ReMix:Ori and the Blind Forest "Branching Out to Adventure" 3:09

An exciting day as Daniel Caton officially makes his OC ReMix arranger debut! I hate to start things off on the wrong foot, as I think Daniel's either gonna hate me or think I hate him; his submission comments include a TON of emojis that ye olde database doesn't support displaying in the writeup. Rest assured, we've got them preserved in the MP3's tags, so behold them there in their full emotive glory! Praying (read: emoji hands) that Daniel's still excited to debut here. :-)

We just had ZackParrish crush it with an FF8 piece that sounded like it belonged in a movie, and now Daniel, Shea's Violin & DeLuxDolemite have fashioned an exciting, cinema-worthy revamp of Gareth Coker's Ori and the Blind Forest! Even without the emojis, Daniel's infectious energy is apparent while he functions as the hype man for himself & his merry band of collaborators:

"Yo, OverClocked ReMix peeps! Prepare yourselves for some spicy stuff, 'cause I whipped up my version of the Ori and the Blind Forest bangers! This track was my contribution to Dwelling of Duels' Silent Protagonist Month, where we slayed the music game in July 2023!

Get ready to be like, "OMG, this is lit!" 'cause "Branching Out to Adventure" is a mixtape that'll make you yeet into another dimension!

I started this epic journey with soul-stirring vibes from Shea's Violin, like a dad joke warming up the party -- cheesy but essential! Then, brace yourselves, 'cause I mashed up the dankest themes, and you'll be dabbing like an Ori spirit through sick forests and swampy quests. Shoutout to DeLuxDolemite for slaying those taiko drums, glockenspiel, and suspended cymbal vibes, taking us to the next level! And also to Shea, who lit the track on fire with her usual brand of insanely talented bowed ukulele (apparently all the cool kids call it a violin), and, this time, the cello!

I ain't no poser, fam. I'm a pro gamer who knows how to drop beats and compose. My plan was simple: capture all the feels and emotions like, "OMG, this game hits different!" I crafted an orchestral firestorm, blending in traditional and modern elements, 'cause it's like blending nature's swag with straight-up magic! And guess what? To add those extra sparkles, I brought in a rainstick, played by yours truly, to give the track that perfect atmospheric ending!

So, don't be a noob, pop on your headphones, close your peepers, and let "Branching Out to Adventure" take you on a wild ride. You're in for all the feels -- from happy dances to ugly crying, LOL!

Thanks for giving my hot mess a chance. Stay chill, fam!

P.S. My collaborators might be questioning their life choices after reading this commentary, but you know what? I live for the thrill, and no regrets here!"

No regrets, baby! And at least we know Daniel, for all the weight this impassioned piece possesses, clearly doesn't take things too seriously. On the other side of the coin, even super-serious judge MindWanderer, who normally picks our community's submissions apart, had praise -- and only praise -- to dish out:

"Great stuff. Epic orchestral with Celtic influence is trendy but for a good reason. Excellent violin and piano work, seamless integration of the themes, tons of variety, and excellent production. What's not to like?"

Feeling like something straight out of the Outlander score in some segments, this showcases an earnest mood, a driving energy, and polished performances that took judge Emunator along for the adventurous ride:

"Stunning arrangement! If you told me this was a song from the actual Ori and the Blind Forest soundtrack, I probably wouldn't bat an eye. This is close to professional grade production and orchestration that exists in the same sonic realm as the original material, but distinguishes itself with the heightened focus on strings and a seamless fusion of multiple sources. The chromatic and untuned percussion propels the arrangement forward and is perfectly balanced. [...] You nailed it. I suppose if you're going to commit to that many emojis in your submission letter, you gotta bring the heat to back it up :D"

The heat was BROUGHT throughout the arrangement thanks to enticing textures, masterful tradeoffs of the themes, and Shea & DeLuxDolemite's immersive live instruments. If you haven't nagged Gareth Coker and Bear McCreary to check this out yet, Daniel, what are you waiting for, an invitation?!? :-D