, with the tuned and hand percussion instruments being particularly beautiful. Instrument arrangement is particularly inspired, with more complex voices layered under the surface of the beautifully simplistic melody. One of my favourite aspects of the soundtrack is Aeralie Brighton’s pretty lullaby-esque vocal work, adding charm whenever used. Ori and the Blind Forest also has a great sense of theme, that binds the whole soundtrack together. While not the most texturally complex, or grandiose soundtrack on this list, Ori and the Blind Forest offers a delightful, and spellbinding euphony.
Stand out tracks include:-
Ori, Lost in the Storm
The Ancestral Tree
Restoring the Light, Facing the Dark
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Rise of the Tomb Raider
Bobby Tahouri
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a well-orchestrated soundtrack, relying primarily on strings, and light, woodwind to create a peaceful, occasionally melancholy atmosphere. For the most part Rise of the Tomb Raider has a light texture that is a both a blessing and a curse. The light texture helps to create an ambient feel to the music, but also lacks vigour, resulting in a soundtrack that while enjoyable to listen to, is also somewhat forgettable. Despite being sparse, moments where brass and percussion instruments take the lead, are the true standout moments of the score. It’s nice to see Bobby Tahouri paying tribute to Jason Greaves previous work on Tomb Raider, by including the Tomb Raider theme tune into parts of his score, helping to create a sense of continuity and continuation between the two soundtracks. And even while paying homage to Greaves, Tahouri manages to create a soundtrack that has its own identity and character, despite them being incredibly subtle. Finally Rise of the Tomb Raider isn’t a soundtrack you have to pay for, since Crystal Dynamics made it available for free download via SoundCloud – so what are you waiting for?
Stand out tracks include:-
Do What You Must
Blood In The Snow
Rise of the Tomb Raider
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Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Marcin Przybyłowicz, Mikolai Stroinski & Percival
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a soundtrack with a very unique sound, not only amongst the other entries on this list, but in video games period. Drawing on a combination of Slavic, Balkan, and Irish Folk inspirations, and using combinations of percussion, plucked strings, and vocal chanting, Witcher 3 has a uniquely primal-medieval sound. It’s this distinct style that makes the Witcher’s soundtrack so intriguing to listen to. The solo string segments are especially gorgeous, and are my favourite part of the score. That being said, while the vocal layer adds much of the distinctive atmosphere, it can make certain tracks hard to listen to. However, when everything harmonises perfectly, you’re left with a stellar and memorable score that I’ll be listening to for years to come.
Stand out tracks include:-
Geralt of Rivia
Kaer Morhen
Sword of Destiny
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Quiet’s Theme
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Stefanie Joosten
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain’s soundtrack is a dichotomy of peaks and valleys; for every delightful track to listen to, there were at least three that had me wanting to rip my ear(phones) off. The over reliance on horrible electronic sounds here is atrocious, and ruins what would otherwise be a rather enjoyable experience. That being said, there is one track that I absolutely had to bring attention to; Quiet’s Song. The beautifully elegant vocal work from Stefanie Joosten, emotive yet tragic lyrics, and gorgeous orchestration create a resplendent experience. So while the soundtrack itself is not worth the price of admission, Quiet’s Theme is a must buy!
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