Hello all! My last entry in this ongoing series was back in October 2021, and I thought it was a good time to cover the records that have been getting heavy rotation over the last few months here at GF towers.
The last few weeks have seen some more gold turning up for future articles, but these are the records that have been keeping me warm and dancing through the cold, winter months.
Along with tequila.
This list also features two albums that are kind of video game-related, but I just wanted to mention my positive experiences with them and their creators - also, just to clarify - this list is in no particular order.
Narita Boy
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I struggle with vocals on soundtracks, as I often either find them too ‘on the nose’, bland or silly. Recently though, I have come across some examples that really shine. When the presentation of the singing is completely in sync with the rest of the album, it can be a wondrous thing – and Narita Boy nails it for me.
Through funky space beats and a conversationally-delivered lyrical narrative in the two vocal tracks, the plot is laid out for the listener in the coolest way possible, with the musical backdrop of shiny, poppy gold. This is such a feel-good album, and one I return to when I want a lift, as the synthwave tracks can’t help but get me groovin’. In terms of the actual game – I wasn’t as enamoured as others, but the soundtrack really took on a life of its own for me and it absolutely stands as a great retro/spacey/neo/pop record. Good.
As I’m writing this, I’ve just had a Twitter notification that the devs are working on a follow up in the same world…hopefully with Salvinsky handling the music!
Check out https://salvinsky.com/
Skelattack
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It’s always great to have certain records for specific occasions. Skelattack is now our go-to album for Halloween. There are so many influences here that call to mind Disney, Tim Burton’s output and classic cartoons that all hang together thematically and with a kooky n’ spooky joy. It is a soundtrack that creates a charmingly creepy atmosphere for the whole family. The waltzes especially Should you need more Jamal Green in your day, check out his soundtrack to TOEM and follow @jamalgreenmusic on Twitter.
Last Ninja 2
I’ve had a lot of good times with Last Ninja 2, thanks to Matt Gray’s astonishing work on this record. This is again an extremely evocative soundtrack that has an energy to it that blends classic beats and melodies with a really chunky modern production style. It’s full of feel-good music and melodies that really stick in the mind. The majority of the songs start off with a drum and bass groove and then slowly build, adding layers upon layer until I’m almost levitating in ecstasy. Combine all of this with one of the most visually striking albums I own – such a cool, ‘80s vibe – and it’s a recipe for solid gold.
Check out more of his releases at https://6581records.com/collections/reformation-matt-gray
Encodya
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One of the newer records I’ve covered, this became a fast favourite due to how much of an ambient soundscape it is, and the headspace the music puts you in. There’s a dreamy, thoughtful quality to the music that ebbs and flows like water, not beat-driven, it’s more of a warm canvas to relax your mind. During the coverage of this – and the accompanying interview with composer Yann Latour - https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2022/03/yann-latour-interview-yannlatour-vinyl.html
I corresponded with Yann for quite a while, and it was clear to me that he is a very cool guy with an infectious enthusiasm for music and various other creative endeavours. If you’d like to know more, check out his website - https://www.yannlatour.com/
I just realised that the main page on his site sports a picture of him looking like a younger Xander Berkeley, good.
Samorost 2
I’ve been a fan of Amarita Design for a few years now, and I’ve really enjoyed all releases that I’ve played, a huge part of this comes from the unique visual presentations and astonishing music that comes hand in hand with interesting games. I also have to say that everyone I’ve ever spoken to at the company – be it artists, developers, or PR – are as gracious and helpful as they are talented. Tomas Dvorak’s soundtrack here has so many stand out moments in the songs that really make the album shine, what makes things even better though, is how idiosyncratic they feel. Whether it’s creating trip-hop loops from the sounds of dripping water or taking the listener across an aural journey through an alien landscape, Dvorak (FLOEX) has a unique touch that makes all of his releases exciting and individual.
Toejam & Earl
The Bitmap Brothers Odyssey
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This was very much an impulse purchase. I went through an intense John Carpenter phase with his movies and albums, during which I realised that his theme from Assault on precinct 13 was sampled in the music for Xenon 2: Megablast and so – a bottle of wine in – I ordered this.
When it arrived, I was hips deep into how ‘Amiga’ it all sounded, with the music from Chaos Engine (Soldiers of Fortune if you are in the US) being explored quite fully in several tracks. I find that sometimes, I just want to hear music from a specific system and, until I pick up some more, this is my go-to record for Amiga action.
Metal Slug X
I’ve had some great records from Wayo Records, and as much as I enjoy Actraiser, Mr. Nutz - and more recently - Across the Worlds (to be mentioned in a future Video Game Vinyl Fantasies article), the Metal Slug X soundtrack again harks back to a very specific era of video game audio. Whilst there are a few tracks on here with nice, sampled military snare and a driving beat -as you’d expect from a game focused on constant shooting, there are some pretty wild moments where digitised speech loops are used for Eastern vocal inflexions and more experimental tracks pop up. As with The Bitmap Brothers Odyssey, this is a record I return to for a specific mindset and period in gaming that isn’t represented in vinyl form that often, if at all!
Red Faction: Armageddon
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This and the next album are tied in together. In one of my previous Video Game Vinyl Fantasies articles, I professed my adoration of Brian Reitzell’s 2014 Watchdogs soundtrack, which is an album I always have to put on when it catches my eye because it’s really, really good. Following this, I became determined to track him down to explain to him very clearly and definitely how awesome his album was. What followed was the most labyrinthine ‘tracking down session’ I’d ever partaken in, I was determined! I got lucky, and eventually got in contact with Brian, who turned out to be one of the most gracious people I’ve chatted to. He shared his memories of touring in my hometown of Cardiff back in the ‘90s and – amazingly – when I asked if he knew where I could get a copy of his Red Faction: Armageddon album (recommended to me by the ever-awesome Blip Blop - https://blipblop.net/) in the UK, he kindly offered to send me a copy in the post, as well as including Logan’s Sanctuary, which I’ll discuss in the next entry, below.
Released through Nile Rodgers’ Sumthing Records (a future article waiting to happen), Red Faction: Armageddon is one of the most drum-heavy albums I own, it’s full of bold, meat-and-potatoes tup-thumping action - drawing on Reitzell’s skills as a percussionist, refined in several bands - combined with heavy synth and electronica, this is an album that doesn’t lurk in the shows and comes out thunderously. A great record to get the blood pumping!
Logan’s Sanctuary
Not a videogame album per se, I had to include it here as it has been on such heavy rotation for the last few months. The result of Brian Reitzell’s work with Beck’s keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. back in 2000, this is the soundtrack to an imagined sequel to the 1976 movie, Logan’s Run…and, in the words of Codemasters, it’s absolutely brilliant.
A concept album with the story explained through an included glossy sheet, this runs the gamut of hypnotic ambience, video-game-like chiptune, summery pop, experimental loops and contains a gloriously acoustic drum sound – as well as some impressive rhythms and melodies – that keep me returning over and over. I definitely owe Brian a pint!
LudoWic – Elka Village
During one of Black Screen Records' generous sales, I snapped up some records hungrily and included this as I assumed it was the soundtrack to an indie game that I hadn’t been aware of.
Incorrect.
It is actually an album from Dutch musician LudoWic, simply released through BSR and as such, is not game-related at all (although LudoWic has composed the soundtracks to the games Katana ZERO and Second Extinction). This, however, was a mistake I was extremely glad to make, as the experimental soundscapes on Elka Village are entrancing and unique, making this a record I listen to surprisingly often when taking into account its avant-garde approach. An oddly emotional highlight is the track Without You, one of the few tracks on the record to contain vocals. Delivered in slightly broken English - which works in its favour - adding a layer of purity and innocence to a clearly emotionally charged ballad that deals with loss.
That’s a selection of the records that have been shaking the air near me over the last few months. I’ve had some more (with a few en route) recently, but I always like to wait a good few weeks for my thoughts and responses to settle, they’ll certainly be in the next update!
I hope you check out a few of these releases and I’ll be back again in a little while to talk about the next selection.
Please also check out the Games Freezer Spotify list, which contains key tracks from the above releases.
Thanks for reading, as always.
Britt
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