Mates, have you ever spent any time within the Mount Holly mansion, centerpiece of the puzzle-adventure Blue Prince? In the event you haven’t, you really want to. When you have, you may need seen some eerie, haunting music as you traversed the ever-changing halls and chambers. Indisputably, the music suits the style, the surroundings, the ambiance, and plot of Blue Prince fairly properly. However are you accustomed to the creators of this distinctive soundtrack?
If not, you’re in good firm. I solely discovered of Dutch duo Trigg & Gusset due to Blue Prince. Oddly sufficient, these will not be the artists’ names. The lead composer seems to be one Bart Knol, who handles a lot of the instrumental recordings on this soundtrack. Nevertheless, the musical star and co-composer is Erik van Geer on bass clarinet. In the event you’ve spent even a second casually listening to the soundtrack, taking part in the sport, and even watching different individuals play, you’ve heard that bass clarinet. Van Geer’s gradual, mellow jazz traces within the opening “Tales of All Manor” set the stage so we all know what we’re entering into. Although this soundtrack will not be as motif-laden as, say, Brandon Boone’s Slay the Princess OST, it’s simply as atmospheric, with intentional limits on instrumentation.
One notable side of the Blue Prince OST? No drums. No percussion of any form, greatest as I can inform. Not solely does this enable for some wonderful rubato, it permits the listener to get misplaced within the mild, swaying tones with out feeling that pulsing, bouncing vitality. Whereas I discovered a handful of hanging similarities between Blue Prince and the preeminent escape room puzzler 999, the soundtracks for these two video games are diametrically opposed. Each soundtracks match the id of their respective video games effectively.
I’ve recognized a handful of tracks that elevate the ambient, atmospheric strategy to one thing extra akin to an earworm. First is “Below the Black Bridge,” a brisk 3/4 piece with an ostinato synth sample that comes as near percussion as we get on this OST (primarily serving because the music’s metronome). Knol handles the synth lead voicing completely. One thing about this piece jogs my memory of the title theme for the present Stranger Issues, although this piece will not be as ominous or threatening. “Below the Black Bridge” is extra contemplative, all whereas sustaining its eerie aura. Once more, that lead voice is an earworm, very singalong-able.
A 3rd musician, Jurren Mekking, seems as a visitor artist for precisely three tracks. He presents some fancy synth work on “Everlasting Ink” and “The Sacred Hour,” in addition to some subdued electrical guitar work on “Basis.” Of those tracks, I believe “Basis” is my favourite; Mekking’s guitar isn’t taking the lead. Quite, the guitar gives some layering and tender construction for an ambient synth piece that finally offers method to a handful of resounding notes from van Geer on bass clarinet. After I hearken to “Basis,” I can’t assist however suppose to myself: there’s ambient, after which there’s intelligent ambient. I can’t think about having the dedication and expertise to make music on this type work so effectively.
When you’ve gotten a style for this music, I believe you’re going to let it stick round for a while. Each little element turns into noticeable, do you have to let it. If left as tender background music, you’ll nonetheless decide up these bass clarinet traces, and you might end up alternating between responses of tranquility and anxiousness. It’s simply that form of soundtrack.
As a parting word, you might be questioning, “What can I do if I really like the Blue Prince Authentic Soundtrack however two hours of music isn’t sufficient for me?” Fortunate for you, Trigg & Gusset have been lively since 2013. That is their first recreation soundtrack (to my data). Nevertheless, their official Bandcamp web page presents 5 full-length albums and a few EPs, together with their new album Occasion Horizon, which has some extra energetic tracks and (wouldn’t you understand it) drums! I suppose this implies I’m recommending the reader try not solely this OST, however the artist’s full catalog! If you wish to see what darkish, nuanced jazz can do for you, that is the place to look/pay attention!
