Game Composer Is AMAZED by BLACK MYTH WUKONG MAIN THEME
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The soundtrack of Black Myth Wukong captures a perfect blend of nostalgia and adventure, evoking a playful heroism that mirrors the character's mischievous spirit.
Hey music friends, this is Davi Vasque. I'm a music composer for games, and you guys seem to be very interested in the soundtrack of Black Myth: Wukong lately. So, let's do another video on it! Today, we're going to listen to and talk about Black Myth: Wukong's main theme. Let's go!
The music begins with beautiful strings.
Amazing! From what I understand, this is an original song from the game. It's not from anything else, like the previous track we heard. Oh man, it's amazing! There’s such a sense of adventure, magic, and mystique to it. There's a sense of mysticism and legend that permeates the piece.
Hold up! I'm really impressed. As I mentioned before, the previous track we heard from this game was actually an original song from a TV show from the '80s. The subject matter matches the theme of the game, which is based on the myth of the Journey to the West. They used this soundtrack from the show in the game. This current track, I assume, was originally made for the game. Honestly, if I had heard this one first, I would have thought it could also be a track from the '80s or '90s. It has that feel to it and that style.
They are clearly emulating that kind of style, and I now understand why so many people, especially Asian audiences, feel nostalgic for this game as a whole. It's clear to me now that they are intentionally making this nostalgic with the style of the song. But check out how adventurous some of these chords are!
Did you see these chords? I feel like, just like in the first song we heard, they are emphasizing chords that are not very tense. This creates an almost spiritual sense of mystique and legend. Most of the chords are pretty positive, conveying a sense of heroism, positivity, and virtue. At the same time, it feels lighthearted and playful due to the lack of a lot of drama and tension.
I’ve never played the game, but from what I've seen of the character Wukong, it seems like the music matches his persona. Even the melody here—pay attention to this trumpet melody—doesn't it feel kind of cartoony and goofy, even while sounding adventurous? There’s a contrast here; it's being played on the trumpet, which is a brass instrument. It's very harsh and aggressive, evoking feelings of militarism, heroism, and war. Yet, the melody and harmony feel kind of cartoony and goofy.
From the very few trailers and cutscenes I've seen of Wukong, it seems like he is not a perfect model of a hero. He appears to be mischievous, a loudmouth, and a smartass who doesn't take conflicts and fights very seriously. I feel like that's exactly what they're trying to portray here, and they are doing a good job at it. It sounds heroic but playful.
This part sounds so mystical and magical!
The strings continue.
Okay, they raised the key, so they're building up and creating anticipation for something amazing. Oh, some Chinese instruments!
What an amazing melody!
Oh, the female voice—man, that's such an interesting effect! The female human voice here obviously gives a more human tone to this kind of monkey adventure, making us feel more empathetic about this journey. But further than that, I wonder if this human voice is meant to symbolize something more specific in the story. Perhaps there's some kind of character that this voice is supposed to portray, maybe a female character that this voice is meant to belong to. Maybe not, but it's an intriguing thought.
Music has the power to transform a story, using instruments and vocals to evoke deep emotions and create a sense of adventure.
The experience of listening to this music is truly amazing. The incorporation of some Chinese instruments creates an amazing melody that captivates the listener. The female voice adds a unique and interesting effect, giving a more human tone to this kind of monkey adventure. This element makes us feel more empathetic about the journey. However, I wonder if this human voice symbolizes something more specific in the story, perhaps portraying a particular female character. Alternatively, it could simply serve to evoke human emotion.
As the music progresses, there is a noticeable shift in tone. The piece keeps changing keys, creating a sensation of going on an adventure. Finally, the music introduces tension, adventure, and drama, which feels super dangerous. The chords used are quite similar to those in the previous track we heard, starting with light-hearted and playful sequences before transitioning into something more tense and dangerous. This time, the composer employs very tense, disturbing chords to convey a sense of danger and drama.
The unexpected use of a tense chord that doesn’t belong in the key adds to the feeling of unexpected danger. This surprising element indicates that the composer is intentionally crafting a soundscape filled with tension and drama. The female singer contributes to this atmosphere, as the song is rich with buildups and releases.
At one point, the scale of the music expands significantly. Initially, the effect of the human voice was introspective, represented by a single singer. However, with the addition of a choir, the scale of the story and the adventure feels much larger. I also noticed some remarkable playing of what I believe is a pipa, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument. The inclusion of various Chinese instruments adds a completely unique flavor to the orchestra.
As the music continues, a march-like rhythm emerges, evoking sensations of conflict and militarism. The quiet moments lead to a huge build-up, with emotional strings that resonate deeply. There’s also a wind Chinese instrument featured, which I can’t recall the name of. If anyone knows what it is, please let me know in the comments!
The glorious build-up and tension in the music are truly amazing. The modulations throughout the piece create a sense of grandeur. I’ve made another video similar to this one on another Black Myth: Wukong song titled The Celestial Symphony. You can find that video right over here. Remember, whenever you're ready to spread your wings, go on a music journey again. I’ll see you there!