NieR Re[in]carnation Authentic Soundtrack: The Solar and the Moon Music Evaluate

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

In reviewing the second quantity of MONACA’s NieR Re[in]carnation OSTs, I proceed my grieving course of by reflection. Sure, I’m referring to the stay service cell title within the NieR sequence that had its servers completely shut down in April 2024. I’ve been grieving the lack of this surprisingly sturdy, story-heavy title. But, the music stays with us all the time.

This album covers NieR Re[in]carnation‘s second “season” or story arc, The Solar and the Moon (technically, its Japanese title was Track of the Solar and the Moon). It opens with an epic vocal monitor, “Kizuna (Bonds).” In my opinion, “Kizuna” is to the primary season’s “Inori” as Kingdom Hearts‘ “Ardour” is to “Hikari.” Which is to say, whereas the recognition of the primary recreation’s vocal theme is more likely to eclipse the second for many gamers/followers, I’m extra drawn to the dynamism of the second recreation’s vocal theme.

I actually just like the melody with its giant jumps on the primary two beats of every measure within the refrain. Additionally, it’s price maintaining this melodic pressure in thoughts, as we’ll revisit it in the long run. Then there’s the way in which it serves to inform the story of The Solar and the Moon‘s twin protagonists (estranged siblings Yuzuki Kurezome and Hina Akagi).

Subsequent on the docket is a few incredible menu/hub music. “Komorebi (Dappled Daylight)” serves as BGM for the primary bits of gameplay on this story arc, with the participant controlling both Hina or Yuzuki and assembly their paired-up ghost guides (Mama and Child for Yuzuki, Papa for Hina). “Komorebi” provides a becoming, ambient soundscape for these reminiscence characters, pulled from their regular lives in present-day Tokyo into the unusual world of The Cage.

“Yoi no Tobari (Night’s Pall)” and “Madoromi (Forty Winks)” are each BGM for added early parts of the participant’s expertise within the cage, and their introductions to the primary paired reminiscence characters: the ladies Saryu and Priyet, who attend a magical academy collectively. “Madoromi” is especially noteworthy with its wonderful use of marimba paired with a easy vocal melody. Whereas not as childlike because the “Pascal” theme from NieR: Automata, MONACA co-composer Shotaro Search engine marketing nonetheless created one thing candy and memorable with this one.

The following 5 tracks on The Solar and the Moon are all from Keiichi Okabe, MONACA’s chief and the composer for a lot of the NieR sequence. The primary of those tracks is probably my favourite of the entire OST. “Madan (Magic Bullets)” serves as the usual battle music for the Saryu and Priyet tales, and it’s an absolute blast to take heed to. Two vocalists carry sustained notes in higher registers whereas the pulsing beat and unrelenting piano ostinato maintain the tune full of life. On this monitor, so many components of what I really like from earlier NieR soundtracks come collectively, however the finish result’s one thing so stylistically distinctive to NieR Re[in]carnation.

I solely want I knew which vocalist(s) had been collaborating on this monitor. Vocalists Yukino Orita, KOCHO, and Saki Nakae are all credited for this album, however I don’t know who’s singing on which tracks. The one one I do know for sure… effectively, we’ll get to it.

Different notable tracks within the Okabe block embrace the creepy waltz-like music field monitor “Jigi (Kids at Play),” the somber vocal piece “Mizukagami (Water Mirror),” and the storied battle theme “Normandy.” If that identify rings a bell for you as a NieR fan, excellent! Years earlier than NieR: Automata was launched, not lengthy after Drag-on Dragoon 3 (later dubbed Drakengard 3 for Westerners) had hit cabinets, fortunate followers in Japan had an opportunity to see a stage play known as YoRHa Women.

The script and story to this stage play had been reworked many occasions through the years, however the base expertise typically utilized music from Drag-on Dragoon 3 regardless of no noticeable connection between that recreation and what would change into a prequel story to Automata. In 2014, the group behind the stage play launched a really uncommon CD containing the songs “Normandy” and “Guadalcanal.” These had been later confirmed to be unused tracks from Drag-on Dragoon 3, then repurposed as Japanese vocal tracks within the stage play.

In 2023, “Normandy” was re-repurposed, with a chaos language makeover, because the battle theme for NieR Re[in]carnation‘s AI city-state directors of opposing realms, named Marie and Yurie. It’s troublesome to say if these characters do, or may, match throughout the identical timeline(s) as DrakeNieR; fortunately, The Cage makes all tales attainable. And so, this gritty, intense battle theme left on the chopping room ground then shoved right into a stage play, discovered its approach as a battle theme in a now-defunct cell recreation. One wonders the place “Normandy” might crop up subsequent!

The following grouping of tracks from Shotaro Search engine marketing is designated for the final pair of reminiscence characters: would-be lovers within the type of a lowly pickpocket, Yudil, and a sorrowful princess, Sarafa, in a narrative sequence matching that of Scheherazade. In my NieR Re[in]carnation Postmortem Retrospective, I wrote in-depth about these characters, they usually stay a few of my favorites to today. Musically, I believe it is a robust block of tunes to match their intertwined tales. Actually, I’m not sure the context for “Sekiryō (Desolation),” and it might need even been used for Yurie. But it surely’s considered one of Shotaro Search engine marketing’s strongest compositions on this quantity, particularly as a slower piece. Piano, strings, vocals, executed completely.

“Kagerō (Warmth Shimmer)” and “Sajin (Mud Cloud)” are the story BGM and battle music, respectively, for Yudil and Sarafa. The monitor titles match with the visuals and with the type of the music. Search engine marketing makes nice use of the Persian setar (variant of the Indian sitar) and isn’t afraid to dig into these modal scales. The vocal efficiency for “Kagerō” is so good that it begins to rival NieR classics like “Temple of Drifting Sands” or “Imprecise Hope.” Properly, possibly not so good as “Imprecise Hope.” I actually may’ve used Emi Evans right here. Nonetheless, the Re[in]carnation vocalists are a marvel all their very own!

This brings us to “Shūu (Downpour),” music that serves for the cutscene and story BGM for the climax of the particular characters within the cage, Hina and Yuzuki. This music is so eerie, so haunting. There’s a particular chord used right here that I can not handle to parse out. It’s utilizing what I believe is a diminished chord, maybe half-diminished (minor seventh).

I keep in mind first listening to this concord, pulling a minor chord all the way down to one thing creepy and darkish, however by some means shimmering as effectively, in Michael Andrews’ soundtrack for the movie Donnie Darko (try the tune “Burn It to the Floor“). I believe I’d additionally heard this identical distinctive chord development in one of many many variants of the princess’s theme in Brandon Boone’s Slay the Princess. Level is, “Shūu” has this haunting musical high quality that I by no means wish to lose. As soon as once more, whereas the sport is gone, I’m glad the soundtrack stays.

For The Solar and the Moon‘s huge finale, a faster-tempo piece with new melodic strains comes collectively within the duet “Kusabi (Wedge).” This tune makes use of the identical melody from the refrain of “Kizuna,” with the identical girl singing. However there’s one other vocalist current! Doubtless representing the brother Yuzuki, composer Shotaro Search engine marketing himself is credited because the male vocalist on this monitor.

The title can also be good. Paradoxically so, as a result of the ties binding Yuzuki and Hina collectively are a household so dysfunctional that it results in violence, driving a wedge between these bonds is perhaps the one technique to save them. Do the siblings discover their approach again to one another? Can they forgive each other for what’s been accomplished? These deep feelings are captured within the music and lyrics of this unimaginable ending piece.

There’s a ultimate bonus piece, “Mama’s Errand,” a cute and peppy chiptune demake of “Kusabi.” This can be a good addition, and given what we finally find out about Hina and Yuzuki’s ghost companions, it’s honest to say that Yuzuki’s “Mama” was extra saccharine candy than the ‘true’ Mama from the primary chapter. She’ll be again, simply prepare for my evaluation of NieR Re[in]carnation‘s third OST quantity, The Individuals and the World.