Board 8 > I rank 300 VGM (2024 edition) [ranking]

(+) Yeah! (+)

Late with this comment but I'm glad you enjoyed Wisdom of Rage. I honestly think I survived longer overall than I expected to given our usual taste overlap (or lack thereof)!

7.5/10

lets goooo

115/2825
@NFUN
Parasite Eve - Somnia Memorias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9MYXO1nDJc

Spanish vocal BGM, thats a rare treat. This is an airy song that feels like a slow dance and a hot balloon ride while eating linguini and garlic bread. I greatly enjoy the six minutes I spend with Somnia Memorias. It feels sexy without being erotic, and sultry without being steamy. This is the nom of yours I connected with the most, and maybe because its telling me a story, singing me a lullaby, that I can only get from this particular song. I dont think theres another song out there that can evoke the exact same feelings in me.

114/2819
@-hotdogturtle--
Wario Land 4 - Yesterday's Words
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEmalE_04EI

One of the weirder nominations for sure (which believe me is saying a lot), Yesterdays Words is heavy on ticking clocks and other miscellaneous sound effects: cuckoo clocks, Hurry Up!! noises, tinkling keyboard. Theres something resembling a conventional song in the second half but I find that less engaging than the sheer audacity of the rest of the piece. Songs like that are what I was hoping for with this ranking, so thank you for providing!

113/2818
@Prince46
My Memory of Us - Scherzo for Friends
https://youtu.be/iM38sLLKVj0

This is a very nice rendition of old timey Polish-Russian-Jewish music, evocative of the World War II-esque period the game is clearly striving to emulate. This song is nothing like the other two 7.5s so far, but its every bit as compelling to me. This one was a really pleasant surprise, as I dont typically listen to this style of music, but you found an example that resonated with me.

112/2803
-hotdogturtle--
Pac-In-Time (Game Boy) - Jungle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uief1dx_uzI

Oof sorry for double drop This is such a fascinating chiptune. The sound design is just so intense, with long, dense notes that occasionally branch into harmonies. The overall effect is overwhelming (in a good way!). This is a port of a song from the Amiga version of Fury of the Furries (or maybe vice versa?); I like that version more but this goes places the other doesnt, so its very worth listening to.

111/2789
@DeadTaffer
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne - A Single Bloom in an Eternity ~ Illusory Flower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYhY0KUoHNk

Very dramatic song that seems to tell a story of war and hardship. I love the big horns; there are also a ton of instruments I cant even place, like what is even happening at 1:10? That horn-like instrument is very strong, but there are other facets too, like the drumbeat around 1:50 that feels like a rallying cry to war.

ELIMINATION 50/59: NFUN
Average rating: 6.4
Average ranking: 3995
Your lucky song: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Way to Fall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POp9lVSRrG8

Thank you for nominating!

OMG PAC-IN-TIME GB :)
it's awesome, I love hearing fury of the furries in GB format, altho ofc I prefer the Amiga ver. Amiga was first, Pac-In-Time is just a clone of that game that they put on SNES and GB (altho icr which,but one version was definitely very different to the Amiga I think)

rwlh posted...

ELIMINATION 50/59: NFUN
Average rating: 6.4
Average ranking: 3995
Your lucky song: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Way to Fall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POp9lVSRrG8

Thank you for nominating!

This doesn't start with P, wtf

petal gear solid

look at those paws, they're massive. they could rip a tank apart!

rwlh posted...

ELIMINATION 50/59: NFUN
Your lucky song: Way to Fall

The irony.

110/2777
@PIayer_0
Genshin Impact - Devastation and Redemption
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbB4YS8xFjI

Yooooo this is cool. Another unexpected musical culture from p0. I love all the dramatic musical flourishes; the vocals took some getting used to but I like them too! They feel like soaring through the sky. This song does the dreaded KEY CHANGE and I still liked it. This one is probably also in the probably wont listen to this willingly but I appreciate it category, but its too engaging when I listen to it for that to be a detriment.

109/2748
@DanKirby
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (PC Engine CD) - Seal of Time
https://youtu.be/Cw1tERqrqnI

Ive always liked the Ys 3 soundtrack, particularly the PC Engine CD version, which takes an already fabulous song and enhances it with top-quality production and mixing. Theres this weird little discordant note run at the start of the loop that reminds me of jazz fusion somehow; I dont recall hearing that in any other version. I also love the keyboard solo at 1:50. But yeah, solid melody, excellent 90s production.

108/2745
@failgirlema
Mawaskes - BGM#07
https://youtu.be/fUmc2te5-gk

A comment on this video says The synths say house but the beat says new jack swing! and thats a very apt description. At first I wasnt too into the samples, but they really grew on me. The whole thing is structured like an ensemble piece, with sudden trumpet! And tap shoes! And some sprightly bass work. I could see this being performed in a jazz club.

107/2742
@Place
Epic Loon - Even in the Carpathians, taking a train is still faster than riding a ghoul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9hF0okYl3o

This was among the most challenging songs to rank. The first time I listened to it I had no idea where to place it (no pun intended). It was eerily captivating but I wasnt super into it. Subsequent relistens helped me hone in on the placement. Its a complicated song with what I referred to in my notes as demented ass polymeter and gunshot sounds and a total tone change at 1:40 and some additional Eastern European music vibes. I think Im most into the part at 3:15, which gets big and symphonic and adds a weird horn instrument into the mix. I respect this songs steadfast refusal to be categorized! Live your truth, Even in the Carpathians, taking a train is still faster than riding a ghoul.

106/2717
@MargaretAnnMid
Suikoden III - Mysterious People
https://youtu.be/NbvfyzDSfH4?si=_rYxLCLNLV2gSf2X

Very soothing in that trademark Suikoden way. Nice string and woodwind samples. I dont have a lot to say about this one its simply a song that accomplishes its goal in a wonderfully succinct package. This is one Ill probably come back to again a few times. Thanks! FYI, this song went up from 6 all the way to a 7.5 on the relisten. Relistens can make dreams come true!

Two eliminations at once?!? Well I never.

ELIMINATION 49/59: PIayer_0
Average rating: 6.4
Average ranking: 3992
Your lucky song: Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter - Lifeline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egz-iIQoqcU

Thank you for nominating!

ELIMINATION 48/59: MargaretAnnMid
Average rating: 6.3
Average ranking: 3742
Your lucky song: Blinx the Time Sweeper - Forge of Hours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bRANXnW_88

Thank you for nominating!

rwlh posted...

Two eliminations at once?!? Well I never.

We have 47 nominators left and 21 posts in which to eliminate them so according to Big Number we should start getting used to it

I would imagine the last post will feature 4 or 5 eliminations

I will probably drop the number of songs per post once we reach a certain point. But yeah, the eliminations are only going to increase!

wow Carpathians is super cool.

Also Mysterious People is so pretty and is giving me really happy flashbacks to tearing through that game all those years ago.

105/2688
@Place
Seven Samurai 20XX - Seven Samurai (ending theme)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFQCDbTdpqM

This a lovely piece thats grounded in piano but incorporates other instruments, notably that warbly Japanese instrument I can never seem to identify (you know the one). Its an understated song. Lesser compositions might go for big sweeping moments, but Sakamoto takes his time, building something truly special. This one went up on the relisten from a 7 to 7.5.

104/2628
@Prody_Parrot
Sounds of Succubus - Y0U_R3 AN 1D10T ! !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXApAmeCc3M

Industrial with robot vocals, with some symphonic elements. Its a nifty combination. The song feels both ominous and triumphant alternatingly, particularly triumphant as 1:40 with big robot chords. This was a good attempt at catering to my taste, as its got plenty of chippy beepy shit despite not being a chiptune.

103/2615
@banshiryuu
Lanota - The Last Page
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfsonB9ZCk0

Getting big Crocus vibes from The Last Page (are you listening, p0). The song is a mixture of chippy and more organic sounds, and its unrelentingly hopeful and optimistic. If I didnt tend to like these kinds of songs, Id almost find it a little too saccharine, but it straddles the line here and manages to convey just the right amount of whimsy. I could see this one not just getting into VGMC but also doing well.

102/2602
@TunnelScene
Bleach Heat The Soul 4 - Ichigo's Inner World
https://youtu.be/2vW-o9GIuxI

Ah yes, good old evil, drunk piano. This is a nifty song that keeps adding surreal elements. Woodblock, and distorted synths and glitch. The song opens up at 1:25 when the woodblock takes prominence. I love how off-putting this is. Maybe its the video background but I can conjure images of drifting through a changing void, or falling through a liminal space.

101/2596
@xx521xx
Super Bomberman R - Planet Scrapheap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4Hk52Noyss

Yay factory noises! Youll be hearing those quite a bit as we enter the top 100. Planet Scrapheap lives up to its name and heavily features industrial percussion and robotic sounds, plus theres even a bonus robo vocal that sounds childlike! Nice job on this one. I get a smile on my face every time I listen to this song.

ELIMINATION 47/59: banshiryuu
Average rating: 6.8
Average ranking: 3478
Your lucky song: Megido 72 - Crafty Reverse Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7D7pRrD4cM

lol

Thank you for nominating!

Paratroopa1 posted...

I would imagine the last post will feature 4 or 5 eliminations

Surprise! The top 5 is all Sonic Rush songs from Devi.

azuarc posted...

Surprise! The top 5 is all Sonic Rush songs from Devi.

She only nominated four though!

that's why it's a surprise

I think we had the same reaction to Genshin's Chinese opera song, it's surprisingly enjoyable and epic-sounding! The Peking opera tradition is old but not "China old," coming from the same time period as Wayfaring Stranger. Jackie Chan actually trained for it as a child, and that's what got him started in martial arts and live stunts! As I understand it, the song is performed in the ending cutscene to a Genshin story quest, and tells the backstory of a different playable character from the singer. The storybook animation that accompanies it is really pretty!

My five noms started out as songs in different languages, which morphed into songs representing world cultures and then songs that transport you to a different place and time. I'm sure you will encounter them again in some form of Peking opera, Japanese enka, retro-styled K-pop, Pacific Islander group sing-alongs, or solemn covers of American folk tunes. Game development can only grow more in non-Anglophone countries and we'll get lots of fun cultural exchange in the next 5, 10, 20 years.

The Last Page was wonderful. The animation was a delight too.

I was kinda oddly disappointed by evil drunk piano. I think it wasn't quite drunk enough. Plenty evil though.

100/2588
@xx521xx
Cybersphere - Level Music 3
Clay Hellman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1hxE7ApMfg

As FM synth as they come, folks. If you dont like FM synth, you wont like this. But if you appreciate a good brassy chippy song, check this one out. The melody is sort of lackluster but that surge of power the song does all throughout is more than enough to make up for it.

99/2545
@Disillusion
Thunder Force IV - Sand Hell
Toshiharu Yamanishi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOzgUtumOo0

A strangely moving and heroic Genesis song. Really terrific bass here, and the melody is top notch. This is a soundtrack Ive always meant to dive into, so I appreciated this little glimpse into a track I wasnt familiar with. Sand Hell is both soothing and catastrophic at the same time, straddling itself on the precipice of emotion (theres a phrase).

98/2543
@JONA
Tekken Tag Tournament - Yoshimitsu Theme
Nobuyoshi Sano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsvB0s_bI9U

no eye no ear no nose no hand no body no mind no shape no shape I love how futuristic this sounds, with spacey effects in the background and that robotic chanting of the mystic-sounding body parts. Its a very unique song, yet its one I could only really see coming from the Tekken franchise, the same series that gave us Yodeling in Meadow Hill and Highschool Love alongside classics like this.

97/2536
@-Chaos-Zero-
Risk of Rain Returns - Surface Tension Returns
Chris Christodoulou arr. Damjan Mravunac
https://youtu.be/3YCBbw8LaOI?si=sMHYiOw5uhtYED56

Very cool song. The 5/4 time keeps me on my toes the whole time. I love the interesting percussion and compelling other instruments; they utilize rock elements mixed with electronic and keyboards. Im unfamiliar with the original version but this seems like it would be a fun spin no matter what the original sounds like.

96/2515
@Bane_Of_Despair
Pyre - Thrash Pack
Darren Korb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LMZYnOml54

This distinctly feels like non-VGM to me (which makes sense, given that I associate you more with that category). The drumwork is really terrific here, as is the main guitar riff. I kept expecting vocals to kick in at some point, but Im okay that they dont this is a song that can easily stand on its own. The meter briefly changes up around 2:35, which was a nice surprise.

YOSHIMITSU THEME hi:)

Not surprised that Undertale Core is my last nom as it's the most traditional VGM piece I nommed. Glad you like Thrash Pack though!

SURFACE TENSION wait where's the 5 on 7 polyrhythm. Smh. (It's still there but only for a very small part in the middle)

Bane_Of_Despair posted...

Not surprised that Undertale Core is my last nom as it's the most traditional VGM piece I nommed. Glad you like Thrash Pack though!

in a rwlh ranking, that is actually a little surprising

95/2494
@TunnelScene
The Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System - Music of the Spheres (Custom Mix)
unknown composer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D46P1maMTNE

TunnelScene was kind enough to make a seamless mix of various snippets from this game, turning what could have been a mishmash of musical ideas into something cohesive and coherent. Their upload description says:

Music of the Spheres is a minigame with an interactive soundtrack, featuring short loops that can turn into fuller layered music with your actions. This is an attempt to showcase all possible segments in a way that feels like a single cohesive piece of music, while still simulating the clunky jittery experience of scrolling through the options occasionally. Ironically, despite containing easily the longest amount of music in the game (~40% of this game's music data is for this), this minigame is somewhat hidden and often missed by people playing this game.

I really like the deep bass throughout, and the bright electric squirrely noises at 1:30 are welcome. Later on there are breathing noises, a sprightly percussive melody, and some nice volume mixing throughout (I wonder if that was added by TunnelScene or was already present?).

94/2408
@Haste_2
Occultic;Nine - THE MUTUAL FORCE
Takeshi Abo
https://youtu.be/d6aX_FuVRWM?si=s_9DTs3xyaUqgHLN

This is some nice electronic ambience that reminds me of Danganronpa, despite not being composed by Takada this time! The layering of different musical elements is handled very nicely here; it feels like theres always something new to latch onto. Ive commented in many writeups about my love of spacey stuff and while THE MUTUAL FORCE doesnt lean into that aesthetic as hard as some of the other nominations, it still conjures up a feeling of looking up at the sky and reflecting on the future.

93/2394
@bebr117
Cytus - The Ricochet
Sta
https://youtu.be/xq41yQAisaM?si=IrJGXuoiBFQt1dJM

If The Ricochet played more with the melody at 0:20, it might have been as high as a 9. That brief melody is so strong that it bypasses some of the other musical elements in the song that I find less interesting: the wubs, choppy textures, etc. Its not like I dislike The Ricochet, but that melody is very clearly the selling point for me, and if it were more present Id like it a lot more. Alas, we must take what were given!

92/2359
@OrangeCrush980
Yakuza Kiwami - Virtical Point
Hidenori Shoji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc0Q9sfbhwg

Virtical Point is the highest ranked of the four Yakuza nominations. Its nothing like the others maybe this is why it ranked so high? Its a menacingly paced EDM juggernaut that feels more akin to a nightclub brawl than a late night karaoke fest. Virtical Point has the distinction of probably climbing the highest in rating from the initial listen originally it was like a 3? I know Hidenori Shoji primarily from his work on F-Zero GX, and this feels like a different application of that compositional skill.

91/2298
@Place
Humanity - Intersect
Jemapur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOd4LDvkz-s

This feels like a song that started as an experiment: lets do a song on keyboards, but the melody will be slightly off, and then well see where it goes from there. Intersect has a loose, improvisational feel, between the keyboards and the other strange, almost bird call-like instruments. Its truly unique. I found this song difficult to conceptualize at first; it took another listen for me to find my footing with it, and Im happy to have experienced it.

ELIMINATION 46/59: OrangeCrush980
Average rating: 5.4
Average ranking: 4251
Your lucky song: Famicom Tantei Club 2 - Confession of a Murderer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL4hR-Hj2O8

Thank you for nominating!

MUSIC OF THE SPHERES TOO?? this is so awesome

90/2214
@Isquen
Samurai Shodown 3 - 3 Destinies of Lamentation / The Charon's Sorrow (Basara)
Shin Sekai Gakkyoku Zatsugidan
https://youtu.be/1Ivl1a5fngU

This is a pretty messed up song. The long, drawn out notes and atonal melody and off-key(?) piano runs all add to a feeling of menace and unease. Its an example of a song thats overwhelming not by throwing a bunch of competing or loud sounds at the listener, but rather in the sense of its tone. This is a song that gets played not when youre stressed out/at your breaking point, but when the serial killer has decided they want to play around with you a little more

89/2211
@MacArrowny
Arcaea - Last Moment
onoken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_fXX3Y0Pis

anime -300 vgm ranking 2024

Last Moment has super anime energy, with vocals and production straight out of a moody anime show. Thats not necessarily a bad thing though. Its got clapping (and I like some clapping). The overall presentation is slick enough that its a delight to listen to. It even manages to do a key change for like half of the time and I still liked it! Thats saying a lot.

88/2174
@Paratroopa1
Kirby's Dream Land 3 Iceberg
Jun Ishikawa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV_7X_znB9E

I love the many cool breakdowns and shifts! Theres a random bass solo at one point. Around the loop point the meter gets all weird, which is cool. I dont have a lot of specific things to say here beyond this song is super cool and weird and charming and frenetic and intense and everybody needs to listen to it right now

87/2154
@Anagram
Your Turn to Die - Majority Rules B
Nankidai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx2LreJtjPc

This is slightly more complicated than the first Majority Rules song in that there are more parts to it, theres percussion and strings and a sense of being overwhelmed. Like the other YTTD noms, it does a lot in establishing a mood with such a short loop. The link is 5 minutes long but the actual song is under a minute; despite this, I find myself listening to the full extended version every time.

86/2132
@FL81
Pinky Ponky - In the Elevator of the Department Store
Ohshima
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf6G1XGkNBk

Good lord, the bass in this song goes whole ham. Its a relatively normal chiptune but then theres this bass that is just OUT OF CONTROL. Its loud and takes over the song at parts. I think its hilarious. The melody is also catchy in that classic retro obscure gaming system way (PC-98, PC-88, etc. this is from the Sharp X68000). Very fun to listen to!

ELIMINATION 45/59: MacArrowny
Average rating: 5.5
Average ranking: 4276
Your lucky song: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 5 - Lightning Dance(GameVersion)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9jQCrrU1JI

Thank you for nominating!

haha, a few years back I got really into Wangan Midnight music and listened to a buttload of it. I still enjoy it, but find myself in a place where it kinda all sounds the same to me. Good pick!

rwlh posted...

the serial killer has decided they want to play around with you a little more

Well his epithet IS "The Executioner."

(Or the Decapitator, depending on what your translation of Kubikiri is)

fm synth slap bass my beloved

Whenever I hear people refer to that Kirby song as "Iceberg" I always think that they're talking about the stage select theme.

last moment is a bit too rhythmy for my tastes but it's still really good.

Majority Rules B is really cool. I like how authoritarian it feels in contradiction to its name; it really drives home what (I assume) this game is about.

options in the last song are:
1) Call out to her
2) Actually, forget it
3) Start dancing

dowolf posted...

1) Call out to her
2) Actually, forget it
3) Start dancing

All of the above, in that order.

85/2128
@azuarc
Genshin Impact - Gilded Runner
Yu-Peng Chen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIclOmL1LGg

When I first heard Gilded Runner, I giggled at how mischievous it sounds. It feels like a great song for sneaking around, much like azus previous drop. I sense a theme! This song famously uses a timesig based on the Fibonacci sequence, but it still feels less like odd time than other, less complicated songs. I dont know why that is! Its cool, but I wouldnt put that as a principal reason for why I like the song. Its so evocative, particularly the part around 2:35.

84/2125
@UF8
Aster Tatariqus - XION
Yoko Shimomura arr. Shota Horie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liCsjACEeJA

NOW IT IS TIME TO MAKE A CHOICE

This is a great guitar-piano combo, particularly the guitar solo at 1:25. The singer is wistful but authoritative (see the above quote). The whole thing has an overall good energy, like an epic rock song but more low-key, if that makes sense? I was surprised to see Yoko Shimomura on composer credit here should I be familiar with the original version of this?

83/2082
@TunnelScene
Digimon World 2 - Kernel Zone
Koji Yamada, Satoshi Ishikawa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAw46GqJcKA

Bells again. Not just bells evil bells. This is Afternoon in Crossbells wicked cousin, who hatches potions out of pigs blood and sings off-key nursery rhymes to impressionable children. This feels like a very short loop but I dont mind that like the Your Time to Die songs, Kernel Zone is very effective at accomplishing what it sets out to do. Those off-key bells are really something else. Maybe for the next ranking I should stipulate how much I love bells

82/2053
DeviDoesNothing
Sonic Rush - What U Need
Hideki Naganuma
https://youtu.be/neN6N5tKTTU

I was given five Sonic Rush nominations, four of them by the same person, plus a song from Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. Until now, only one of those songs has dropped. I told you I liked Naganuma! Anyway among the other Rush songs this ones a bit lackluster for me, but Naganuma is like Nekomata, and lackluster for him is probably still a keeper. Not much to really say about this one; if you like Naganuma, youll probably like it.

81/2036
@skulltrumpets
Kaze no Notam - Tranquility
Ryuji Nishida
https://youtu.be/6sf8KI6xEf8?si=byAj104Xd_shL1Gb

Kaze no Notam is a very top-heavy soundtrack from my experience. I adore Phantom and Solitude (both 9s), and while I find other songs vaguely pleasurable, nothing seems able to cross the 7.5 threshold. Nevertheless, Tranquility is a really great song. The word immaculate comes to mind. Its such asensuous song? I derive great tactile pleasure from listening to it. Not quite a 9, but no slouch either.

That's my favorite one :vulcry:

Whoa. I had no idea Shimomura had something like Xion in her repetoire. I really like it. Is this supposed to be a crossover with KH?

I lived trying not to fall
Doing whatever it took to hide my weakness
Nerves, pain, loneliness,
It all fueled me at one time or another

When they pointed fingers and laughed
I stared at my shoes and walked here
I put up a brave smile no one could tear apart
While no one saw the nails I dug into my palm

I want to keep marching on
Whether I'm Chosen or not
Now it is time to make a choice

If once, just once
Along the path I feel like I'm being guided down
I catch my breath --
If in all the days I acted strong
Until the end times came
I left a fragment of myself --

I'd wanted to be someone kind
I'd just wanted to be right
Blind to how every brand of justice flouted comes with it a heart
You pointed your finger and said,
"How much is any of that worth?"
Chasing after armchair ideals,
Believing in hope

I never look back,
So I never want to change
No matter if I'm chosen
Now it is time to make a choice

If once, just once
Along the path I feel like I'm being rushed along
I catch my breath --
If all the days I fought to find purpose
Until the end times came
Mark by body with at least a scar --

I cry tears, my voice hoarse
For I have fled from surrender

Emotion rises in me, becomes a birthmark
The scabs from all the acting --
The life of trying clutch at thin threads --
A vexing path along which I struggle

If once, just once
Along the path I feel like I'm being guided down
I catch my breath --
If in all the days I acted strong
Until the end times came
I left a fragment of myself --

Give song

Give love

https://youtube.com/watch?v=U-aZWNbdfC8

rwlh posted...

I was surprised to see Yoko Shimomura on composer credit here should I be familiar with the original version of this?

shimomura has done basically the whole aster tatariqus soundtrack*

*allegedly (if there was anyone else they were uncredited besides the other guest vocal songs), it's probably the biggest soundtrack she's ever done if so (there's a solid 200+ songs before counting jingles) but frankly there's a lot of stuff in there i didn't think she would've done

in any case, i have to admit i actually can't tell if it's meant to be an arrangement of an existing song on the soundtrack or whatever tbh but i don't recognise it, skimming the gamerip. as far as i can tell, it was the only unique song in the crossover event with her and it wasn't even in the gameplay (they just had the music video accessible from the hub screen at the time) so the source cut was probably just not public

it would actively not surprise me if the original sounds absolutely nothing like the music video, i think there's a reason it has separate arrangement and mixing credits

UF8 posted...

shimomura has done basically the whole aster tatariqus soundtrack*

*allegedly (if there was anyone else they were uncredited besides the other guest vocal songs), it's probably the biggest soundtrack she's ever done if so (there's a solid 200+ songs before counting jingles) but frankly there's a lot of stuff in there i didn't think she would've done

in any case, i have to admit i actually can't tell if it's meant to be an arrangement of an existing song on the soundtrack or whatever tbh but i don't recognise it, skimming the gamerip. as far as i can tell, it was the only unique song in the crossover event with her and it wasn't even in the gameplay (they just had the music video accessible from the hub screen at the time) so the source cut was probably just not public

it would actively not surprise me if the original sounds absolutely nothing like the music video, i think there's a reason it has separate arrangement and mixing credits

Interesting! I didn't know anything about the game. The song doesn't sound much like "stereotypical Shimomura" imo.

80/2026
kamakazikila
Hyper Duel - Cosmo Babylon
Hyakytaro Tsukumo
https://youtu.be/1r3iBxKXBTI

So I dont love the opening to this song, but then it gets real good. The melody is great, and the arcade soundchip is put to great use. Really just an all-around terrific piece of music. The specific sounds this chip is able to produce lend the song a lot of gravitas; this is a song a VGM composer would write for a king.

79/2025
@bebr117
Galerians - Cain Battle Theme
Masahiko Hagio
https://youtu.be/G4ZwUdXTggs?si=v5sbhgL4-cWVVDx3

Can I just say that I was actually disappointed in how after the first few seconds of mostly static, this turned into, like, an actual song? I was really into the static. Ah well. For an actual song (lol) this is really cool. Lots of crinkly crackly sounds that enhance the song bursts of static, nails on a chalkboard. The pacing is slow but deliberate; its not in a rush to go anywhere. Like the dude in the video, it has you right where it wants you.

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8/10

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78/2013
@Prody_Parrot
SOUND VOLTEX EXCEED GEAR - TOKAKU=ALMiRAJ
MYUKKE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm2PBlJNLbA

Were now in the elite tier of music 8s and higher! These are, more than anything else so far, the songs I keep coming back to. This one is particular is what I call rhythm game sugar rush music. Not sure if this would be classified as denpa. Its got a little bit of everything: chopped up vocals, notes that sound like rainbows, glitchy effects. What more do you need?

77/2009
@Mihark
League of Legends - Quinn And Valor
Michael 1NST1TUT10N Barry, Christian Praeco Linke, Sebastien Chemicalseb Najand, Dan marignak Negovan, Alexander Scherzophrenia Temple
https://youtu.be/nmgH1ZSBv3w

There was discussion on Discord the other day about the role of orchestral music in VGM, particularly when it comes to AAA titles. I dont know if this song would fit that bill, but I would offer it to anyone looking for solid orchestral VGM. Its very theatrical, with plenty of flourishes (like the dip at 1:35) that surge and flow around a very compelling melody. I was very pleasantly surprised by this one, as normally I can take or leave such pieces. You also can tell I really liked it because there was an annoying key change near the end and I still gave it an 8!

76/2008
@failgirlema
Abnormal Check - Fake-Bangla
Akihiko Ishikawa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4XQBjid09I

Okay, finally we get to a song that Ive actively listened to a bunch since my initial listen. The only other song I can say that about was Silent Dragon Last Stage (all the way down at #155), which was a recent hit for me. Fake-Bangla is just so catchy. I love songs with middle Eastern/South Asian vibes (sorry, not sure what culture this is meant to be evoking guessing Indian from the Bangla title), and its got a nice crunchy arcade sound chip to boot. The unexpected vocals were a real treat. Given that this game is essentially a quiz show, I have to wonder where this song even plays

rwlh posted...

Given that this game is essentially a quiz show, I have to wonder where this song even plays

I don't know where any of the songs actually play for the most part but most of the OST is like this, so it's not particularly an exception in the whole "not sounding like a quiz game" thing

ELIMINATION: kamakazilika
Average rating: 6
Average ranking: 3664
Your lucky song: Genetos - Price of Prosperity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2nRIyjMowg

ELIMINATION 44/59: bebr117
Average rating: 6.9
Average ranking: 3263
Your lucky song: Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia - EXEC_CHRONICLE_KEY/.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob7Y3r5JqA8

ELIMINATION 43/59: Mihark
Average rating: 6
Average ranking: 3965
Your lucky song: 7th Dragon 2020-II - Shutoko - Spiral Maze
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu9wS4WcBQw

Thank you all for nominating!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZaemP2V1vs oh also fun bonus song by Hosoe that uses the vocal sample too

rwlh posted...

Average rating: 6.9

Ni.ce.

Yeah, I'd looked into Aster a bit. I really, really wish it weren't gacha but c'est la vie.

75/1998
@JONA
REFLEC BEAT limelight - Last Hometown
Naoyuki Sato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQJ8N8DZjQ4

Top 2000!!!!!!!

You know, I dont think I stipulated that I loved Nekomata Master, yet I was given at least three songs by him. Do you all just know me that well? Last Hometown is quintessential Nekomata: world music vibes, feels like its being performed by a bunch of people dancing in a circle, etc. Ive said this before about his music but an average Nekomata song is like a 7.5; this doesnt break any new ground but its very enjoyable.

74/1994
@Prody_Parrot
Taiko no Tatsujin: Nijiiro Version - Ka
LeaF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsOU0V2kpUI

This song exemplifies the trait of I have no idea whats going to happen next. Ka is glitchy. Not just glitchy it cycles through glitch and more standard fare, though even the more standard stuff is still amelodic and weird. The repeated breathing noises are terrific. I know I said I dont watch the videos when I listen to music on YouTube, but check out this video: it perfectly goes with the song. I think I understand the songs intent after watching it in a truly profound way.

73/1990
@GavsEvans123
Crash Team Racing Nitro Fuelled - Megamix Mania
Ashif Hakik arr. Nicolas Tremblay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT3l3g1Tj58

Of all the nominations, Megamix Mania was probably the biggest surprise. I really didnt like this song on the first loop I thought it was your standard cutesy platformer washed out guitar song, whatever that even means. Then it looped at a faster pace (final lap!), and I just absolutely fell in love. Maybe its that the song is best when at a fast tempo? But then I relisten to the standard tempo and it also sounds good. I guess it just took a few listens for it to click. But yeah, great stuff, glad I could look past my initial negative impressions.

72/1954
bea
Xenosaga II - Subconcious Domain (Summer)
Shinji Hosoe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgdqBv-KTrQ

In previous rankings Ive used the term crystally a lot to refer to music with a very specific type of note run. I havent trotted out the term much yet, but it absolutely applies here, a song that feels more winter than summer. One thing a lot of these high-ranking songs did (which again I dont think I said I even wanted! You just knew) is background wind noises. For this song, the background wind enhances the spooky, desolate main instruments. Its a piece thats light on melody and high on ambience, and those songs can often be a big hit.

71/1951
@Arti
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Cornered ~ Spell Breaker
Yasumasa Kitagawa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8gKrIeW1dM

As befitting a crossover, this song sounds like it takes solid elements from both its originator series. Weve got the intense Cornered vibe from Ace Attorney, but weve also got the slower, more ominous vibe from Professor Layton. Yasumasa Kitagawa combines both styles in a very aurally pleasing way. Those big orchestral hits are so delicious you could serve them with a nice pot roast.