Music Monday #3 + Why You Should Buy This Soundtrack

Due to Saturday's post being shorter, I figured today's should be a bit longer. And what better way to do that than to pick a song from a really fantastic soundtrack? (If you think there's an even better way, then trust me, there isn't. At least, not on a Music Monday post.)

So today's song is one from a video game soundtrack. Some people may not think of video games when soundtracks come to mind. However, game music tends to actually be really good much of the time. This one is particularly phenomenal.

"First Steps Into Sunken Glades" from Ori and the Blind Forest

Composed by Gareth Coker

Allow me to tell you a story, if you will. I had discovered this soundtrack a while back and, after previewing the first track (which has some absolutely gorgeous vocals), decided I needed to buy it. But it was never "urgent" or anything. That changed this year.

Some of you may know this, but for those of you who don't, Tracey and I took a nine-month college course last school year. Despite it being a whirlwind of busyness, it was really, really good. I learned so much in those nine months. As the program drew closer to the end, I was sad that I'd have to leave my fellow students--and the other people I interacted with--behind.

I had chosen to be in the media department for the year. During one of the last months, I was in the computer lab, working on a project. I decided to pull up the soundtrack for Ori and the Blind Forest. I enjoyed the pretty music, but I was also distracted by both the project and the sadness that I felt about leaving.

Then this track came on, and when 55 seconds passed, I froze. My eyes lost focus. I sat there, stunned, suddenly immersed in a world of sorrow. I had never experienced anything like it. It was as if Coker had taken my emotions and made a song out of them.

That day, I promised I would buy the soundtrack as soon as I could.

When I got a Steam account, I looked this game up, because I was curious to see if it was as good as the music. I also watched Jacksepticeye play the opening sequence, as well as a video of teens playing the game on the React channel. Believe me when I say that this game is top-notch. The artistic style is stunning, and you feel for the characters within a few minutes of playing--then the game throws you an emotional scene that brings to mind a certain death scene in The Lion King.

I knew I had to own the game, so I bought it along with its DLC, which was the original soundtrack for the game and an additional soundtrack that ensures you have pretty much all the game's composed music (and it was free, too!).

While I haven't been able to play the game yet, since my laptop's graphics aren't high enough, I have listened to the soundtracks multiple times. And I can tell you with all certainty, this soundtrack is one of the best I have ever listened to. There's a reason why it was nominated twice for best game soundtrack.

If you're expecting it to be super intense, you'll only be partially satisfied. There are a handful of intense tracks, "Fleeing Kuro" being the most memorable one, but this soundtrack aspires to be something else. It's more emotional in its music, striving to be both beautiful and haunting. It succeeds quite well, and does so through a very piano-based score.

The whole feel of this soundtrack is hard to put into words, but I highly recommend it. Listen to it, and if you enjoy it, purchase it. Coker nailed this soundtrack, and I think supporting it through buying the music shows that I appreciate all the effort he put into it. I bought this album for $10.99, and trust me, it's worth so much more.

So what did you think of the music? Would this be a soundtrack you'd consider buying, or is it too mellow for you? Have you heard of this game, or even that it's coming out with a sequel titled Ori and the Will of the Wisps? (I just found out, and I am officially PUMPED!)