 | Album Title: Miki no Mikoto Theme Song CD -HITOTOSE, YOI NO EN- |
| Record Label: Sweep Record | |
| Catalog No.: SRIN-1173 | |
| Release Date: July 24, 2020 | |
| Purchase: Buy at Sweep Record |
Overview
This release from Sweep Record features the theme song from Miki no Mikoto, a multimedia franchise spanning anime and games. Composed by Yukiko Yamamoto, it includes the game’s theme song plus an additional tune in a variety of renditions as well. Is this release worth picking up?
Body
The two main songs on the soundtrack are “Four Seasons, Evening Feast” and “Miki no Mikoto -Main Theme-.” The former blends synth pop, Japanese instrumentation, and a dance beat with a male vocal lead, sometimes in the form of a duet. The tune itself has a catchy, at times uplifting melody, and it definitely conveys a theme song aspect. This song can also be heard in a variety of other flavors, including a short version, a version performed by a different performer (Matsuno Yayoi ver.), an instrumental version, and an 8-bit version that retains the feel of the original sans vocals. The latter of the two themes is more traditionally Japanese in sound. Beautiful flute, shamisen, and percussion alongside ethereal, chanted vocals open the piece with an exquisite melody before transitioning into a jazz/funk soundscape while keeping the same instrument profile. It closes, as it opens, but with a richer sound profile and a more energetic vibe. There are also two short harp melodies found on the soundtrack. The first, “Kuzuryuu Harp (Yuu),” is calm and peaceful, while the second, “Kuzuryuu Harp (Raku),” is more joyous and uplifting.
Summary
In the end, the music on the Miki no Mikoto Theme Song CD -HITOTOSE, YOI NO EN- release is well-crafted. Overall, for the price, it features a fair amount of music, but does offer a bit less in terms of overall variety, as much of the music is shortened versions of the full songs or instrumentals without lead vocals. The release may not be for everyone, but for those looking for something a bit out of their normal listening habits, this might be worth picking up.
