No Man’s Sky: Music For An Infinite Universe
Music by 65daysofstatic (Jones, Shrewsbury, Wolinski, Wright)
Performed by 65daysofstatic and Debbie Clare
Available on Qobuz, Apple Music, Spotify
It is tempting to associate the grandness of space with orchestral noise. Not that I dislike this, but it gets old and some outright suffer for it. So, while the gaming world was (rightfully) ragging on Hello Games’ ‘No Man’s Sky’, I was infatuated with my introduction to 65daysofstatic and their DnB-infused post-rock melodies that make exploring the far reaches of space exciting—ambiance that reminds you of where you are at all times. It’s been nearly ten years since No Man’s Sky launched and a big part of why I still remember it is its echoing sounds of Music for an Infinite Universe.
Dwarf Fortress (Official Steam Soundtrack)
Music by Dabu (Omar Dabbous), Simon Swerwer, and Águeda Macias
Available on Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music
Dwarf Fortress made its official jump to a proper GUI a few years ago and with it, an official soundtrack was produced. What you wouldn’t expect from a text-based dwarf simulation game is melancholic folk and acoustic melodies that keep you and the dwarves Striking the Earth.
Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts Original Soundtrack
Music by Robin Beanland, Grant Kirkhope, and Dave Clynick
Additional performances by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
Nuts & Bolts might not be a fan-favourite, but that’s not going to stop this wholehearted recommendation of its score. Rare veterans Robin and Grant know the bear and bird like the back of their hand, as Dave Clynick adds to the goofy world and compositions. You’ll find exaggerated familiar melodies of a Hammond organ to electronic trances of an Xbox console soon to be long forgotten. But behind it all, you’ll never be able to forget the pair’s signature tuba steps.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Original Soundtrack
Composed by Jake Kaufman
All vocals by Cristina Vee
Available via Bandcamp
It’s no Wayforward game without your speakers potentially having their tweeters blown—but not for distorted messes or anything negative. See, gaming music veteran Jake Kaufman’s got a talent for crisp chiptunes complimented by various instruments and themes. And though it was tempting to list Wayforward’s magnum opus here, Shantae’s got a special place in my heart as does Kaufman’s fast-paced, volumetric beats across the dunes, oceans, and air levels of the half-genie’s silly little world.
Thanks for stopping by—see you next month!
