Music Producer Reacts: FF XIV SHADOWBRINGERS Main Theme
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- čas přidán 21. 01. 2020
- My Reaction / Analysis of FINAL FANTASY XIV SHADOWBRINGERS's main theme / trailer theme, as a professional Music Producer: literally the video no one asked for but that I feel like talking about, because it's legendary.
- Buy FINAL FANTASY XIV SHADOWBRINGERS's OST: store.na.square-enix-games.co...
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Game: FINAL FANTASY XIV: SHADOWBRINGERS
Vocals: Jason Charles Miller (@Jason Charles Miller) - Hudba
The singer of the male vocal is actually J.C. Miller, he's the VA of Raubahn during ARR.
My bad! It sounded so similar to the guy from The Primals.
PS. Wait. JC Miller is also the same guy behind Rules Of Nature. What a legend.
@@AlexMoukalaMusic To expand on that, JC Miller does the "main" vocal that comes in second; the whispered 'background' vocals are actually Soken himself.
@@Silverias TIL! I had no idea. What a guy. O:
He’s also the composer for the main themes for Critical Role.
@@Driahva He is the guitar player/backing vocals for the PRIMALS band as well. The lead singer is one of the main English localization people for the game as well. Its why PRIMALS doesn't really do much touring like a normal band, because they are very busy with their day jobs working on the game.
My favorite story about Soken and the mind blowing number of songs he's composed for FF14 is (paraphrased):
Soken: *listens to a certain track in the game* Oh, this song is great. Who made it?
SE staff: You did.
Soken: WUT
And to think he got his start making music for "Mario Hoops: 3 on 3" on the DS.
This is the best comment on this video.
lol, it's hilarious if it turns out to be true XD
I believe it. During one of the producer letter livestreams they took a question asking for the lyrics in the RakTika Greatwood zone. Soken said they couldn't provide lyrics because he didn't know them.
If the FFXIV soundtracks are Soken in full-on spoon mode, I shudder to think what he could write if he _really_ got super-duper serious.
Oh fuck I didn't even realize how, once the sky is split and the night sky can be seen, *the vocals become clear.*
Im still shocked this game didnt win best soundtrack on The Game Awards.
Agreed, it deserves more accolades in general, but I think it's only because Paid MMO games are still a very "small" niche compared to mainstream gaming.
@@AlexMoukalaMusic yep it's true, this game is not only paid though, it's also the subscription game like WoW
so in quantity this game lose to mainstreams (votes)
but in quality this game never dissapoints, i always see people who enjoys story, music, worlds in a game will probably love this game
this game has everything about those and also the PVE is too good for PVE people
and those people seems to enjoy it until now, because i was one of those people
at first i was scared of subs based games, but i'm glad i did tried it
Player's Voice is really the only category that matters anyway. Everything else is kind of arbitrary and to be taken with a grain of salt.
That's because "industry insiders" voted. It's basically a circle jerk and Asian games are almost always dicked at TGA
What won? Fortnite? Lol...
The fact that he's a fanboy makes this so much better. The music is fantastic but understanding what is going on with the visuals makes this a masterpiece
"If you have played the game you know exactly what is going on."
Uhh... Yeah... I do... *sweating intensifies.*
true :D
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
*sobbing
He said if you *haven't* played the game! And I think he is talking about the shot at the start, how it's panning across this grim battlefield and the track really reflects that.
It's free to play up through the first expansion Heavenward, which is a pretty huge amount of content. Community is great and friendly for new players. If you don't like after Heavenward it's probably not for you.
Cannot even listening to the music without tearing up anymore.
When I beat Shadowbringers and launch, I literally spent 20 minutes trying to take my jaw off the floor. This song fits so well it still blows me away.
When the song kicks in during that final fight, and you see your party members? Fucking chills. I actually screamed out of pure hype, like my entire FFXIV "career" was building up to that moment. Something you see happen many times before suddenly has a new meaning. Genius. Shadowbringers is god tier.
@@artuno1207 Yup. This. Pretty sure I punched the air.
@@artuno1207 For me, Its when he literally summons other heroes that gave me fucking chills! An amazing way to lead up to that final fight!
goosebumbs from the dungeon since today
@@artuno1207 i remember it well still. goosembumps than i stood up in excitement with a big goofy smile on my face. I did the whole fight standing up after that, way too pumped to sit down.
Y'know, in regards to Shadowbringers, I don't think you can call that melody a leitmotif.
In this case, it's more of a... darkmotif.
Get Out.
@@CryoJnik Get it? "One brings shadow, one brings the leit?"
@@sleepykuya2955 Yes...I got it. I'm mainly upset because I didnt think of it
Lati-Motif?
@@bswift1991 Lahee-Motif?
This song makes my eyes water, for reasons I cannot explain. It attacks all of my senses in such a crazy way. Its not a sad watering, just shivers. It makes me emotional as fuck.
The song tells a story. The first minute, with the singular voice, embodies despair at a ruined world. She's asking for a savior, pleading for someone to step forward. The somber strings reinforce her sorrow, and the reverb gives an echoing feel, like her voice is rolling across an empty dead plain. Ste strings start up, bringing forward the leitmotif introduced, but it's heavily distorted. A hero has stepped forward, but he can't defeat the enemy made of light, while he himself is the champion of light. Around 3:18 the rest of the band starts up, and it's clear, but still distorted. The hero fights the avatar of light. The leitmotif is echoed through, and the angry distorted guitar riff echoes the intensity of their hatred for the other, the intensity of battle. It shifts, and the chorus strikes up - it's the souls that will perish if the hero fails, AND the souls of the citizens of Amaurot, both cheering their respective champion on. The whispered verse is repeated, but now it's clear and in focus - our champion has found the Darkness within, and channels it to fight his foe. A brief interlude, introducing a new piece, but still backed by that leitmotif; it's peace and harmony shows us the people our champion is fighting to save.The last 45 seconds is our hero, triumphant, with the chorus of the multitudes he has given salvation to. One last use of the leitmotif, and then a slight distortion showing the duality of our hero, hoisting the light and the dark.
Not a music producer, just an audiophile and former band groupie, and writer.
*Small spoiler alert!*
The final verses actually are actually conveying two perspectives: one with the current journey of the WoL, one providing historic context of the Amaurotians.
Right after 'We fall unto the end'
Amaurotians: 'One world's end'
WoL: 'The end'
Amaurotians: 'Our world's end'
WoL: 'The end, our end'
Amaurotians: 'And we end'
WoL: 'We won't end'
Just a small tidbit that gets me every time. :)
Aside from the rich and epic aspects of this song, it continues to impress as it's more than one song compiled into one song, including [Eternal Wind]. :D
ChibiPanda Yes. That is what the lyrics say.
Let's not forget Tomorrow and tomorrow. Its literally about Emet-Selch/the Ascians and The WoL
DUDE holy crap imagining the choir as the people of Amorout literally made me burst into tears
The choir part makes much more sense now after finishing 5.3 main quests.
That line when Albert and the WoL/WoD join together and say "Our Story" with Albert's voice. I actually teared up. It was so perfect, I really can't think of any better way it could have gone.
"I can totally see him scoring the next AAA Final Fantasy game" confirmed, he is scoring FFXVI :D
I came here to mention this. Alex is a prophet!
Same.
I love a lot of the music in FFXIV, but the Shadowbringers main theme has to be my favorite to date. Every time I listen to it I get chills, the progression is just so perfect and every element comes together wonderfully. It not only gives a sense of what kind of world we're about to enter, but it also makes you feel like the stakes are far higher than it's ever been in previous expansions. Soken is a genius and the whole of Shadowbringers is masterfully written to compliment the epic music and tone. If you don't play FFXIV, I highly recommend it if you love good stories and soul lifting music. Thanks for a great analysis!
still getting goose bumps after hearing it 100 times. SO AWESOME
Lots of ECHO you say? hehe, almost sounds like they did that on purpose.
NICE :D
Actually, the cd version is even better.
The ridiculous amount of times I have heard this song, and it NEVER gets old.
I want to play FF XIV now, the intro gave me John Williams levels of chills, by the way, keep up the great work, your job deserves more recognition
If you decide to play, definitely don't skip any of the main story cutscenes. 2.X goes slow and the voice acting isn't all that great in the beginning, that 2.X ending cutscene sequence is excellent and really sets the mood and story base for not only Heavensward but also Stormblood. Also doing the 2.X Crystal Tower quest line is so important to get the most out of the 5.X story. Have fun :D!
@@anydaynow01 thanks
@@vinhoverde3843 ya def worth a look. in 5.3 they do plan on revamping the ARR story to be more stream line and engaging. so if u willing to wait for that, that is a possibility too.
Agreed. Don't skip through anything. Yes the first bit is slow, but in heavensward it picks up nicely. Stormblood was tedious for me, but I'm not super into political storylines.. shadowbringers tho....... that was worth the grind. By far my favorite xpac. And the music!!! 😍😍😍😍😍
Azazura Azura interesting. I hope they don't cut stuff. One of the things I really love about 14 compared to wow is that you can start as a brand new player today and not missing any main story stuff.
Can't stop smiling seeing someone explains how and why this music track is so great.
For me myself I love the track from the start, and once I realized or notice where you pointed out... I feel even more... like.. appreciated to the music itself.
This is fricking awesome man, thank you for making this.
Anyone else still pissed this sound track didn't take gold in game awards? Also whenever I get off at work and head home to game I chant "home riding home" when I pull out of the parking lot.
I'd love to know your thoughts on "Tomorrow and Tomorrow" which seems to be Shadowbringers' version of "Answers", "Dragonsong" and "Revolutions"!
Some of my favorites in there! I didn't think people may be interested because they're quite old already, but maybe I'll do it!
Tomorrow and Tomorrow is heartbreaking, not just the song itself but it makes you wonder if things would have been different had Emet heard it. Furthermore, it makes us all realize his tragic mistake-he went through so much to do exactly what the people he cared about didn’t want.
I second that, I really want to know your thoughts on Tomorrow and Tomorrow !
@@AlexMoukalaMusic Please do! I'd love to hear your thoughts on those. Especially the Heavensward soundtrack...
I love those tracks. Dragonsong still moves me every time I hear it play on my Orchestrion!
I haven't even played FFXIV and I get goosebumps listening to this. I love it!
Yes! The Heavensward (I believe that's the actual name of the track) motif does come up again here. I hadn't noticed. Did you notice the light motif from the ARR track Maker's Ruin that is used in Ardbert's music More Than Truth? It's the track we hear during the Ultima Weapon fight during the MSQ. I think this motif is used in other places as well. I'd have to look into it but it stood out to me in More Than Truth.
I did!
I love that arrangement, it made all the Ardbert scenes even more emotional for me.
The theme from akadaemia anyder is a remixed jazzy version of the Ascian theme :D
It was also used for Omega in Stormblood too with the two tracks from Alphascape V4.0 (Savage)
For all intents and purposes, MR is the WoL's own theme, so it's an early hint as to Ardbert's fate.
Despite the countless EX runs hearing this over and over, I still get hype each time I run the EX.
Review LA HEE pls
Haha, great idea!
Alex Moukala Music yay, we’re looking forward to it
Now you have Ebola
La hee
@@AlexMoukalaMusic I think the actual track name is Civilization
Fantastic analysis my dude, earned yourself a sub. I'd also like to add on how well the theme emotionally matches what we're seeing during the trailer. Starting with quiet and sombre in a blackened and death-filled warzone, the whispering male vocals along with the strumming and base gives that gritty feeling as you pointed out, almost like a weighty/burdening tone. Then the second male vocals bring up a hype as you're fighting back and rebelling against that oppression and hopelessness. The male choir/chant and lyrics follow that with a sound of longing, being done with the suffering and just wanting things to be over and to live a life in safety and health. Eternal Wind brings the tone back up then, a melody of happiness, safety and just an all around soothing tune, something the location on screen intends to be.
Of course this is all just from a personal pov but that a track was able to invoke such a wide array of emotions that connected so well speaks volumes of Soken's skill.
I wouldn't even say its personal opinion - I think you're bang on the money factually. This trailer was a mastercraft in how to twine a theme song with an epic visual story.
When this kicks in during the after Amarout scene, before the final trial - The song lines up PERFECTLY with the emotion of the scene. The male choir kicking in as you make "I Challenge you" choice kicks in EXACTLY as it zooms in on your face - Its a mastercraft in heightening dramatic effect with music.
The final questline is a god damn spectacle and honestly some of the most amazing video production/cinematogrophy/storytelling ive ever seen in my life.
One thing to note that I didn't get while listening to this, I realized the lyric for the song was actually a spoiler. Technically the answer was in front of us the whole time.
H Koizumi “ One brings shadow one brings the light, two toned echoes tumbling through tine” and the later lyrics when the music speeds up, yes, it is so amazing that these lyrics tell the story almost word for word
Didnt they do that with heavensward too?
xsirenflyx Haa. I just went on this whole explanation of how and why I hated Dragonsong ( the only one I haven’t adored) and then realized that Heavansward is a different song. I don’t know those lyrics. I’ll have to look it up.
@@memyself6659 my bad, dragonsong is the one I'm talking about, I was referencing the expac itself....also how can you hate dragonsong, have you no heart!?
@@memyself6659 What on Earth could drive a person to hate Dragonsong?!
I love the main theme of this addon and I am always amazed how many good tracks they he gets out of one idea... FF XIV is one of my most favorite soundtracks of all time, especially shadowbringers.
Dude the way you explain the bits that you find cool is really clear and commendable. I dont have a great musical ear in that I cant pick this kinda stuff apart but you make it really easy for me to identify the bits you're pointing out and it really enhances my appreciation and ability to enjoy these pieces :)) cool stuff
I've listened to this song SO MANY times and the goosebumps are still very much there every single time!!
This popped up in my recommendeds, very entertaining and interesting even for someone with no real musical knowledge. Will definitely check your other stuff out!
As a player of Final Fantasy XIV I am consistently amazed by Sokens range and output - it is insane! But the Shadowbringers soundtrack has been top notch, as much as I enjoyed previous expansions, this one blew me away.
My favoriate part of this track is the transition into Eternal Wind
Soken and his team has made a bunch of modern arrangements of FF3 themes over the years and it's really made me appreciate how good Nobuo is at crafting melodies even back then. 3 still has some of the loveliest tunes in the entire franchise.
@@Druidlover Crystal Tower is my favorite of all the ones they made. But regardless, it's always cool to hear tracks from other FF games re-made for XIV!
@@AlexMoukalaMusic The whole series of redone songs from Lab of the Ancients to world of darkness. The Cloud of Darkness still gives me chills
I love that the transition into Eternal Wind comes as they are showing of the Crystarium. I would have never personally recognized the transition, but having it pointed out, it makes a *ton* more sense.
That choir man, it just makes me tear up everytime. It's so well introduced. Beautiful.
I never noticed the motif connection between Heavensward and Shadowbringers, holy cow.
Him: "It sounds DARK"
Me: "No, it sounds LIGHT"
Thank you for the video my friend! I'm a FFXIV player myself! Soken is so amazing! I really love the night music in the Crystarium too. Such a moving composition and, as you had mentioned, another good example of the main theme here reoccurring in the game.
11:35 he just vibing
Thank you for your insights here. Gave me a much greater appreciation for what I already thought was an incredible soundtrack, shadowbringer honestly blew me away with just how good it was.
The part where your pointed out the FF3 leitmotif blew my mind, never would have thought of that unless I watched this video. I love music as it is, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for those that can weave things together like this.
Great stuff.
I really have to give this one to you, You did your research about the game and know what you are talking about. Most reviews I see are by people who haven't heard any of the other tracks in the game but you make some nice comparisons to other tracks in the game. Definitely earned a new sub here!
Been playing FFXIV since the beta of 2013, and Final Fantasy VII was my first videogame on playstation.
Definitely die hard fan here!
Love FF XIV and the music and you made me appreciate it even more!!
Do the same type of video with the twinning dungeon track! Not only is it just a great track, but it's so wonderfully put together bringing 3 previous tracks into one. I'd like to hear what you think of it.
i love that dungeon. The final boss fight was a treat. :D
A long fall, by far one of the best tracks in shadowbringers. (Well actually all the songs are great!)
its not just paying homage to other final fantasies, the crystal tower story is influenced by final fantasy 3, the original raid showing the last 3 parts of the game, fighting xande and the cloud of darkness
Fantastic analysis! I still get choked up that the "riding home" part every time I log in, especially with the context of who is singing those lines during the final boss fight.
Please do one on FFXIv Answers, it is absolutely epic.
Or dragonsong!
I love this song mich. Now I see the Trailer again with your Analysis i get tears of joy in my eyes because this song is so beautiful and well written
Also the music at 2:36 transitions from the shinryu theme (signifying the end of stormblood) into the Shadowbringers theme. It's quite cool since it's timed with the transition from the battlefield to lakeland.
Just found your channel, I love the music analysis. I'm not knowledgeable on music theory or creation, but I was 100% swept up in the emotions of this song that I've blasted it on repeat constantly. It's nice to have a breakdown on what about this track makes those feelings happen, and what they're doing to achieve that sound. I would love to see more on the soundtrack of FFXIV!
Final Fantasy games have always had amazing music. Seeing a professional nerd out over something that I've loved my entire life just makes me giddy
Still have yet to personally play Shadowbringers, but I know I'll go back to FF XIV someday
The FF X Bass Cover I showed is from a friend of mine, you can listen to it here:
instagram.com/p/BjfEcJrHWdu/
Absolutely loved the video and I'm happy it went into my recommendations! (probably because I listened to that track like a thousand times on CZcams lmao)
Your knowledge of the series adds a lot to the analysis, your enthusiasm is contagious, and the video itself is well edited and great for CZcams format.
I'll be sure to share it with other FF nerds!
There was so much I didn't notice before hearing you break this down even through I loved this song already! This is quite amazing!
I have watched countless videos on youtube with people going through musical pieces, but you stand out; you really know how the different components of music weave together and your explanation about them is spot on, in fact (even though I have quite a good ear for different facets of any given piece of music and have heard this shadowbringers theme countless times) you allowed me to hear the theme in a different way than before. Yes, Soken is just an exceptional composer. Ty Alex!
Amazing video. I cant get enough of this song and trailer still.
4:31 I love how the bass is like a heartbeat and when you're listening you kinda feel like it's synchronizing up with your own heartbeat in anticipation and then the bassline speeds up like it's getting tense or frightened and it kinda drags your own heartbeat and feelings along with it.
I'm so glad to have just found your channel! Love this vid, love ffxiv and love you!
This video was freakin amazing dude. I had already loved and appreciated so much of this song as it is, and noticed so many little details, but the way you explained it just blew my mind even more how amazing it is. Like when you added the piano track to show the underlying vocals... freakin goosebumps.
You've just earned yourself a sub, lol.
God Alex your positivity is just infectious and I was grinning through your entire video. Subbed!
Thanks for this. Was looking for a music nerd to explain why i liked these compositions so much. Great work!!!
The part where you added the piano notes to the song just made it sound even better which just blew my mind, I'd love to hear a version with the piano included. Although now, its sounds like one of the other tracks thats in the expansion too, Im gonna have to go find and listen to it.
Edit: Its the Shadowbringers Boss Theme, would still be epic to hear it in this version thats not a faster version of the theme.
It's great to see someone so passionate about music playing this wonderful game. I have played since ARR (A Realm Reborn) and the music in every expansion is mind blowing and just great. There is no other words for it for me. The music really makes this game what it is.
Love your breakdown and analysis, subbed
Love seeing these dissection videos, and it's even cooler that you're a fan of the series.
I'd love to see you analyze music from other things you love.
This was a great video, I haven't listened to the full track in a few months and it brought all the feels back from the main story in Shadowbringers
Super cool video. This song makes me tear up every time, it's just monumental. Neat to hear a musician's perspective!
Thank you so much for breaking this down! I don't know too much about music theory, but I always love it when songs are broken in down like this. Thank you for covering the Shadow ringers them and I would love to see more breakdowns like this for other songs within the game!
Absolutely amazing video. It's great to hear you be insightful about all the little details. Definitely do more of these as its the best "x reacts" video I've seen!
I enjoyed this immensely. Thank you!
You: Im getting chills listening to this again
Me: I get chills THINKING about this song at work lmao
I always had an appreciation for this piece. But you really broadened and expanded on that appreciation!
Awesome analysis!! Thanks for explaining the theme, liked and suscribed.
This song just about singlehandedly got me into FFXIV LOL-So cool to hear your breakdown on why it’s so compelling!
I actually enjoyed this. Keep the reviews coming!
Great video, love that passion, man!
Oooh definitely an interesting video! And i agree, even after hearing it tons of times it still gives me chills, that's how good it is! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, man
"We may accept this fate or defy it, but we cannot deny it."
Love that quote from this trailer ^^ Great video, good this got recommended for me.
you are awesome. I really enjoyed this video and your analysis.
I was brought to this channel from the Persona 5 examination. I'm subbing because of this. You're analyzing all of my favorite games ever and I love it.
Spot on. Your analysis is flawless.
The music in Shadowbringers is sooooo good! I love your video covering it too. Kudos.
This made me teared up. This song gave me the feels over and over again, to know what made it brilliant even gave me more feels! Thank you so much!
This was really cool. There was many different parts (drums, bass line) that I never paid attention to before. Thanks!
Hello Alex I just saw this on my recommended video's and really enjoyed your breakdown of a series I'm very passionate about. Thanks for the video and subscribed!
I really enjoyed this analysis! Great points, I'm an amateur musician but a few of those points flew over my head here. Especially liked the insight how the entire composition is structured around multiple build-ups and hype of the long cinematic. That was fantastic, all the best to the future of your channel!
Found your channel on accident, but I do NOT regret this at all! Great insight and happy to see you nerding out as well is awesome! Subbed! 😊
Due to popular demand, I also made a reaction for WEIGHT OF THE WORLD: czcams.com/video/w80WSIBASzU/video.html
I loved your breakdown, but just your excitement throughout the whole video. And I never caught that it was Memory of the Wind in the SB opening. Great Job - Also subscribed to your Spotify channel.
Thank you for taking my 2nd favourite FFXIV expansion theme (after Answers) and blowing it apart with awesome analysis. Awesome!
I very much enjoyed this video. You have a very good method of breaking down and explaining things to viewers/listeners who may not know musical theory and design (such as myself). Thank you very much for this enjoyable analysis. I hope you do more along these lines. Especially of this franchise (because I'm a fan of ff14 - what can I say?!).
Thanks again!
This theme still gets me right in the feels. I'm glad you started this series and keep going.
Oh my gosh, please do make more videos like this one on FFXIV please!!! I love breakdowns on things from professionals, and I adore original XIV content like this! ♡
Such a great video!!!! This is the best game trailer...EVER! I'd love love love for you to do more FF reacts
Please do more! As a layman when it comes to music, FF and 14 especially give me such strong emotions as I play. I loved your analysis and would gladly watch and learn more.
Love your video. Great stuff, man!!!
Thanks a ton for this! I knew from the first time hearing this song that it is great (or at least that I adore it) but could never explain why, same with all music really. So hearing an explanation is super enlightening and fun! :D
I cry or get very close to tears every time I listen to the track/watch this trailer. It’s just so mind blowing that you almost get emotionally overwhelmed by it.
Glad you had the same reaction to the guitar part at the start like me - so so cool and perfect tension building.
Excellent content. I know not much of music as you do, but you explained it all perfectly. Subbed!
Happy this showed up in my recommendation list. I love 14 so much. U earned a new follow
Just discovered your channel because of your vision of a remake of FF8 soundtrack. Awesome stuff!
Just got this randomly recommended... first time i see a vid from you. Gotta say i love it
I love when people show in depth love/appreciation for final fantasy music 🙌🏽. Love the video bro