Posted 2018-09-17, evaluated by the judges panel


We begin the week with not one but TWO upbeat electronic arrangements from Jorito (Jorrith Schaap), starting with this energetic synthwave collaboration with Sagnewshreds, arranging "Flight into the Unknown" from Secret of Mana: Resonance of the Pure Land:

"Originally, Sam (Sagnewshreds) claimed this track for the album, but due to time constraints he wasn't able to do a full remix in time. Since I felt that this was an iconic track we needed to have on the album, I offered him to collaborate, with me taking the lead in the track and Sam helping out with guitar parts.

We started talking about his original idea, which was chiptune with guitars. I tried some things, but couldn't come up with anything good. Instead, I opted to take a different route, and after my first synthwave track "Shovel Power," I felt it would be interesting to explore the genre further. I started out with the "chorus" part from the source track because I figured that'd make excellent material for the typical Italo/synthwave staple background synth stabs. After I added some gated LinnDrums, some typical bassline patterns for the genre, and messed around with the melody from the source, the rest fell into place very naturally.

Of course, I couldn't resist trying to add some chiptune anyway, and that was a perfect excuse to incorporate a chiptune solo too. Since I knew that Sam is a great guitar player, I also added some guitar leads in there, and, as he requested, I reserved a nice space in the arrangement for the kickass guitar solo he cooked up. Add copious amounts of reverb for that 80s goodness, slice it until it grooves, season it with some more cheesy synth sounds, et voila: 80s synthpop cheese! Bon appétit. :)"

Delicious! Album co-director The Nikanoru writes:

"Feel the wind off those neon skies! Jorito's high-flying synthwave take on this track takes the classic 80s synth-cheese, some heavy beats, and a little chiptune action sprinkled in to emulate the experience of being on Flammie's back as he/she soars through the air. Sagnewshreds' hair-metal style solo made my hair stand on end the first time I heard it -- the perfect addition for this blast from the past."

There's definitely a feeling of elation & elevation here, which is consistent with riding Flammie (or a Luck Dragon or whatever that thing Space Harrier hops on in the bonus stage is...) & soaring through the skies and what not. Right from that intro you've got a faceful of meaty, warm synth, then the Linns kick in (pun always intended) and everything picks up and, well, it's rather joyous. Synthwave is a pretty gratifying, accessible genre, and Kikuta's melody is already an invigorating & positive refrain, so line the two up, add some chip, add some SS on guitar, and Bob's your uncle. Not literally. Unless he actually is. Gario had some concerns about how the guitar was mixed but was feelin' it nonetheless:

"It's definitely a different approach to the source material; it stands on its own with the different reharmonizations used throughout, but it definitely stands firmly in the source material. The sound design is pretty eclectic, which works great for the most part."

DragonAvenger adds:

"Really love the style change, and the bass is kickin'! Great energy overall, and while it gets a tad repetitive towards the end I felt it didn't overstay it's welcome. Nice collab between you two, hope you both work together again!"

Ditto that; it's fun, has great energy, blends synthwave, chip, & guitar effectively, and transforms the source while keeping it easily recognizable. Happy!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 5 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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CJthemusicdude
on 2024-05-08 11:11:59

This remix definitely encapsulates the feeling of flight well. The reverb of the snares gets sent into the stratosphere in a wonderous drift. The synthwave aesthetic just fits so well with any sort of traveling theme! This remix was rock solid. Excellent job!

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Liontamer
on 2019-11-18 02:33:28

Dance-in-your-chair good. :-)

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Black_Doom
on 2018-09-18 14:54:28

Absouletely killed it as always! This is one of those tracks that are very special for me: whenever I'm too stressed or worried about something, I just play this tune, and it really cheers me up a lot ;) From catchy groove to beautiful instrumentaion, this track is 100% solid in every aspect you can imagine. That chiptune break alone is incredible! If I didn't know it is your work, Jorrith, my first guess would be Sir_NutS, actually, so that's sayin' something, I think :) Special kudos goes to Mr. Shreds for his brilliant guitar chops - they certainly made the track much more varied and energetic. And also they perfectly worked in the mellow-ish outro. Nailed it, guys!

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Souperion
on 2018-09-17 19:04:59

When Resonance of the Pure Land came out, the track I was most hopeful for was Flight Into the Unknown. And I, and likely everyone else, was not disappointed. It's peppy, it's beautiful, it's faithful, it's innovative... more than I could have expected in a single track. Thank you for bringing back to life the exhilaration of soaring on white dragon's(?) wings.

avatar
Liontamer
on 2018-09-17 13:18:52

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Secret of Mana (Square , 1993, SNES)
Music by Hiroki Kikuta
Songs:
"Flight into the Unknown"

Tags (9)


Genre:
EDM,Pop
Mood:
Energetic,Happy
Instrumentation:
Chiptune,Electric Guitar,Electronic,Synth
Additional:
Time > 4/4 Time Signature

File Information


Name:
Secret_of_Mana_Beyond_the_Big_Infinity_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
7,588,273 bytes
MD5:
9567a2b14f22a1ebe29c2e75d4de2935
Bitrate:
223Kbps
Duration:
4:29

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