Now that Christmas is here, you’re probably expecting an article on Christmas music. Well, luckily, there are two of those elsewhere in the ECHO that you can check out too, but I’m still going to find a way to talk about other music somehow. So here are some of the greatest ever video game and movie soundtracks (in my opinion).
[Note - these will probably contain some sort of spoiler for the media that they’re from.]
Video Games
Hollow Knight - Soundtrack by Christopher Larkin
This is probably one of my favorites of all of these soundtracks, probably because of how immersive and amazing it is. If you’ve ever played Hollow Knight, you know it’s one of the greatest indie games gameplay and story-wise ever, and its soundtrack is just the cherry on top. From the haunting vocals from the City of Tears song to the quick, fun violin of the Hornet bossfight, Christopher Larkin delivers on all ends, piecing together a complete and fantastic soundtrack. All of the songs are memorable in their own right, and while playing the game you learn to love them. The bossfight songs are epic, the background music is great, and to make it all better, Larkin has even released a piano collection of the songs. It’s certainly a memorable, beautiful soundtrack that adds to such an amazing game. 10/10
Celeste - Soundtrack by Lena Raine
Another amazing game with an incredible soundtrack is Celeste with a fantastic electronic, fun, beat-filled soundtrack. The game itself is an indie classic, a 2D platformer with some brilliantly cool mechanics and a beautiful storyline about facing your demons on a metaphorical mountain climb, the literal focus of the game. The soundtrack is very cohesive and works great as an album listen, but it’s diverse enough that it adds extra depth to every area in the game with different music. All the better that many of the songs are longer than just a quick minute loop, with “Reach for the Summit” just breaking the 11-minute mark. The soundtrack is amazing, and the B-sides and C-sides that you can collect and play levels with go above and beyond. Truly another classic soundtrack in modern gaming. 9.5/10
Outer Wilds - Soundtrack by Andrew Prahlow
Now let me make it clear that I haven’t even finished playing this game. However, I have listened to the soundtrack multiple times front to back, and it’s really nothing short of a masterpiece. While I’ll always recommend playing the game as well, this album is one of those that you could listen to standalone. The game is mind-blowing, frankly, with so many details and branches of a storyline that are so fun to piece together. From the haunting melodies to the relaxed string tunes, the soundtrack compliments its game perfectly. It keeps the space-y and cosmic feel to the game, all while bringing you back to the planet that you’re flying over or exploring. Each song is unique, and they all have some feel to them that really just immerses you so well into the game and provides you the full Outer Wilds experience, one that is well worth it. 9.5/10
Minecraft - Soundtrack by C418
For anyone who’s played Minecraft, this soundtrack is highly nostalgic and conjures childhood memories: the first world you started, your favorite build, etc. The soundtrack has been expanded with further updates, but this review concerns just Volume Alpha and Volume Beta. Alongside the nostalgia that comes with it, these two albums are clearly composed with care making for a beautiful and surreal listening experience, even if you’ve never played the game. It’s almost haunting to an extent but in a beautiful way that makes you reconsider the bounds of ambient music. The repetition in a few tracks strays from annoyance and bounds toward memory and peace, making each song more memorable and enjoyable. The music discs featured on Volume Beta, and in the game as small vinyl records to be played, also contain some great music, some fun tunes to dance to in game, with the occasional haunting melody. This soundtrack, whether it gives you nostalgia or just provides a listening experience unlike any other, is truly remarkable. 10/10
Movies
Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith - Soundtrack by John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra
Containing one of the great orchestral soundtracks, Star Wars’ third installment chronologically is widely considered one of the best, if not the best, Star Wars movie. John Williams and the accompanying London Symphony Orchestra combine to make an epic score for one of the greatest ever space movies. From the somber harmonies cataloging sorrowful events to the fast-paced, grand style of music accompanying fight scenes, this soundtrack does everything incredibly well—the horns, strings, and vocals combining for nothing short of an amazing soundtrack that perfectly fits its movie. The movie’s powerful themes and scenes are made stronger by the soundtrack’s impactful and moving melodies and sounds, and all of this comes together into what I would call a complete soundtrack. 10/10
Inception - Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer
One of the best movies of the 2010s, Inception, among many other Christopher Nolan movies, is in part characterized by its great soundtrack with haunting and thought-provoking melodies accompanying a deeply interesting and thought-provoking movie. The soundtrack utilizes deep, slow string melodies and spaced-out piano notes to perfectly encapsulate the movie’s themes and tone. Unfortunately, I do think this is one soundtrack that is strongly outshined by its movie, but that’s not saying much as the movie itself is an incredible watch. 8/10
Interstellar - Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer
Another of Christopher Nolan’s great movies (trust me, there’s a lot), Interstellar is an incredible space movie characterized by its iconic soundtrack, especially the “Cornfield Chase” track, during a very important part in the movie, known for its quick, repetitive, yet beautiful composition. The soundtrack is reminiscent of Zimmer’s previous work, especially that of his previous work on Nolan’s movies, with some beautiful, almost orchestral sequences. The theme for the movie is recognizable to most, even if one hasn’t seen the movie, as it is one of many soundtracks that was able to gain traction on social media thus revitalizing its staying power. It’s a wonderfully spacey soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates the feel of the vast darkness of space as well as the movie’s themes. It’s certainly one of the great movie soundtracks and some of Zimmer’s best work (and that’s saying something). 9.5/10
As always, I’m always looking for more albums (and soundtracks) to check out, so email me at sjgst03@basd.k12.pa.us with any suggestions.