Chroma (Game Ver.)
The opening theme! Vocals are undertaken by Riya of Eufonius, together with Ceui, who sang the grand ending theme of the previous title. Featuring the gimmick of playing two tracks simultaneously, this song led to me being accused of being a pervert again by the bassist, HIROTOMO. Miyoshi is on guitar, while the violin is played by Mukoyama. (Yano)
Chroma
Sound director Saito fired an arrow at us affixed with a remarkably original request: to come up with something that suggests that two people heard the same song, but remembered the melody differently. That’s a lie. There was no arrow. The request was verbal. I responded by suggesting that we play the two tracks simultaneously, which was a nice idea, but a lot harder to put into practice. To say this took plenty of trial and error would be an understatement. (Yano)
Canvas
One half of "Chroma", Lydie’s song, sung by Riya, featuring a grand, solemn arrangement centered around strings, piano and orchestral percussion. The lyrics are also more restrained, with a more logical and intellectual feel than those of the emotional and active Suelle. The backing vocals are sung in pure neologism, created by Riya herself – what is commonly known as Riya-ese. (Yano)
Painting
The other half of "Chroma," sung by Ceui and representing Suelle, featuring a simple guitar, drum and bass arrangement, with the lighter touches added by electric piano and violin. By comparison to the restraint of Lydie’s half, the lyrics feature dynamic, emotive and intuitive phrases like "set off running" and "do what the heart desires." There is also a lot more vigorous vertical movement in the melody line. (Yano)
Song of Paintbrushes and Hope
For the ending theme, I invited Anri Kumaki to come sing for us. Figuring that the series’ twentieth anniversary is as good a time as any to try new things, I made a conscious effort this time to get as many new vocalists to the series as I could. They were all wonderful, and I felt very privileged every time I recorded there voices. HIROTOMO is on bass, Miyoshi on guitar, and Mukoyama on violin. (Yano)
Masterpiece! (Game Ver.)
For the avant-opening theme, we asked Haruka Shimotsuki and Mineko Yamamoto, two integral pillars of the Atelier series soundtracks, to provide the vocals. While the song was originally conceived of as a solo vocal track, I convinced sound director Saito to let me do things this way (lol). HIROTOMO is on bass, Miyoshi on guitar, and Mukoyama on violin. (Yano)
Masterpiece!
We were instructed by Mr. Jin, the scenario writer, to make this sound like an anime opening theme song. Just the other day, I attended the concert commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the Atelier series, and I saw just how excited the crowd was when Haruka Shimotsuki and Mineko Yamamoto were singing. I thought then that I’d love to write a song like that, so I really thought about the live performance aspect when I wrote this. (Yano)
Prism (Game Ver.)
The title, "Prism," is meant to suggest something that, with a little effort, can turn a single thing into a wide range of varied possibilities. It also relates to the central theme of colors, trying in nicely to the image of the mysterious paintings. I’m quite proud of it. (Achiwa)
Prism
This is a featured in-title track, with Mami Yanagi on vocals, and Dani on guitar and bass. We have been privileged to have these two talented musicians perform several numbers in past titles as well. For the title, my first impression when I saw the character designs of the protagonists was that they looked like baby birds, so the image I had for this track was of baby birds learning to fly and leaving the nest for the unknown. (Achiwa)
To My Unborn Child (Game Ver.)
Another featured track, which plays during the family trip event. Aoi Tada is on vocals. The sound director asked us for something with lyrics from the point of view of the mother, so we decided to do that here… Little did we know that Aoi Tada herself was due to give birth just after the recording! (Yano)
To My Unborn Child
I’ve written a lot of lyrics in my career, but this was the first time I’d ever tried to write them from the point of view of an expectant mother… I have to admit it was a difficult birth… If you know what I mean. Aoi Tada entered the recording booth together with her own unborn child. I remember fondly her commenting to me that the two of them had recorded this song together. (Yano)
Colors (Game Ver.)
This track features vocals by Chata, Dani on guitar and bass, and Ono on violin. It’s a smooth number, neither powerful or particularly emotionally stirring. It should match the voice work in-game in a way that isn’t jarring in the least. Actually, it’s quite hard to find in the game, so I have to express particular gratitude to those who managed to hear it for playing all the way to the end. (Yanagawa)
Colors
The first verse is from father to child. The second is from the father to the whole family. I tried to switch the lyrical focus subtly in this manner. The second verse onwards doesn’t actually play in-game, so I was able to let loose and be more flamboyant with the arrangement. I hope this is the kind of song you can listen to after clearing the game, and fondly remember your favorite scenes. (Yanagawa)
Beyond the Fate (Game Ver.)
Hello, my name is Odaka. This track has a very distinct story and dynamism, representing the transition from a world dominated by darkness and black, filled with despair, to one emblazoned with the bright stripes of hope, dreams and peace. The clean, clear vocals and the track’s sound, calling to mind the rapidly changing emotions of the story cape, serve to draw the listener into the story of the game. (Odaka)
Beyond the Fate
The alluring clarity of Hiromi Kajiwara’s vocals and the rapid changes in the track’s sound represent the power of courage, conviction and love to overcome fate itself and bring dreams to fruition. This is an expression not so much of the concept that good things come to those who wait, but that good things come to those who claim them for themselves. (Odaka)
Filling the Shade (Game Ver.)
The soundtrack for the final boss fight! It’s the first time I’ve ever written one of these. Vocals are provided by Anna Okazaki! I made a conscious effort throughout the title to reduce the amount of electric guitar used, and this track is no exception. In its place, to represent the image of the worlds within the paintings, synthesizers are used more frequently. HIROTOMO is on bass, TAM on violin, and SI. V on guitar. (Yano)
Filling the Shade
Along with the motif from the main theme of this title, this track also features the motifs of battle tracks from the two previous titles in the series. I wonder if anyone noticed that? Thank you so much for playing the game to the very end. It proved a challenging title musically in many different ways, but I hope you enjoyed it. I am very much looking forward to meeting you all again someday, somewhere! (Yano)
Jan 6, 2018, 05:08 AM
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