27/03/2024
VGM Essentials - SARE Vinyl Review By Lo Fi Lee "Music across all eras and systems, ranging from 1997’s Final Fantasy 7, all the way up to Genshin Impact" π @FiragaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl
15/03/2024
Grandia II Memorial Soundtrack Vinyl Review By Britt πΆπΏ @WayoRecords #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #VGM
Originally released for the Dreamcast in 2000 and eventually ported to the PS2 (and beyond), Game Arts’ Grandia II was a more mature affair than the 1997 prequel, and featured a lot of the returning original staff – including Noriyuki Iwadare, the composer of all three main Grandia games. The game told the story of Ryudo, a mercenary of wobbly morals who gets tasked with a seemingly simple escort mission that evolves into a grand(ia) adventure.
14/03/2024
Radical Dreamers (Digital) Album Review By Britt πΏπΆ @AmerigoGazaway #VGM #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl
Radical Dreamers is billed as an album that blends “melodic hip-hop beats, razor-sharp lyricism and the allure of old-school RPGs Chrono Cross and Chrono Trigger”. I mean, all of that sounds good, so let’s give it a go.
08/03/2024
Video Game Lo-Fi - Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest Vinyl Review By Britt πΏ @CuragaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl #VGM
First off, I feel a fool! A fool I tell you! Up until receiving this record for coverage, I’d been under the impression that the second in the Donkey Kong Country series of games was called ‘Diddy Kong’s Quest’…but it’s actually ‘Diddy’s Kong Quest’ – I don’t feel too bad upon discovering this, as my fiancΓ©e was also under the same misapprehension, I’d barely taken the cellophane off this Curaga Records release, and I was already learning.
04/03/2024
Kingdom Heartbeats Vinyl Review By Lo Fi Lee "Firaga Records Bring Us Another RoboRob-Helmed Remix Album" π @FiragaRecords #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #VGM
01/03/2024
Save Point and Patrick McBride interview - Jazz Hop Standards π @CuragaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl #LoFi
We recently had the pleasure of covering Curaga Records’ Jazz Hop Standards, a release from the label that took a different approach to previous records, using the stylistic approach of classic jazz standards to interpret covers of some well-loved video game tracks.
Britt caught up with Save Point and Patrick McBride, who were kind enough to answer some burning questions on how the album came to be, shine some light on their creative process – and tell us what the future holds.
29/02/2024
Video Game Lo-Fi: Jazz Hop Standards Vinyl Review π @CuragaRecords #VGM #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl
The latest entry that we’ve received here at GF HQ in the Video Game Lo-Fi series from Curaga Records, Jazz Hop Standards is a different beast to other entries in that it features more of a collaborative effort, heavier involvement of acoustic instrumentation, and in a more tangible sense – a full size, four-page booklet that gives background and context to the music, a welcome involvement that enriches the listening experience.
20/02/2024
Video Game LoFi: Pokemon Vinyl Review by Lo Fi Lee πΏ #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl #VGM @MateriaStore @CuragaRecords
The next instalment in Curaga Records’ Video Game LoFi series takes on the behemoth that is Pokemon. Producers Besso0 and Save Point bring us ten tracks running the gamut of older entries in the franchise, pressed on classic black vinyl. The cover is the series standard holographic card with a nice shiny finish.
12/02/2024
Metal Slug 4 Original Soundtrack Vinyl Review "I was first introduced to Metal Slug in the back of a dingy record store" πΏ #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl #VGM
Since the first release in 1996, the Metal Slug series was a long-time staple in arcades over the world. I was first introduced to Metal Slug in the back of a dingy record store (Rainbow Records) in my hometown of Pontypridd, it was one of three cabinets at the back of the shop (the other two were Aliens and Power Drift, if memory serves), and I was instantly hooked on the high-octane action that the game delivered with it’s intense militaristic soundtrack, colourful visuals and zany animations (I’ve always loved the Metal Slug reload animation) – even the in-game slowdown added an oddly cinematic quality to the experience, and made it feel like you were causing so much on-screen carnage and havoc that the game was struggling to keep up with you, good! It’s a series to which I often return, usually when visiting arcades scattered around the UK, as a blast on a Metal Slug title – especially with friends - always brings back great memories.
08/02/2024
Ridge Racer Infinity Vinyl Review By Lo Fi Lee πΏπΆ #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #VGM
Long-time readers might remember I reviewed and loved the digital version of the Ridge Racer Infinity album a while back (https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2022/10/ridge-racer-infinity-video-game-music.html).
The track list pretty much follows the digital release, with two tracks swapped over, probably for reasons of runtime, while the last but one track is a slight rework of the original Night Stream, now called Ultra Stream.
25/01/2024
Video Game Lo-Fi: Super Mario 64 Vinyl Review π½ @CuragaRecords @MateriaMusic #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #LoFi #VGM
There’s something about these lo-fi records that makes them feel oddly perfect all year round. The last time I covered one back in November, it was a very wintry entry in the Curaga lo-fi series, matching perfectly with the change in weather.
As I listened through this Super Mario 64 record in quite bracing weather, it felt calming and warming, but I can just as easily imagine it seeming as mellow and engaging on warm summer days, adding a layer of groovy coolness to the proceedings.
22/12/2023
Horizon Forbidden West Vinyl OST Review By Britt "An album that has a world-building vibe to it" πΏ #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #VGM
15/12/2023
God of War: RagnarΓΆk – Vinyl OST Composed by Bear McCreary " pairs well with a horn of mead" π» @bearmccreary #Vinyl #VGM #VideoGameVinyl
The much-loved God of War franchise has been rolling on, powered by a war-like bloodlust since 2005 on the PS2, and has been known for its award-winning, rousing scores, which – since 2018 -have been handled by American composer Bear McCreary – who also plays the role of Raeb in-game. This triple-vinyl release features 28 tracks, including a final song that features Irish songwriter HOZIER. Faroese songwriter EivΓΈr also features on a handful of songs throughout the record, mainly appearing on the first disc.
20/11/2023
Video Game Lo-Fi: A Winter’s Tale (Vinyl & Cassette) Review ππΏ @CuragaRecords @BrittRecluseuk #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl #VGM
Here in Wales, as the weather takes a colder turn, A Winter’s Tale arrived at the perfect time! 14 tracks of low-end, heavy, lo-fi warmth, this is an album that takes a trip-hop look at some of those seminal, snow-laden gaming moments through the years, taking us from Donkey Kong Country, past Mario Kart 64, through Stardew Valley, and the coast of Fable – alongside many others.
The front cover continues the classic lo-fi series approach of an isometric, stylised look at a certain location. Here, we are treated to a be-snowed take on Princess Peach’s castle from Mario 64, the familiar turrets poking out from underneath a blanket of deep, white snow; as light bleeds out from the entrance way, highlighting some scattered instruments outside in the snow; a piano, drums, acoustic guitar, and trumpet.
13/10/2023
Cassette Beasts Soundtrack Vinyl Review "a collection of warm, expertly crafted tunes that will get wedged in your head." πΏπΆπ΅ @Joel_Baylis @blackscreenrec #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #VGM
When I played it a few months ago, I was captivated by Cassette Beasts, a cutesy (…or is it?) RPG that took the PokΓ©mon formula and added some neat twists in the gameplay and story that kept me engaged in its world for quite some time.
A huge part of the attraction for me was the music, which was clearly front and centre, high in the mix, and every track seemed to be an earworm designed to reel me in, hook, line, and sinker.
It was clearly a soundtrack that would stand alone outside of the video game, and so getting the chance to write about it here is an absolute pleasure. Before I dive into the product and music, I implore you to check out Cassette Beasts if you enjoy turn-based RPGs, as it’s a nifty little game!
10/10/2023
Video Game Lo-Fi Kingdom Hearts Vinyl Review - Review Lo Fi Lee πΏ @CarugaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl
It was bound to happen eventually – one of the titanic JRPG series has its own lo-fi remix album. The original Kingdom Hearts came out way, way back in 2002, and the series now comprises as many as 13 games (depending on who you listen to, and whether you include collections, mobile games etc). Unlike other releases in the Video Game LoFi series, we have one producer across the whole album with featured artists, instead of the ensemble efforts we’re used to seeing. In the words of lost:tree themselves:
“This series and the music always had a special place in my heart ever since I was a kid and it still means a lot to me now, so picking only 10 tracks to remix was really difficult for me. This album is like a love letter to the game and I hope I was able to do the music justice with these remixes.”
09/10/2023
Video Game LoFi: Kingdom Hearts vol. 2 - The Ocean Between Vinyl Review by Lo Fi Lee πΏ @CuragaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl
Hot on the heels of the original album, here we have the second volume in the Video Game LoFi series, from Curaga Records, featuring reworked songs from the Kingdom Hearts series.
This one comes from the mind of the producer foreteller with a little help from others. The major difference between volumes 1 and 2 is that this one is generally instrumental, with only the opening and closing tracks featuring guest vocalists.
The presentation is in line with much of the Video Game LoFi collection, comprising a holographic jacket, paper sleeve and a pretty blue, purple and pink marbled record on 180g vinyl.
Side A kicks off with Simple and Clean, featuring vocalist REVEN, whose lyrics are kept low in the mix, allowing a summery breakbeat and dreamy synth to come to the fore. Track 2, Destiny Islands, all the way from the first game, features erstwhile series producer Save Point, with laid-back acoustic guitar giving the whole thing a Super Mario Sunshine feel. Across the rest of the side, Sacred Moon uses echoey sampling and gentle breaks to give an introspective mood, while NachtflΓΌgel comes with a quiet island vibe before Treasured Memories closes us out with muted vocal samples over early-90s beats and washes.
Xion’s Theme opens side B, sampled bass guitar looping hypnotically around synth waves before fading into Ventus’ Theme, which features marimba-ish percussion supporting uptempo keys. Cavern of Remembrance is up next, with oddly truncated kick drum samples making it one of the more curious tracks in the series. Dark Impetus features more islandy guitar work before we finish with Don’t Think Twice, another track that featured on the first album. Vocalist Nila turns up on this one, albeit vocodered to within an inch of her life. It’s a wide-open number with gentle DnB hi-hats, and probably hits the mark as the standout track.
SUMMARY
This album marks a return to series themes for Video Game LoFi; whereas volume 1 changed it up with lots of vocals, this one goes back to using them sparingly, along with the odd sample from the games.
This doesn’t mean one is better than the other – both albums are worth your time, but fans of the series will probably prefer this one.
As always, the album is available on Bandcamp, but can also be found in the usual streaming haunts if you fancy a bit of try before you buy.
04/10/2023
Gamedec Soundtrack Vinyl Review "Gamedec will fit snugly on your shelf as you dive into cyberspace" πΏ #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl
Anshar Studios’ Gamedec was a game that I followed pretty much throughout its development cycle, until its eventual release. An impressive, combat-free cyberpunk adventure that really tried to take a lot on and perhaps overreached its grasp, it is a game that stayed with me long after playing due to its eschewing of fighting/shooting mechanics and absolute focus on narrative and player freedom. As such, it was a pleasure to get the opportunity to cover the vinyl release of the soundtrack, which fully captures a musing mood of mystery and suspense for those dark and stormy evenings.
30/09/2023
Video Game LoFi: Kingdom Hearts vol. 2 - The Ocean Between Vinyl Review by Lo Fi Lee πΏ @CuragaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl
Hot on the heels of the original album, here we have the second volume in the Video Game LoFi series, from Curaga Records, featuring reworked songs from the Kingdom Hearts series.
This one comes from the mind of the producer foreteller with a little help from others. The major difference between volumes 1 and 2 is that this one is generally instrumental, with only the opening and closing tracks featuring guest vocalists.
The presentation is in line with much of the Video Game LoFi collection, comprising a holographic jacket, paper sleeve and a pretty blue, purple and pink marbled record on 180g vinyl.
29/09/2023
Samorost 3 Vinyl Soundtrack Review "Samorost 3 is pure Floex through and through" πΏ @FloexOfficial @Amanita_Design #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl #VGM
I was a big fan of Tomas Dvorak’s soundtrack for Samorost 2, it also holds the wonderful distinction in our household of being the first music that my – then 1-year-old – son had ever danced to, which was a very special moment for us as a family.
Dvorak (A.K.A – FLOEX) has a special way of creating unique, alien landscapes, aurally, through his blend of strong, emotive melodies and idiosyncratic instrumentation, and this continues here in his compositions for Samorost 3, with that signature clarinet vibe hitting home each time it’s used on the album.
There is a real difference in the art styles used in the cover here when compared to Samorost 2, whereas the prequel was abstract and paint-flecked, here we are treated to a luscious evergreen landscape, set underneath a darkened sky spotted by pinpricks of light.
Almost alone, and very small and vulnerable in this image is the protagonist, blowing through a horn as he is watched by a strange, bearded wanderer that is almost hidden in the foreground – ensconced in the shadows, and surrounded by a peppering of fantastical animals.