Square Enix Music Released on YouTube

I love listening to video game music and often it soundtracks my life, whether I’m working, running or just chilling. However, there's so many amazing soundtracks that are forgotten simply because many people don't have easy access to them. So when Square Enix announced that they were releasing their own YouTube channel with tonnes of music, live music performances and composer interviews I was ecstatic. I went on there and there are thousands of tracks available to listen to… looks like my music mix is sorted for the foreseeable.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMx60HYcw1ieiPlZZagfqXQ/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=5

Square Enix Music
Square Enix Music

There are thousands of tracks on the Square Enix Music channel on YouTube.

Anamanaguchi's Scott Pilgrim Soundtrack and Physical Game Re-Released

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game released in 2010, alongside the movie in cinemas, and was an amazing experience. As a beat-em-up, it didn’t bring anything new to the table, but it had an absolutely stunning chiptune soundtrack by Anamanaguchi and oozed style and charm through its gorgeous pixel art. I loved the game but when my Xbox 360 went into the loft and the game was delisted from digital storefronts in 2014, all seemed lost. But six years later, on my birthday of January 14 2021 and 10 years after it first came out, the game and soundtrack were re-released.

I pre-ordered the physical copy of the Switch game from iam8bit and the vinyl soundtrack from Vinyl Guru and can’t wait to get my mitts on them. In the meantime, to while away the wait, I’m loving listening to Anamanaguchi perform the soundtrack from their respective homes in full. It’s an awesome feat and well worth the listen. It brings back memories of when I saw them perform live in London’s Heaven in 2014… good times!

Ikaruga Soundtrack Released by Data Discs

Data Discs have a great ‘track record’ (yup, I’ll get me coat) of releasing amazing soundtracks. I have already written reviews on the Streets of Rage, Sonic Mania and the stunning Okami vinyls. Now, they are releasing the Ikaruga soundtrack. I’m a fan of the Treasure game and like the music just fine but for me it’s not a purchase I’ll be making as I’m not that big a fan. However I know for many of you it may be something you like so why not order it here.

Ikaruga OST Data Discs

Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors- Retro Soundtrack Release

"Go, Jayce, conqueror from afar, look for your father ..."

And with these words Jayce and the lightning league battled the Monster Minds and Saw Boss for 65 episodes. Produced by the hilariously named (at least I thought at the time) DIC studios and overseen by Jean Chalopin (of Mysterious Cities of Gold, Ulysses 31, Inspector Gadget and tonnes of other formative cartoons from the 80s) the show was grand and cheesy operatic drama and a big part of this was due to the epic music, created by Shuki Levy.

The soundtrack for the series has never been released… until now. Tele 80 has crowdfunded the OST for a September release on CD and Vinyl. In their words, translated by Google translate from the original French:

The collection would allow us to finance the different stages while having control of the design. For this, we pay special attention to:

  • Different covers, such as vinyl which will be highlighted thanks to its selective varnish which will bring out the characters and the title.

  • The model

  • Mastering and mixing, which will be managed by Erwin, an enthusiast, but also a remarkable sound engineer.

  • A 16-page booklet provided on the CD. It will contain, among other things, an exclusive interview with singer Nick Carr!

  • A box which would bring together the CD, the vinyl and a poster (the "Box Collector" option will only be active if we have 100 orders )

  • Mixing until pressing of vinyl and CD.

  • 24 tracks.

I’ve ordered the vinyl and CD combo pack for about 42 GBP (incl. postage and packaging) and look forward to receiving it. Until then, let’s belt out some hair rock!

Streets of Rage Soundtracks Available To Download On BandCamp.

The early to mid 90's were a great time for gaming but it was still seen as a childish past time by many. When the Playstation released it tapped into to the burgeoning dance market where House and Trance tracks were popular and consistently hitting the charts. It seemed like a perfect mix; edgy games and oh-so-zeitgeisty music. However before Sony's miracle machine we 16-bit gamers did have a saviour of coolness and that was the inimitable Yuzo Koshiro. The composer behind the first two Streets of Rage games was a pioneer when bringing the sounds of the clubs into games. The Streets of Rage soundtracks are amongst the most highly regarded of the 16-bit era and rightly so. Whilst The Orb, The Prodigy and Orbital were getting into the charts, Koshiro was applying the music styling of the genre into his soundtracks.

I have all three albums and they are great, especially the first two that hold a special place in my heart.

I have all three albums and they are great, especially the first two that hold a special place in my heart.

His three albums have been released on vinyl by DataDiscs and I have all 3 (I have linked my reviews of all three albums below) but recently the albums have been put up for purchase on BandCamp. At just 6 GBP a piece I’d say that it’s a bargain and with the imminent release of Streets of Rage 4, it’s a great time to revisit these astonishing albums.

Streets of Rage Soundtracks on BandCamp

The Women Who Pioneered Video Game Music

I found an amazing video whilst falling into the YouTube algorithm rabbit hole about the role of female video game composers within the industry. Now, I know some of the big names out there like Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts, Street Fighter II) and Michiru Yamane (lots of classic Castlevanias) but I didn’t know that the contribution to music within the industry was so poorly known or documented. This video helps right a lot of that and at just over 13 minutes, is well worth your time.

Yuzo Koshiro on Composing for Streets of Rage, Techno and Programming

Yuzo Koshiro, the composer behind the Streets of Rage games, was a pioneer when bringing the sounds of the clubs into games. The Streets of Rage soundtracks are amongst the most highly regarded of the 16-bit era and rightly so. Whilst The Orb, The Prodigy and Orbital were getting into the charts, Koshiro was applying the music styling of the genre into his soundtracks.

I have all three Streets of Rage soundtracks on vinyl and they are awesome!

I have all three Streets of Rage soundtracks on vinyl and they are awesome!

In an interview for Red Bull Music Academy, Koshiro discussed the early days of his career, how he and Motohiro Kawashima sought inspiration in nightclubs for Streets of Rage and why he never let limitations stop him from pushing forward. At nearly an hour and an half it’s an informative and interesting in-depth discussion about a very singular creator.

Thunder Force IV Soundtrack Incoming

I’m a huge fan of DataDiscs and their video game soundtrack releases. I have bought many of their vinyl OSTs including Okami, Golden Axe, Panzer Dragoon and all three Streets of Rages. Recently, they have announced that they will be publishing the soundtrack for Thunder Force IV. As a HUGE fan of the game back when it was out on the Megadrive (and recently released on the Nintendo Switch Store) I am beyond excited for this release and can’t wait. For those not in the know check out the soundtrack below and rock out!

Metal Slug Vinyl OST Pre-Order

Data-Discs has been releasing video game soundtracks of classic games for quite some time now. They have been primarily releasing a lot of Sega OST's including classics such as Streets of Rage, Outrun, Revenge of Shinobi and Super Hang On but their newest release is Metal Slug, a series that was developed by SNK and gained fame on the NEOGEO. I like the game series just fine but the soundtrack never really resonated with me but but I know that this series has an ardent fanbase so I sure there will be many interested in procuring a record.

Sega Soundtracks on Spotify

The world may seem grim and things may get you down sometimes but there are moments of pure joy and pleasure and these are one of those times. Sega have released the soundtracks to many of their classic games including Outrun, Jet Set Radio Future, Virtua Fighter and NiGHTS on Spotify. I am not a subscriber to the service but if you are then this is pretty awesome!

Everybody's Gone To the Rapture Soundtrack on Vinyl

Last year I played Everybody's Gone To the Rapture and whilst I loved the first person exploration game I found the brooding atmosphere, layered storyline and central mystery came second to the amazing soundtrack. The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, which is no surprise as it comes from Jessica Curry, composer of Dear Esther and Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs. There are many video game soundtracks I've enjoyed over the years, but my enjoyment of them has been influenced often by my playing of the game, and even though I loved this game the music stands apart and is exceptional; it stands alone as a piece of work. Some of the scores are so deeply emotional that it breaks your heart to listen to it. The pieces are full of a whole spectrum of emotions; joy, love and profound sadness... sometimes in the space of just a few moments.

The standout tracks for me are All The Earth, The Sleep of Death, The Mourning Tree, A Choice, An Early Harvest, Aurora, The Pattern Calls Out, The End of All Things and I Am Not Afraid. These tracks are often slight variations on what has been played before but are part of a wonderful cohesive whole. I am not the most spiritual person but this album spoke to me on a profound and deep level and that surely is a sign of a beautiful album.

If you like classical music and renaissance English music then this is the album for you. Actually, if you just like good classical music then this album is for you!

Ulysses 31 Soundtrack Medley

The 80's were an amazing time for cartoons and one of the finest is Ulysses 31. It tells a story similar to Homer's The Odyssey. The series is quite dark and the story is amazing but the real standout for me was the dramatic music by Denny Crockett and Ike Egan.

Check out this phenomenal medley of Ulysses 31 tracks... it rocks!

Smooth McGroove

Smooth McGroove is an amazing talented bloke, making acapella arrangements of computer game tracks. He has over 80 (at last count) and there are so many I love but here are a few of my favourites: