SQEX-10189~90: NieR Gestalt & Replicant Original Soundtrack

[_if]

I would say compositional substance and production/performance/arrangement/etc. substance can be two different things. I haven't heard even a snippet of this soundtrack so I have no opinion about it, but I've read it has a very distinctive sound or tone. Those things are not inherently tied into composition as they can be brought about through means like effects such as reverb, playing piano instead of forte, using a cello instead of a baritone saxophone or something, or choosing a singer with a smooth tone of voice rather than the guy from Pantera. My understanding of TerraEpon's statement is that it's got a nice mood and very pretty dressing on what are rather mundane tunes at the level of writing because they rely heavily on one not especially creative idea.

However, I wouldn't agree with his earlier statement that vocals are part of the composition as the melody sung could have been assigned to something else instead, therefore I'd call it arrangement, so my interpretation could be wrong. I still totally understand something having no compositional substance but still being good ear candy. Often that's where guilty pleasures come from.