Gonna throw six soundtracks out there this year, obviously only the first three are eligible for points. Solid year but I will admit to it not wowing me as much as previous years. I also expect a ton of typos in here as I'm using some struggle word processor that lacks a spell checking luxury.
1. Paper Mario: Colour Splash
Not since Galaxy 2 have I enjoyed a Mario series OST as much as this one, in that respect it was rather unexpected, I was originally clued into its musical potential in a pre release thread where all around good gaffer Maxcriden linked to the Sunglow Ridge theme which in turn made me think "I should give this game a shot".
Paper Mario games in the days before the controversial NPC Toad surplus tended to have their own rather unique soundstyle that gradually got odder as it went culminating in the kinda crazy at times Super Paper Mario OST. In a way it seems Sticker Star (which I'm only getting around to right now) reeled things in a bit but with the addition of live instrumentation and a jazzier tone. Colour Splash continues the various trends Sticker Star started across the board and this includes the soundtrack style.
I'm left thinking that what we got here is the quintessential Mario adventure game soundtrack factoring in the likes of the various M&L games, SMRPG and of course the previous Paper outings.
Battle with Ludwig: Continuing to confirm his status as best Koopaling Ludwig gets one of the best boss themes in a game full of great boss themes, Lemmy may have him beat on the music front here mind you but there's a reason I've yet to tackle that on. Back to Ludwig, despite his namesake and hairstyle being based on a classical composer his boss theme is anything but, a rather peppy battle theme that I swear has some Ska like influences going on, sounds kinda odd when you hear the plinky plonky marimbas and steel drums lurking in the background every now and then for something that's got that whole boss thing going on, odd in a good way of course!
Mossrock Theatre: Okay so there's this terrific trifecta of circus themes built off the same melody in here, starting with the more subdued Mossrock theatre, building up to greater grandeur fitting of a big top for the
Emerald Circus and then culminating in its
boss battle version for Lemmy Koopa who finally finds his calling with all that bouncy ball riding he's done in this franchise over the years. It's fun just hearing how the bombasticness of the recurring theme escalates after its simpler beginnings.
Shy Bandit Battle: Shy Guy vocals, AT LAST
Violet Isles: The most goofy arse pirate style theme I've heard in some time, one of the tracks that really feels more classic Paper Mario.....HO!
2. Street Fighter V
Legacy can be a bit of an issue when it comes to a SF soundtrack these days, I imagine most people expect the classic characters with their classic themes and initially I thought this may have been the reason that the music in SF4 may have missed the mark, its new themes while servicable lurked in the shadows of the many remixes of the past. In reality though I guess it just wasn't that great with only a scant few tracks like Volcanic Rim and the so cheesy it's perversely enjoyable Indestructable sticking out.
At first glance SF5 looks like it could also end up using the classic character themes as a crutch with its initial cast of characters, instead though we get a best of both worlds situation where the remixes are some of the best interpretations to date and the various new tracks from new challengers to stage specific themes go for it and dare to stand proud alongside the beloved musical mainstays.There's an energy in SF5 that 4 lacked, the greater stylistic variety certainly helps a ton. This OST being one of the increasing number of game soundtracks that will only increase in volume over the years beyond 2016 so who knows what surprises it still has in store.
F.A.N.G's Theme:
Holy shit this is a track that on paper sounds like a mess but is goddamn amazing, potentially my number 1 this year. Starts off like Bossa Nova Elevator music that explodes into this funked out trance like theme that just never lets up. Good thing you can hear it all in the two minutes F.A.N.G promises to beat you in, well except I suck playing as him.
Bustling Side Street Round 1: A nice little detail I dig in this OST is stage themes having variations between round 1 and 2, alas that means that you often don't get enough time to dig into some of the round 1 tracks and I really dig when the vocal chant like touch is added to this theme close to a minute in. A basic track that has perfect fighting energy, works well as what could be considered the game's first battle theme.
Balrog's Theme: Someone earlier in the thread seemed to indicate that this game having two takes on the SNES themes for both Balrog and Guile as a bad thing, well you can never have enough of the best character themes from SF2! Having two also allows them to experiment a bit more, while High Roller Casino sticks more to the classic style Balrog himself gets given a take on his theme with the extra touch of menace it warrants.
Laura's Theme: Hillside Plaza round 2 is the track I know a lot of people would rather be Laura's actual theme, this one here certainly garners something of a mixed reaction to be sure. For me personally though I think the energetic festival vibe going here fits Laura perfectly. And then towards the end it just goes into something reminiscent to me of Sega's musical output, I'm talking some Sonic Adventure style jamming here.
3. Furi
You know, considering the love the Hotline Miami soundtacks get I'm surprised more aren't talking about the similar synth fuelled Furi and its 80's nostagia kick. Themes often fall comfortably into two categories, music for slow walking towards the next boss and music for fucking up said boss. Bringing together a host of various artists, I think the music this time around by the likes of say Scattle may have been made for the game as opposed to plucked from their existing musical library ala Hotline Miami but don't trust me on that.
A Picture in Motion: A perfect usage of pre boss fight as the theme escalates in time with you drawing closer to the destination of the next battle layering in more channels on top of a basic theme that burrows its way into your ears.
Make this Right: This is actually one of the boss themes despite not getting as high octane as others until much further in, it has a more sombre tone than most in here due to the nature of the encounter.
My Only Chance: Another Toxic Avenger track and it really hits when you hear it in game, great credits theme with an otherworldly vibe.
4. Fire Emblem Fates
I'm kind of stuck of what to say here that hasn't been well covered already in this thread (I actually didn't realise this soundtrack was as liked as it was). The distinction between Nohr's Celtic style themes and Hoshido's traditional Japanese instrumentation is a well worn woad, as it the variations on the game's central lyrical theme Lost in Thoughts All Alone. So I'll just half arse this one.
Dusk Falls: Pretty much an encapsulation of everything the Nohr themes go for, not nearly enough bagpipes in my game soundtracks.
Alight (storm): The intro to this track is some hyyyypeeee stuff.
Dance in the Dark: In general the out of battle themes can fall into a kind of safe fitting filler theme to match story events and character conversations, this one here is one of the stronger ones I find gets its head above the water.
5. Pokemon Sun & Moon
Let me preface this with saying that coming off the Gen 5 soundtracks the 6th generation of Pokemon titles dropped the ball. So Sun/Moon represents a nice recovery, though I do find a number of themes related to routes and towns still a touch standard fare that ultimately holds back the OST (oddly it doesn't quite go as all in on the Hawaiann themes as you may expect). The Battle themes this time around though? hot damn, they are firing on all cylinders.
Guardian Deity/Tapu Battle Theme: A successful combination of sounding suitably formidable and rather Tribal as well, one of the most unique battle themes the series has seen.
Island Kahuna Battle Theme: One of those tracks that pulls off a tone switch, starting off like a Kaiju battle is about to take place or wrestler Somoa Joe just made his entrance (on that note, Alola Joe is a great name for the heel pokemon Incineroar) to shifting to an upbeat "you can do it!" theme.
Battle at the Summit: The perfect champion battle theme, its callback to the series main theme to kick things off, the triumphant energy it exudes, it all fits the particular circumstances of the battle and opponent, especially when you factor in that this is the founding of a new league.
The point from 55 seconds is freakin' glorious all the way to the looping point.
6. Shantae Half Genie Hero
Lastly here's another solid yet not quite spectacular musical outing for Jake Kaufman continuing his work on the Shantae series.
The usual energetic flair that has Kaufman's distinct sound is afoot sounding parts retro and parts modern. New catchy beats and some staple remixes, it's probably the best OST the series has had to date but still finds itself bonking against the glass ceiling.
Counterfeit Mermaids/Mermaid Factory: This track in particular could've fallen straight out of The Mighty Switch Force duo which is more than fine by me.
Tassle Town: It's quite refreshing to get a Desert theme that doesn't sound like it's approaching the theme in the usual way the trope is tackled, smooth.
Hypno Baron's Castle: Continuing a trend where I shove vague musical terms in from of vania to imply "it's like Castlevania but..." here comes technovania!
No LttP OST this year, I barely played anything old for a change and what I did lacked the musical punch.
