Style: Video game music, ambient
Primary Emotions/Themes: Lost in a future where the uncanny valley is closer than we ever could have imagined
Thoughts: Science fiction is one of the most diverse genres imaginable. It contains some of the very best stories told both visually, through the written word, and even musically.
Encodya is a soundtrack to a game that I have never played. I feel that is an important distinction to make, because I rarely get soundtracks to games that I have not played. Despite this, Encodya has been in a mainstay in my collection since it was released, it feels more like an album than it does a soundtrack.
Like the very best music based in science fiction, the music contains a mix of electronic elements as well as acoustic instrumentation. The opening track for instance balances the gentle tones of a saxophone with the heavily reverbed and distorted sounds of a piano. These two instruments paint a picture of a city far in the future that has millions of mysteries strewn about in it - we only need explore to find some of them.
The slow pace of the album continues as the contents of the record are laid out to my ears. The combination of acoustic and electronic elements remain at a minimal level throughout, encouraging the listener to dig deep into the depths of the music to find the smaller details. It makes for a highly rewarding listen.
When I looked at the game I didn't think that the art style fit with what I wanted out of a game so I passed. Regardless of how the game looks the soundtrack is an indispensable part of my collection.
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