Posted 2018-10-22, evaluated by Liontamer


While we last heard from Jovette Rivera back in 2013 with Balance and Ruin, this track from Songs of Light and Darkness was actually completed many years prior, as one of the earlier contributions to the album. It's more of a spiritual successor to his legendary FF7 VoTL mix, and features a similar blend of over-the-top, anthemic J-rock/J-pop, with a maximalist aesthetic and vocals which take their time to enter but end up defining the piece:

"This song was created in 2007, and I wanted to create something I feel could surpass my previous Final Fantasy 7 remix "The Crossroads," as I want to continue growing as a remixer and arranger, not limited to only writing original material for myself and other artists. So I enlisted the aid of Japanese guitarist ISAO (a renowned guitarist working with Japanese idol band Babymetal and others) to provide my guitar tracks. He's amazing and a great friend. I can't imagine the song without him, and I think you'll agree.

Since then, I've long been producing music for major Japanese artists and idols as well as performing as a singer/voice actor for many anime and games (i.e. Street Fighter V, Devil May Cry 4, Tekken 7, Pokkén Tournament, etc.). Of course, I hope to maintain my relationship with the OCR community as well, as I have been since the beginning. I will try to provide new mixes when time allows or serious inspiration hits. Thank you to everyone for making this album a reality."

Jovette's been doing awesome things with awesome people; congratulations to him for following his heart & living the dream - it's always exciting and rewarding to see artists doing well. In many ways SD3:SLD is like a time capsule, and opening it up to find this sister arrangement to one of my favorite tracks from Voices of the Lifestream was a highlight, for me. This is a little edgier, and doesn't have the same explosive, cathartic melodic refrain as Jovette's "Cid" mix, but it's superb nonetheless, and nails a certain style that anime fans might be more familiar with. Album director Rozovian writes:

"This was unexpected. Due in part to a misunderstanding on direction, we ended up with a more electronic track that I had in mind for the album. I don't mind, not anymore. A number of remixers wanted to incorporate more electronic elements into their tracks, and I think the album became more varied and interesting that way. This track serves as a nice bridge between the many styles on the album, drawing on orchestral, acoustic, ethnic, metal, and electronica. The eclectic sound might be par for the course in J-rock, but as I don't listen much to the genre, it's fresh to me."

Yeah, I'd say J-rock/J-pop are generally pretty varied when it comes to instrumentation & external influences, and a common approach you see is a "kitchen sink" sound that throws a lot at listeners but ties it all together with catchy vocal hooks. Did someone say catchy vocal hooks? You've got 'em here, with some tasetfully auto-tuned bits and nice doubling/FX that Jovette has always paid attention to on his vocal tracks. ISAO's guitar brings that extra bit of electricity and spontaneity. Assistant director Meteo Xavier adds:

"You didn't think this project would have just one "Angel's Fear" remix on it, did you? Without question, this time "Angel's Fear" begins a little differently than we might expect -- very triumphant, but with a lot of synthetic white wind/ocean noise on top of it. There's a fine, thick, crystalline piano doing the opening lines, a short break, a quick burst of... whoa, gated trance chords? Rather unusual for this project, but the guitar work that quickly follows it isn't and suddenly there's a new energy rocking out them angelic anxieties!

But the surprises don't end there. A manly, awesome voice sings the iconic melody over acoustic guitar and then there's more synth work and... whoa, it's dizzying trying to do play-by-play with this song. There's a lot of twists and turns, and they're so incredibly seamless that you never quite see them coming. I wouldn't be surprised if this song becomes one of the more popular "Angel's Fear" remixes out and around. I don't think the world has ever quite heard it done like this before!"

It's almost a guarantee, when Jovette tackles a source, that it's going to be a singular & distinct interpretation; very few arrangers are working in this specific style, and even within said style, the artist has his own voice. It's wonderful to have that voice return to the OCR homepage after so long, as this assertive pop/rock gem straddles the album's dark/light schism with a bit of both, plus energy, style, & passion. Excellent!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 4 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Black_Doom
on 2018-10-23 04:55:03

Oh yeah, this track was a huge surprise for me when the album was released! Jovette's works are always so, so, SO GOOD! This is just as over-the-top as all of his recent tracks :) Huge kudos for this one!

avatar
DJ Crono
on 2018-10-23 03:04:25

Hello OCR community, Jovette here,

I would like to thank DJP and the other project directors for their kind words and for posting this mix.
OCRemix is still the unrivaled king of video game remixes!!

8 hours ago, 454Casull said:

Cool mix. Is that pelleK with the vocals though?

Haha, I'll take that as a compliment since Pellek is such a great singer. But no, I'm singing this song as I do with all my remixes and arrangements.

avatar
454Casull
on 2018-10-22 18:57:57

Cool mix. Is that pelleK with the vocals though?

avatar
Liontamer
on 2018-10-22 09:01:58

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Seiken Densetsu 3 (Square , 1995, SNES)
Music by Hiroki Kikuta
Songs:
"Angel's Fear"

Tags (13)


Genre:
Pop,Rock
Mood:
Energetic
Instrumentation:
Acoustic Guitar,Electric Guitar,Piano,Singing,Strings,Synth,Vocals: Male,Woodwinds
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original
Origin > Collaboration

File Information


Name:
Seiken_Densetsu_3_The_Fearless_Angel_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
8,588,470 bytes
MD5:
d3b2ce5f3b460f8c12f367daced0ccd1
Bitrate:
212Kbps
Duration:
5:20

ROMAJI & ENGLISH:

[Chorus]
Boku no mune no naka de
Kimi wa ikitsuzukeru
Itsuka boku wa kimi no koto wo wasurete shimau no ka

[Verse]
So open up your mind
And see what you have yet to find
You've got to use the mana
You're fighting for the right
The darkness hides away the light
So travel safely, please return
If you could live
Your life for what it's worth
Would you run into the crimson night
Journey to the land of no return

[Bridge]
Kore ijou no imi wa nakutatte ii
Ai to iyuu sutekina uso de damashite hoshii
Ai subeki takusan no hitotachi ga boku wo
Okubyou mono ni kaete shimattanda

ENGLISH:

[Chorus]
You will always
continue to live in my heart
However, do I forget you sometimes?

[Verse]
So open up your mind
And see what you have yet to find
You've got to use the mana
You're fighting for the right
The darkness hides away the light
So travel safely, please return
If you could live
Your life for what it's worth
Would you run into the crimson night
Journey to the land of no return

[Bridge]
It's alright if there isn't more meaning to it than this
I want to believe the wonderful lie called love
The lives of those I love
have changed me into a weak person

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