ReMix: Final Fantasy IV 'Somewhere to Hide'

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Final Fantasy IV: Echoes of Betrayal, Light of RedemptionFinal Fantasy IV

Hy Bound doesn't submit much, but this marks the second time an album track of his has made its way onto the site, and both tracks are refined, highly-polished gems. This latest is a collab with singing from Loka LaFevre that, while used more as a sample/refrain than a dedicated vocal track, adds a ton. This is a fantastic example of lesser-known FF4 source yielding something that really blows me away as one of the surprise tracks on Echoes of Betrayal, Light of Redemption. OA agrees:

"One of the last tracks to be completed, this track really takes the original to unexpected places, and proves that sometimes it's the simplest melodies are the ones with the most to say. Tyler's initial renditions showed a lot of promise, but once Loka joined in and started recording vocals, I knew this piece was headed "somewhere". ;-) Great ideas throughout, and some excellent vocal processing make this very cool without being the least bit predictable. Fantastic work to both artists here, and here's hoping for additional contributions from both artists in the future."

Very atmospheric, grammophoney opening progression reminds me of BioShock a bit, then things get down and dirty. I love how Tyler builds things up, and how only the first "Somewhere..." portion of the vocal hook is used initially, eventually opening up at 1'24" to the full phrase. What I like best is the sheer FORCE of the hits and beats here; everything feels like a punch to the gut. Remember the training scene in Rocky IV, where Ivan Drago was wailing on that funky machine that measured force? Yeah... it's like that. The piece has an unusual cadence to it, avoiding four-on-the-floor for a more syncopated, alternating beat that's off as much as it is on, dropping out then coming right back like a freight train. The edges are sharp, the synths are dressed up to the 9's, and Loka's vocals soar over the whole thing and are processed effectively. The elongated, cross-panned, robot-voice "Somewhere" is a really nice touch, as well.

There aren't too many discrete elements here, but all of them feel like the result of a long, refined selection process, and work perfectly together. I don't know exactly what you'd call this style - I personally find the preponderance of electronica sub-genres a little silly - but I'm a huge fan. It feels unique, contemporary, and above all, just has a lot of impact. Mr. the Bronx Rican put that power to excellent use in the Echoes trailer he did, and that vocal hook's been sticking in my mind ever since. A fantastic, memorable collaboration and one of my favorite tracks off Echoes, this is high-grade ear candy that packs a serious wallop.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
http://reoganworks.blogspot.com/2011/02/song-of-week-325.html
Love Hy Bound's style. Great track.

- OutSpoken on July 5, 2011
The two words that first come to mind when I think of this song are BADASS and EPIC. Keep'em comin!!!

- datin on April 14, 2011
I haven't posted how much I love this track yet? o.0
This song is one of my five top tracks on the FFIV project. Can't go wrong with it. Just took a dark piece, and made it drip with pure awesomeness.
Good job! :)

- JadeAuto on June 14, 2010
Whoa! Loka's vocals were spectacular in this mix! The atmosphere was set up real well with the beats and I enjoyed that really metallic sounding "somewhere" at 1:47. Good energy song from a sweet album.

- Crulex on June 14, 2010
This track is pretty. The effects during the intro have a really cool gramophone sound that shuts off into the hard synths and LaFevre's soaring vocals. I think that it's really cool how sharp the synths sound, but I feel like the track doesn't have a strong enough bass beat - though what it does have is really awesome.
That's probably my love of heavy beats speaking though.
The ending of the track is a nice restructuring and heavier section, and though the vocals are minimized (and a bit of serious vocoding) I think its an excellent climax ~> ending.

- Lint on May 7, 2010
I've listened to the FFVII Lifestream album last year and Hy Bound's track was my favorite by far. Just came across this one today and I love it just as much. Had to sign up and say so. Keep making more tracks, Hy Bound!

- AvatarTT on February 18, 2010
God DAMN this song is insane. One of those ones that I love to crank up as loud as I can and see if I can catch anybody's attention with it, because that's exactly what this mix does; it grabs your attention and doesn't let go. The phat bass and breathy vocals are a perfect combination, and while some of the sound effects and transitions get a bit tired by the time the mix is over, I love the overall sound design and the sheer ballsiness of this song!
You took a stylistic risk but it paid off in the form of, what I think, is the best pure-electronic song on the album! :-D

- Emunator on December 21, 2009
3rd favorite track of the album, behind Phantom of the Zeromus (No! Get BACK! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo!) and Fighting for Tomorrow. Hy Bound doesn't pull any punches with the production, and to Loka LaFevre, your voice is angelic. Great stuff!

- relyanCe on August 4, 2009
Since I have no idea when I'll manage to fully review the album, it would be folly not to comment on this track. I almost feel bad saying so but this seems to be one of the tracks that is really standing out to everyone including myself so far, and with good reason.
I really love the slow intro which is more along the lines of the source, which changes pretty drastically without completely alienating the original once the beat jumps in. The vocals really take the song to the next level, despite the fact that there isn't much variety to them, they work very well in the context of the original, with Kain and Golbez hiding "somewhere" in the Tower waiting for you to find them.

- ZealPath on August 4, 2009
This remix was last seen walking in traffic, pushing a wheelbarrow carrying its huge brass balls.
In no way belittling the rest of the album, this is one of my favorites. Interesting, considering Beatsmith was one of my VotL favorites. Way to live up to your namesake, champ.
Assuming I've pegged where you got your name, that is.

- The Dennis on August 4, 2009
Most excellent. Mean synths.

- Nase on July 26, 2009
This is a real stand-out remix. It doesn't color by numbers, and despite its female vocalist, it's got balls.

- Shael Riley on July 25, 2009
After listening to the project with some non-gamer friends this is the one track where everyone wanted to know who produced it and who sang in it. Nuf said, keep it up dude!

- avaris on July 25, 2009
Striking stuff. About the most memorable track from the new FF4 album... There's something very catchy about the simple vocal punchline: this could easily be a big time radio hit (at least in Finland). Besides that the sounds and production are brilliant.
I'm not usually a fan of electronic music but this reminds me much of "Breakbeat Era" that I used to dig a lot for some odd reason.. Catchy, athmospheric, nice female vocals and yet very rocking.. Also reminds me of Tekken sound track, which is nice!
Superb work!

- ilp0 on July 24, 2009
Love it Love it Love it, keep bringin more to the table cause everyone will eat,
this one deserves to be on my list of DJ tonight, thank you. /bow /bow

- clofinn on July 23, 2009