ReMix:Final Fantasy IV "Somewhere to Hide" 4:29

By Hy Bound, Loka LaFevre

Arranging the music of one song...

"Somewhere in the World..."

Primary Game: Final Fantasy IV (Square , 1991, SNES), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2009-07-21, evaluated by djpretzel


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.
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Necrox
on 2015-12-05 18:55:23

Filtered intro sounded great and the sudden transition was badass. Vocals were great (nice vocoding too) and the mix is driving. SIck use of this underrated source.

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Black_Doom
on 2015-01-18 14:39:55

Quite cool thing. The music istself is badass, it's perfect for snowboardnig/driving/any other epicness. But the vocals add some ethreal charm to it. Especially love the vocoded "somewhere" at 1:47. Awesome work.

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OutSpoken
on 2011-07-05 02:25:49
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datin
on 2011-04-14 16:08:40

The two words that first come to mind when I think of this song are BADASS and EPIC. Keep'em comin!!!

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JadeAuto
on 2010-06-14 21:33:02

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! :)

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Crulex
on 2010-06-14 15:23:56

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.

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Lint
on 2010-05-07 00:42:14

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.

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AvatarTT
on 2010-02-18 19:52:49

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!

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Emunator
on 2009-12-21 23:59:17

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

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relyanCe
on 2009-08-04 16:56:17

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!

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ZealPath
on 2009-08-04 15:02:18

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.

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The Dennis
on 2009-08-04 12:10:10

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.

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Nase
on 2009-07-26 00:55:12

Most excellent. Mean synths.

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Shael Riley
on 2009-07-25 21:41:33

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

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avaris
on 2009-07-25 01:51:22

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!

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy IV (Square , 1991, SNES)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Somewhere in the World..."

Tags (6)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Singing,Synth,Vocals: Female
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original
Origin > Collaboration

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_4_Somewhere_to_Hide_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
7,555,978 bytes
MD5:
d25f5e83ebd58f54156a6c6821e37890
Bitrate:
221Kbps
Duration:
4:29

Somewhere
you'll be hiding
somewhere
from me

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