Released on: 12th August 2019
Anodyne 2 is the not so spiritual sequel to the highly acclaimed and distinctly wonderful Anodyne. With the original a whimsical dark tale that followed protagonist Young in his quest towards The Briar. In Anodyne 2 we are introduced to Nova and her world. This review however is not about the game, or the story, but the accompanying score. And with a hearty sixty-nine tracks. Including a sound test and some musical sketches. The Anodyne 2 soundtrack offers more than just incidental ephemera.
Sean Han Tani returns to the world of Anodyne with the familiarity and dexterity of a witches cat. As he reintroduces melodies from the first game brushed up (A-ha! See what I did there?) with a new shine and a brighter more glittery presentation. While also expanding on many of the themes and motifs from their originals. Like magic Han Tani moves the essence of the games scenic vocabulary on a fantastic new an exciting emotional discovery. And in contrast the Anodyne 2 soundtrack is much more comprehensive than its predecessors.
Where Anodyne offered dark Pokemon inspired dungeon synth Anodyne 2 has a contemplative and wistful tone; Let us call it Zelda inspired space jazz. Where at times the soundtrack is overwhelmingly beautiful, at other times it is jarring, but always intuitive with verbose melodies. Fitting as snug as a bug on to the in-game scenes with which the pieces are intended to augment.
As a score the Anodyne 2 OST blends perfectly into its parent game. But as a stand alone album, well, it shares a lot of its sound with ambient. You could even go so far as to imply that it is quintessentially a dungeon synth album. Although with its short incidental pieces it plays more like a walled garden of music.
Flourishing through thoughtful design and inspiring colourful reinterpretation of a dry and silent place the Anodyne 2 soundtrack is a whimsical and magic endeavour self-contained in a world of wonder; A playful accessory to Anodyne 2 this score will capture hearts more than minds.
8/10
