In summer time 2000, on the younger age of 16, I wrote an embarrassingly terse evaluate of the Remaining Fantasy V soundtrack. Granted, the whole lot about this entry within the acclaimed collection appeared novel on the time, given its lack of official localization till across the similar time as Remaining Fantasy VIII. However there was, and is, a lot extra to say about this soundtrack than “it’s essential to hear it for your self, it’s fairly good!”
So right here I’m, 25 years later, giving Uematsu’s rating to Remaining Fantasy V the in-depth evaluation it rightly deserves.
Let’s begin with one thing enjoyable: battle themes. Remaining Fantasy V Unique Sound Model boasts 5 battle themes in whole, one thing that appears merely sufficient as we speak however bordered on extreme within the early Nineties. “Battle 1” is the sport’s normal battle theme, used for all random encounters. It contains the trademark rush of arpeggios and bass groove in its intro, then thrusts the listener right into a collection of fast-paced harmonic change-ups and modulations. Melodically, it’s not essentially the most fascinating piece on the soundtrack, however the tune’s construction and general pacing make it a basic.
“Battle 2” is the boss battle music used for a lot of the bosses all through the sport. At any time when I take heed to this one, I can’t recover from how on-point that compressed timpani sounds. That’s about as sensible as something obtained again in 1992. Melodically, this one is fairly easy, but it surely’s additionally straightforward to recall and sing again. So it’s one thing of an earworm!
The subsequent battle theme could be the single most acknowledged piece of music from Remaining Fantasy V. Sure, it’s “Battle on the Huge Bridge,” the music that turns into the battle theme for our recurring comedian reduction villain/rival, Gilgamesh. Right here we discover large arpeggiations, killer riffs, that An element trumpet melody, and a few of the greatest synthesized bass and rock organ that might probably come from a 16-bit console. For evaluation at even better element, 8-bit Music Idea’s video on this piece provides some nice evaluation with transcribed sheet music to assist observe alongside.
The ultimate two battle themes are “The Decisive Battle” and “The Remaining Battle.” The previous performs any time the get together squares off in opposition to the sport’s antagonist, Exdeath. Nevertheless, “The Remaining Battle” is saved for that particular second on the finish of the sport the place Exdeath transforms into Neo Exdeath. I might argue “The Decisive Battle” is the superior monitor right here, with that crunchy guitar chord synth hitting exhausting and people bass line triplets and constructing percussion hinting at what Uematsu would do within the subsequent recreation (trace: “Dancing Mad”).
“The Remaining Battle” arrives with a quicker tempo and elevated use of each minor and diminished chords. It serves as a positive send-off to the sport’s fight, however I do suppose it’s not fairly as listenable as “The Decisive Battle.” Becoming, then, that you just solely hear this tune as soon as per playthrough.
Let’s discuss overworld themes. Issues begin easy with the unassuming “4 Hearts,” which makes use of the sport’s essential theme as a key melodic motif, now made gentle and jaunty with some efficient percussion. The primary flight theme, used when driving the wyvern Hiryu, is entitled “Spreading Grand Wings.” That includes a flurry of sixteenth observe arpeggiation and a catchy melody, this one is unforgettable.
Two extra flight-based themes are available in earlier than we get any new “strolling” overworld music. First is “Mambo de Chocobo,” which performs if you fly on the uncommon black chocobo. This model of the chocobo theme is memorable for its mambo instrumentation, in addition to the voice pattern on the upbeat on the finish of every loop: “hoo!” Shortly after this on the tracklist, we’re greeted with the triumphant “Airship” theme, matching the brisk tempo and regal vibes that Uematsu has written in just about each airship theme previous to Remaining Fantasy V. There’s one thing so distinctive about these tracks—you hear them and instantly go, “Oh okay, we’re flying in an airship.”
Issues get extra intense as Bartz and mates discover themselves in “Unknown Lands,” the overworld music discovered within the parallel world that Galuf and Krile come from. This world map theme is extra somber, bouncing between main and minor keys. In my most up-to-date take heed to this one, I seen this drag triplet reverberated percussion line that sounds so clean below the arpeggiations and sustained melodic traces. Very cool.
However if you wish to go ‘deep’ with this music, now we have “Past the Deep Blue Sea.” This marks the return of the submarine (first seen in Remaining Fantasy III). That is my favourite of all of the overworld themes, with a 6/8 rhythm and harmonies primarily based on main, minor, and dominant seventh chords. Points of this piece can be heard in “Troia” (FFIV) and “The Serpent Trench” (FFVI), each when it comes to instrumentation and construction.
Nearing the top of Remaining Fantasy V‘s soundtrack, we’re handled to a different chocobo monitor, “Boko’s Theme.” It is a extra easy model of the basic melody, used particularly when driving Bartz’s pleasant yellow chocobo. Then, for our last little bit of overworld music, now we have the merged world music “A New World.” This piece has a extra pronounced melody than “Unknown Lands,” but it surely lacks the nuance and ornamental touches of the second overworld theme. It’s, nonetheless, an pleasing and somber piece of music.
We nonetheless have a handful of city, dungeon, and character themes which might be value celebrating. Initially, “Reina’s Theme” (aka “Lenna’s Theme”) is a gem, each bit as evocative and memorable as FFIV‘s “Theme of Love.” The bass resonance is simply so clean and spectacular for its time, serving to to spherical out the soundscape of in any other case upper-range devices.
One of many early city themes, “Cursed Lands,” is used within the fiery city of Karnak. The swing tempo (hitting the primary and third notes on triplets) in each the drums and synth organ melody is simply too cool. It is a comparatively brief piece, but it surely comes with such an unforgettable sound.
Spectacular as it’s, I don’t suppose it could possibly maintain a candle to “Residence, Candy Residence.” That is the music reserved for Bartz’s hometown of Lix, and it is likely to be my favourite piece of music on all of Remaining Fantasy V‘s soundtrack. Uematsu retains the instrumentation restricted to synthesized wind and strings, with a mixture of bowed and plucked strings. The piece is a midtempo waltz made with love and care, melody and concord coming collectively completely for the last word earworm. Take note of it.
For one thing foolish and unforgettable, I offer you “What?” This music performs in moments of interplay with unusual folks, animals, or in any other case humorous conditions. Its first main use, as advised by the tracklist order, is when Bartz has to wrestle down the black chocobo for the primary time to get these fireplace crystal shards. Melodically, the piece is little greater than a two-measure loop. However the cute upbeat ornament—first a triangle, then an exaggerated moose name on a bongo drum—is undeniably enjoyable and memorable.
Two extra tracks I might name your consideration to: “Prelude to the Void” and “Expensive Pals.” The previous serves as Remaining Fantasy V‘s penultimate dungeon theme, the place your get together wanders by way of all types of mismatched zones earlier than reaching the final-final crystalline void. The retro-future sound of beeps and whistles pressed in opposition to a robust brass melody strikes me as one in all Uematsu’s coolest musical strikes (he does it once more within the Entrance Mission spinoff recreation Gun Hazard, in addition to loads of tracks in FFVI).
As for “Expensive Pals,” this four-minute guitar piece serves because the musical epilogue to Remaining Fantasy V, and it comes with an analogous degree of care and element as “Residence, Candy Residence.” Given this piece additionally served because the title for the sport’s official organized album and has been reproduced at many Remaining Fantasy live shows, I believe it’s undoubtedly revered by Uematsu, the dev crew, and followers around the world.
Earlier than signing off, I’d like to notice the wonderful packaging with Remaining Fantasy V‘s soundtrack. Relying on the model you buy, the album could also be two separate jewel circumstances that slide into a bigger sleeve, or it could be one normal jewel case. In both occasion, nonetheless, the booklet and/or separate disc covers function some pretty art work from Yoshitaka Amano. That is simply another reason for collectors to contemplate looking down the bodily artifact.
