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[originalsoundtalk]

TGCF OP2

The way this OP prepares us for entering Ghost City with the sound of creaking hinges is a delight.

It's there, very faintly in the opening few measures, and then again very faintly in the first line of the vocals. Most obviously it sticks out at 00:32 as Xie Lian is wandering the streets of Ghost city in the visuals.

There's something very anticipatory about it, but it also gives me goosebumps. Like I'm sneaking somewhere I shouldn't be and I know it.

[originalsoundtalk]

Emotion as Music #1 - Overtake!

Recently, I watched Overtake! I'm peripherally interested in motorsports, especially Formula 1, so I was excited by the prospect of an anime about Formula 4.

I was not prepared for what this anime would do to me with it's story and visuals, but I'm here to talk about the music. In general, the ost is solid. I already have a few other tracks I want to talk about in more detail. But there's one track in particular that is a really good example of "emotion as music".

How I, personally, define "emotion as music" is music that feels specifically composed to directly represent a particular emotion or feeling, rather than just drawing our emotions out in response to the themes, composition, instrumentation etc.

In this instance, the emotions/feelings I'm referring to are panic, terror, and anxiety.

The track is "Kouya's Trauma".

This is one of those "instant-goosebumps-something-is-very-very-wrong" kinds of tracks. It really captures that "sound from underwater" feeling of panic or terror. Right from the very first second, the howling/roaring fills your ears like being submerged. The static is harsh and comes in random bursts which keep you on edge because they're unpredictable. The discordance between these two sounds and the melodic line on the harp when it does come in adds yet another layer*.

And then we have the low, dull bass note that starts playing at around 00:50. On the one hand, I feel like that's designed to put yet another pit in your stomach just from the sound and rhythm alone because it just adds to the overall overstimulation. But on the other, from the timbre and rhythm it could be interpreted as voices, twisted into a low, unintelligible buzz like they might be during a moment of panic or shock or anxiety. This idea of the buzz as voices is supported somewhat by the story, too.*

The track is discomfiting, it's anxiety inducing, it's overwhelming, and that's exactly the point.

It's designed to drop you in Kouya's shoes at the most harrowing moment of his life: the point at which his trauma took root and the whole reason he can't ply his trade anymore.

For those of you who have seen the show, you know exactly what "Kouya's trauma" refers to, but for those of you who haven't, I don't think it diminishes the discomfort at all. It's a very well-crafted piece of music and what I consider a very good example of emotion as music.

*Thoughts on this harp line and the "voices" continued under the cut - contains spoilers.

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My take on the purpose of the harp line, is that it represents Kouya's inner thoughts as he tried to think of a way to help and, when he couldn't, pleaded with the girl to run and get to safety. It feels urgent and there's a glimmer of hope in it. But it's also mournful, like he knew there was nothing she could do and his pleas would amount to nothing no matter how much he wanted them to. Because, after all, the situation was inescapable.

Aside from the notation, though, the other reason I think the harp represents Kouya's inner thoughts is that it's the only part of the track that's crisp and clear: everything else is dull or fuzzed around the edges, like external stimuli might be during a moment of panic.

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The reason I likened the low buzz to the sound of voices is because there were voices around Kouya during the tsunami scene: from the general sounds of the crowd around him, to the guy who specifically spoke to him, stopping him from going to try and help her because he knew it was fruitless.

[originalsoundtalk]

Just a Note

Hi everyone! Thank you for visiting my blog, you're very welcome.

I just wanted to note a few things before you jump in:

I am not a musician or a professional in any way. I am an amateur with some basic skill on the piano and drums.

I will do my best to use correct terminology but if I make mistakes, you can always let me know - learning new things is always appreciated (but please, be kind about it).

As a general rule, I won't be taking submissions for soundtracks to analyse. The main reason for this is I'm not a professional so I'm not confident to dissect music that I have no attachment to.

This blog runs on a deep-rooted love for music and *vibes*