SUPER MARIO RPG ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
All music by Yoko Shimomura
Arrangements by Tomomichi Takeoka, Yoko Shimomura, and Natsumi Kameoka
Original Score Written by Koji Kondo (Nintendo) and Nobuo Uematsu (SQUARE)
Available for purchase via SQUARE ENIX STORE (US/EU/e-STORE), CDJapan, TOWER RECORDS ONLINE, and yodobashi
Square does what Nintendon’t—and by that, I mean actually publishing their scores so fans don’t have to spend an eternity ripping the tracks (or are forced to listen via a clumsy little “Nintendo” app). This time, Yoko Shimomura returns to produce Super Mario RPG’s remaster and surprisingly, rearranges all the game’s music alongside the likes of Tomomichi Takeoka and Natsumi Kameoka. This title marks Shimomura’s start to composing Mario’s RPG titles and her influence in Mario’s music has been a hallmark ever since. Who knew you could make this plumber’s mundane environments so cosy? So adventurous? So… Final Fantasy?! Complete with a proper orchestra this time, bringing classic tunes into a new light.
ZEMURIA GRAND ODYSSEY 19999-XXXXX
All music produced and arranged by Falcom Sound Team jdk
Available through FALCOM SHOP and CDJapan
FALCOM love its J-rock and with their latest rearrange of multiple key songs across their RPG catalogue in ‘ZEMURIA GRAND ODYSSEY’, you’ll get a serving of that along with a trip down memory lane. There’s something quite pleasing about the combination of traditional instrumentals and rock that Falcom’s Sound Team jdk has been able to nail to for the last 25 plus years. Even if you’re not familiar with the ‘Trails of’ games, you’ll find yourself right at home with wickedly sick piano and synth, violins, and the occasional bits of campy rock sessions.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree — Soundtrack
All music by Christos Antoniou
Performed by the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague
Available via Steam
Greek composer Christos Antoniou bills himself as a pioneer in the Greek Metal scene and that, he has proven himself in as part of his work with the Greek death metal band Septicflesh. But Christos is very familiar with contemporary classic, complete with faux chanting that best accompanies the dark fantasy work of Mandragora. Wispers of the Witch Tree’s score avoids the pitfalls seen in plenty of soulslikes (the originating series of this genre tag is a repeat offender) as Christos paints environments with symphonies he’s dabbled with in his works with Septicflesh, ensuring a variety of instruments see a spotlight over the 20 tracks of game music, performed by the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague.
Dolls Nest Original SoundTrack -The Origin of Species-
Composed and arranged by ZIZZ STUDIO (Yoh Ohyama, Toshimichi Isoe, Lurtz69 and Kyle Booth)
Available exclusively through Steam
Music group ZIZZ STUDIO brings the postapocalyptic world of ‘Dolls Nest’ to life through haunting chants, mesmorising xylophone keys, determined piano strokes, and chaotic symphonies. It’s difficult not to draw parallels to the likes of Keiichi Okabe’s (MONACO) groundwork made for the NieR series permeate so many inspired titles like Dolls Nest, but ZIZZ STUDIO does a phenomenal job of putting their science adventure roots into this score—particularly when the crazed synths and electric guitar kick in.
Blue Prince – The Original Soundtrack
Music by Trigg & Gusset
Written by Bart Knol, Erik van Geer and Jurren Mekking
All tracks arranged, produced, mixed, and mastered by Bart Knol
Available on Bandcamp, Qobuz, and Apple Music
The bass clarinet is an underrated instrument—something I wholly regret not picking up myself beyond my formative years. And Trigg & Gusset remind me that it’s such a powerful tool for the inquiring mind as their use of the oversized clarinet boldens the volumetric synth that backgrounds players into the world of Blue Prince and its clever setup of roguelike and puzzle madness. Pure ambiance and I couldn’t have it any other way.
Check out our review of the game here—it’s got some serious high marks from us!
