LACED WITH WAX

We pulled together some of the most evocative snow- and winter-themed video game music from across the last 30 years of consoles, computers, and handhelds.

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Punish your brain with our selection of some of the nastiest, most disturbing cacophonies from anime, film, and video game soundtracks. You’re welcome!

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We take a look at some of the finest piano music created for, or inspired by, video games scores — from passionate in-game performances to JRPG piano collections. By Thomas Quillfeldt

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We spoke to some of the illustrators and designers that have created beautiful art for Laced Records releases: about their design philosophy, their favourite covers and gatefolds, and how they approach album artwork.

By Thomas Quillfeldt

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With the help of composers David Housden and The Flight’s Joe Henson, we tiptoe around the topic of stealth music in video games — teasing out common musical elements, and highlighting furtive favourites for skulking in the shadows. By Thomas Quillfeldt

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Many video games want players to feel hyper powerful — here are a few of the best music cues crafted especially to get the blood pumping.

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Young Gallic composer Yoann Laulan opens up about his classical influences, game jamming his way into the industry, and what it’s like to score an early access game.

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Listening to classical music can be glorious, even life-changing, but it’s a field that’s daunting to navigate. We highlight some accessible (but still brilliant) classical works that fans of video game music will love — with the help of composers Jessica Curry, Austin Wintory and Lloyd Coleman, podcaster Emily Reese, and the Videri Quartet.

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In our final Ode to Joysticks excerpts piece, we hear from the likes of Jessica Curry, PlayStation, and C64Audio.com about reimagining video game music through live performance — and how a Game Boy is actually a versatile instrument. By Thomas Quillfeldt and Ben Eshmade

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Ever sing along to a video game song? Learn the lyrics to an emotive title theme? We asked a bunch of VGM connoisseurs about their favourite original vocal tracks from games.

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We spoke to concept artist and illustrator Kellan Jett, one of the minds behind indie story-em-up Where The Water Tastes Like Wine — about the game’s aesthetic, his OST vinyl sleeve, and tips for aspiring artists. By Thomas Quillfeldt

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Depictions of hell, and similar demon dimensions, are common in video games — we delved into the depths to find some devilishly dark music that’s been used to soundtracked virtual hellscapes.

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Part 2 of our edited quotes from the Ode to Joysticks podcasts features Austin Wintory, Jesper Kyd, Eímear Noone and others musing on the value of game music in immersing players in otherworldly settings.

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We look at some of the different ways in which video game composers have soundtracked watery settings such as the high seas, underwater caves and the deep, dark abyss.

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We teased out some choice quotes from the experts interviewed in the video game music podcast series Ode to Joysticks. Part 1 explores the musical creativity of the leading ’80s chiptune composers.

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