Libra of precatus Original Soundtrack
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Album Title: Libra of precatus Original Soundtrack |
| Record Label: noisycroak Records |
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| Catalog No.: NCRS-0024~5 |
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| Release Date: June 5, 2019 |
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| Purchase: Buy at Amazon |
Overview
The Libra of precatus Original Soundtrack accompanies the mobile game of the same name. Composed by noisycroak members Hideki Sakamoto, Keisuke Ito, and Ryusuke Fujioka, it provides a blend of electronic and orchestral music backdrop to a tower defense RPG. How does the latest release from noisycroak Records’ catalog turn out?
Body
The album opens with the main theme, “The Libra of Precatus,” composed by Hideki Sakamoto. It’s an exquisite tune with an extremely moving melody supported by choir, strings, brass, giving it a bit of a regal quality, and a woodwind lead. It is certainly one of the highlights of the album. It’s also present in “Seven Countries, Seven Sins,” as a melancholy piano and strings rendition. Another of Sakamoto’s highlights is “The Honor That Alike Arrogant,” a waltz with woodwind, piano, strings, and brass, giving it a whimsical and mysterious touch. The solo violin section is also hauntingly beautiful. The atmosphere is absolutely exquisite. Sakamoto’s “We Thirst for Victory,” is a mysterious strings and brass oriented theme that gives off a feeling of tension. The result is a bit cliche, but is a serviceable tune nonetheless. “Heartlessness” also gives off a sense of tension and features a timpani percussion supported by a range of instrument families and harp. However, due to its erratic flow, doesn’t really make as good of an impression. Delicate in nature is “Snowed Under,” blending strings, woodwinds, and piano to give off an icy feeling at times while warm at others, particularly during the somber solo violin section. Another wonderful tune is “A Dazzling Game,” featuring an orchestral pops sound and a jazz influence in its approach. The use of woodwinds gives it an airy quality while the overall feel of the tune is quite playful. In many ways, it is reminiscent of a sound one might here in Gravity Rush.
There are also some action oriented tunes on the soundtrack. “Raise Your Justice” certainly has a quality similar to the types of compositions Masashi Hamauzu conjures up for his soundtracks. It’s an invigorating tune with a brass and strings focused melody supported by piano and percussion. Likewise, “Truthseeker” blends piano, strings, percussion, and electronic elements to give it an exhilarating sound, while also retaining some Hamauzu-esque elements. “Justice Against Justice” is a dramatic orchestral tune with electronic accompaniment, resulting in a tune that gives off a sense of urgency, but is balanced by a piano melody that gives it a brighter touch. “The March of Griffons” blends jazzy piano, electronic and rock elements, alonside synthesizer. It’s not the most melodically focused piece at times, but the piano parts are extremely fun and the end result is energetic. One of the most standout tunes, both in terms of melody and execution, is “Loyalty and Treachery,” a rock/electronic/orchestral hybrid that just exudes classic JRPG sounds, but for a modern palette. The drumming is super intense and has a metal influence while the combination of guitar and strings moves the melody at a faster pace. Also of note is the delicate piano and strings section that help breaks the tension. It’s an absolutely wonderful tune. Meanwhile, “The Old Corruption” is a more typical orchestral tune with a prominent focus on brass and piano that portrays a real sense of tension and is rather dark. Lastly, “The End of Revolution” blends choir and orchestra for a fitting final battle. Tense and dramatic, the use of organ and piano, done in a more classical style, adds an element of refinement to what would otherwise be a well-crafted, although more typical, use of orchestra and choir.
There also various miscellaneous tunes on the soundtrack. “Across the Border” has an adventurous tone with choral pads, warm piano and strings, with some electronic elements and percussion mixed into the tune. The end result is a varied listen, but one that works quite well. “The Historical Library” is another solid tune featuring piano and cello. It has a Hamauzu-esque atmosphere, but the melody, as well as the solo violin, really create an exquisite listen. Soundscapes become quite varied with “Peaceful Days,” a jazzy piano tune with light percussion, and “Lively Town,” a tropical, samba-like tune with jovial strings. Both of these tunes are decent, but don’t live up to the same standard as other tunes. Another jazzy tune is “Our Separate Ways,” a moody romantic tune consisting primarily of percussion, piano, and strings. The album ends with two themes, “Even Then, You Will Go,” and “From the Tower of Precatus.” The former is a pop tune through and through with piano, drum pads, and electronic accompaniment. The melody itself is quite peppy with a wonderful mix of sounds and the crystalline synth helps sell the pop vibe even more. The latter is also a pop tune, this one featuring bass guitar, a piano-led melody, and electronic accompaniment. There is a bit more funk in this one and the main theme is referenced in this tune. However, as enjoyable as these themes are, they both feel very out of place on the soundtrack, given the soundscape of the majority of the soundtrack.
Summary
The Libra of precatus Original Soundtrack is a pretty enjoyable listen. It features a mix of soundscapes and styles and generally fits with one another. Some of the music borrows a bit of the soundscape that Masashi Hamauzu is known for, making the soundtrack feel a bit less original, but the melodies crafted by Keisuke Ito, Hideki Sakamoto, and Ryusuke Fujioka help bring the world of Libra of precatus to life. Fans of these composers’ works will certainly find something to enjoy from this mobile soundtrack.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
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Posted on October 9, 2019 by Don Kotowski. Last modified on October 9, 2019.
About the Author
Don Kotowski Currently residing in Philadelphia. I spend my days working in vaccine characterization and dedicate some of my spare time in the evening to the vast world of video game music, both reviewing soundtracks as well as maintaining relationships with composers overseas in Europe and in Japan.
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