NieR Re[in]carnation Authentic Soundtrack: The Individuals and the World Music Evaluation

Launched precisely one yr after the NieR Re[in]carnation servers have been shut off, NieR Re[in]carnation Authentic Soundtrack: The Individuals and the World comprises the entire music for the third and ultimate season of the cellular title. I’ve been methodically working my approach by the entire NieR Re[in]carnation soundtracks over the previous yr as a part of my prolonged grieving course of. With The Individuals and the World, the music helps me discover a little bit of closure, as did the unimaginable finale to the sport’s story.

The Individuals and the World first focuses on android 10H and her companion Pod-006; over time, it broadens the scope to incorporate Fio and Levania from the primary season, Hina and Yuzuki from the second season, and a few shock entities pulled in from different DrakeNieR/Taroverse, together with androids Devola and Popola, and even a short cameo from SINoALICE. I be aware all of those characters due to the musical illustration they get in The Individuals and the World.

Let’s begin with monitor ten, then. “Kasukana Hikari (Faint Gentle)” has an alternate title listed within the Japanese tracklist: “Gisho to sekai (The Ebook of Lies and the Universe).” SINoALICE followers will doubtless acknowledge the monitor title, in addition to the music. Right here, Keiichi Okabe is self-arranging the principle theme for SINoALICE, one other cellular recreation from the twisted thoughts of Yoko Taro. This music was added to the OST for one temporary sequence, during which the sport’s characters wander by The Cage and are available throughout an unlimited library alongside large statues of the characters Para and Noya. I get pleasure from Okabe’s strategy to this association, including new bits of rhythmic percussion to show this theme into one thing befitting a dungeon/surroundings in-game expertise.

Subsequent on the docket are two NieR classics. The tracks “Kyōshū (Homesick)” and “Kanjaku (Tranquility)” even have alternate titles, solely listed within the Japanese model of the tracklist. These alternate titles are “Inishienouta (Track of the Ancients)” and “Odayakana nemuri (Peaceable Sleep),” respectively. I used to be happy as punch to listen to Emi Evans lastly grace the Re[in]carnation stage; nonetheless, these aren’t new recordings. In “Track of the Ancients,” Okabe slows, stretches, and reverberates Emi’s vocal monitor to match the scaffolding of recent instrumental accompaniment. And “Homesick” is a superb alternate title for this piece: for android 10H, she’s been stationed away from her residence planet and her brethren for 1000’s of years. Shotaro Search engine optimization’s association of “Peaceable Sleep,” nonetheless, is my favourite of the three borrowed tracks for this OST. Emi’s voice maintains heart stage with synth pads and a few gentle piano guiding the remainder of the monitor. Chic.

Leaping again to the album’s begin, we’ve got “Chigiri (Promise).” As with the earlier two OST volumes, this monitor serves because the vocal theme for the chapter. “Chigiri” is good, dulcet, and completely uplifting. On this approach, it stands in sharp distinction to the 2 earlier vocal tracks. Given NieR Re[in]carnation‘s stunning pleased ending, this can be a becoming piece of music. Vocalist Yukino Orita introduced tears to my eyes with this one the very first time I heard it. Virtually two years later, I’m nonetheless awestruck.

(A be aware to the fantastic of us at Sq. Enix and MONACA placing collectively NieR live shows: I’m so glad Re[in]carnation is getting some illustration, however let’s develop previous “Inori!” Give “Chigiri” the shine it deserves!)

The subsequent three tracks are all menu and surroundings themes. “Unusual Path” is an upbeat piece that marks the earliest piece of music in 10H and crew’s journey off the moon. I used to be shocked by how catchy this piece is. Shotaro Search engine optimization takes the reins from Keiichi Okabe with “Distorted Logic,” a gloriously ambient monitor crammed with digital noise, human whispers, and whirring synths. I really feel the battle between machine and android inside this piece. As for the fourth monitor, “Tender Wind,” it’s an upbeat piece of music that seems to be sampling Orita’s vocals from the opener, and it’s a pleasure to take heed to!

We lastly hit a battle theme at monitor 5: “Shūshō (Agitation).” I consider the vocals on this monitor are from Saki Nakae, although they might additionally function Yukino Orita on the refrain. The beat on this one is ideal, a grand combine between synth instrumentals and human vocals. Shotaro Search engine optimization is at his greatest when he pens a bit like this. To not be outdone, Keiichi Okabe throws down an equally spectacular battle theme in “Kikkyō (Shock).” Our vocalists are in anticipated kind with improbable chanting elements, particularly with the drag triplets. Harmonically, although this monitor makes use of only some chords, they’re large, obscure chords with loads of extensions highlighted in piano arpeggiation. It’s lots to maintain monitor of; becoming, I’d say, for a NieR battle theme.

One other improbable battle theme is “Sokuin (Sympathy).” This specific battle theme serves a wild, fascinating goal that references Ending E of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…—to that finish, Okabe crafted a battle theme that feels extra consistent with Replicant than Automata within the particular, secret third recreation that’s Re[in]carnation. The percussion particularly jogs my memory of the various battle themes in Replicant, together with the boss battle model of “Track of the Ancients.” The vocals are intense, they usually trigger me to replicate on Kainé’s determined refusal to just accept what destiny tried to deal out to her.

Kuniyuki Takahashi, a MONACA composer who had a big influence on shaping NieR Automata‘s soundscape, jumps in with two wall-of-sound choir items. “Anei (Foreboding)” and “Futō (Tenacity)” are two variations of the identical choral piece, the previous used for exploration and the latter used for battle, when Pod-006 and the digital get together she carries along with her lastly contact down on planet Earth. This piece really grounds the Re[in]carnation expertise on the planet of its forebears, all whereas acknowledging the various adjustments within the years (Millennia? Aeons? Who is aware of?!) for the reason that occasions of NieR Automata. It was a terrific alternative, bringing Takahashi in for this.

(Apart: simply writing about this brings again nostalgia for one thing I can by no means play once more. I like this recreation’s story a lot. See extra in my article The Finish of Service: A NieR Re[in]carnation Postmortem Retrospective.)

For the huge ultimate battle sequence, the MONACA members contributing to this OST (Okabe, Search engine optimization, Takahashi) joined forces to create a medley-finale entitled “Hengai (Limitless Past).” The percussion is pounding, the brass is booming, the strings are hovering, and the vocals are vivacious. A number of motifs weave collectively, together with some vocal work from the sooner OST volumes. Clocking in at over seven minutes, this is without doubt one of the strongest and memorable tracks throughout all three volumes. It’s one other good candidate for a stay live performance efficiency!

Ultimately, although, Re[in]carnation ends not with a bang, however with a whisper. “Kuon (Eternity)” is a harp solo association of the sport’s principal / vocal theme from the primary season, “Inori (Prayer).” This can be a good selection for an ending, and in some methods, it helps me course of my grief.

And right here we’re. Having stepped by the entire NieR Re[in]carnation OSTs, I’m unsure that is my favourite, but it surely positively has a number of the highest factors within the musical sequence. And whereas Re[in]carnation‘s music doesn’t typically surpass Replicant or Automata in high quality, I believe I might make an argument that “Promise” and “Eternity” can stand toe-to-toe with these OSTs. Whether or not you had an opportunity to expertise this pleasant cellular title or not, I believe any NieR fan might respect the Re[in]carnation OSTs. In case you’re going to take that journey, I like to recommend grabbing all three volumes earlier than they exit of print.