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Shin Megami Tensei Persona 4 Soundtrack Selection (Europe) :: Review by Calvin
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Album Title: | Shin Megami Tensei Persona 4 Soundtrack Selection (Europe) |
| Record Label: | Square Enix | |
| Catalog No.: | Promotional | |
| Release Date: | March 13, 2009 | |
| Purchase: | Buy at eBay |
Overview
Shoji Meguro's Persona 4 soundtrack is one of his definitive masterpieces. It is an outstanding and prominent example of how a video game musician can develop his musical style. However, with four soundtrack releases to its name, it can be a little difficult to decide which to go for. The Shin Megami Tensei Persona 4 Soundtrack Selection was included with the PAL release of the game that is identical to the American game enclosure. It is a one disc soundtrack that features 24 of the best tracks from the game. Fortunately, most of the highlights from the commercial two disc import soundtrack made it...
Body
Persona 4 opens with theme song titled "Pursuing My True Self". It's quick-beat hip-hop music with occasional grooves that only lasts a minute. However, it is catchy enough to make you listen it again and again. "Glimpse of a Memory" is the dramatic main theme for Persona 4 that is reused several times in the album, but is only found in its full form at the conclusion. Many parts of the albums are filled with happy-go-lucky music. The overworld themes are unique because they are vocal tracks, but uniquely not repetitive. "Your Affection" is probably my favourite vocal track on the entire album; this hip-hop and jazz infused song is full of optimism and heroism that is simply heartwarming. It's beautiful enough to put it on loop for hours.
A discussion about Meguro is never complete without talking about his trademark: hot battle music. If you are bored to death with "Mass Destruction" in Persona 3, fear not as the battle music in Persona 4 is much better and more timeless. "Reach Out To The Truth" is one of the most awesome rocking themes in this album. It opens with Engrish rapping, nonstop guitar work, and a powerful beat. The heroic lyrics and riffs make it very enjoyable but it's nonetheless great battle music in context too. In comparison, "The Almighty" is a much more intense and slow-building rock and orchestral theme for the final boss. I was disappointed that a few other battle themes didn't make it, such as "The Fog" and "The Genesis", but it's a decent sampler nonetheless.
And finally, we come to the beautiful ending theme "Never More". A reprise of the main theme, it's a bittersweet song sung beautifully by Shihoco Hirata. If you listen the music while reading the lyrics, you will be surprised by how they intersynch so wonderfully. This song is very satisfying and will remind listeners of the similarly sad Persona 3 Fes ending theme. A minor complaint is that it's really strange that Meguro put a filler piece before the ending theme. I think it would have been much better if the ending theme were put after the last track, a retro arranged track of "Velvet Room". It's kind of out of place where it stands and I always skip it since it ruins the overall mood of the album and isn't as enjoyable as the original.
Summary
The Persona 4 soundtrack is definitely a must-listen. Most of the tracks are easy to listen to and heartwarming so I think most people will enjoy the album regardless of whether they have played the game. Shoji Meguro has incredibly improved his style since Persona 3 and the score is definitely worth calling a masterpiece. In terms of which release to go for, the Shin Megami Tensei Persona 4 Soundtrack Selection and its American equivalent is ideal for those looking for the major highlights, since it's an incredibly good one disc compilation. However, it'll be necessary to import the full score if you're a completist.
