ReMix: Star Ocean 'Space Travel'

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Though we've had several (excellent) Star Ocean 2 submissions, our first arrangement from the series' initial SNES installment comes courtesy of GrayLightning, who imbues his usual new age/orchestral style with some edgier electronica textures including an undulating synth bass that switches to an oscillating double-time, minimal, echoing percussion, and a nice mix of styles. GL writes:

"This time it's not the typical new age mix I usually do, but a blend of a touch of synth, electronica with my usual new age/orchestral style. There's even some R&B, rock drums elements. I enjoy merging different genres to create a new kind of sound. Some people mentioned it reminds them somewhat of Panzer Dragoon or the feeling of flying or traveling in space, which was my intention."

Judges concurred with whomever made those comments, citing an atmospheric vibe that conveys motion. With the very tense intro, I'd also say there's an air of mystery, something larger, and a bit of distance and coldness. Binnie Katti of Virginia (aka Yanni, Digital Coma, etc.) did express some mixed feelings overall:

"I really like the use of a warbly synth as an anchor bass, and I dig the spastic drums. The electro-acoustic soundscape is standard GrayLightning, but is more of an addendum to the melody than a cohesive accompaniment... I'm honestly borderline. I shall enshrine this OCREMIX mostly due to the wonderful nuances of sound detail and stylistic transplant within the confines of this arrangement."

I'd have to say, his Mystical Ninja piece is still my favorite, but what I like here is the less laid-back tone and more disturbing sense of being on the edge of something, the periphery, and the tension and suspense that yields. Good, different stuff from GL - check it out.

― djpretzel