Composer for Street Fighter X MegaMan A_Rival has just released his full-length album TRUTHCANNON. This ten track chiptune / electrohouse album is concentrated was EDM bangers.
Track after track hit hard with polished production and inventive sound design. Tracks like Phoenix and OMF speak more to A_Rival’s chiptune influence and experience with game music, while tracks like DEAD are gritty and vicious dance music, with haunting melodies and screaming synth-work.
Three remixes push the album to 13 tracks, including GameChops artist bLiNd and chiptune legend Trash80.
For only $5, TRUTHCANNON is definitely worth picking up.
BuskerDroid’s totally free Odio Tutto EP does not disappoint. If you’re looking for some chip-influenced electrohouse, this 2-track EP is nine minutes off crazy chips, throbbing bass and powerful production. Lots of changes keep things interesting, EDM fans and chiptune heads alike can get down to this one. Download for free from Mediafire
Anamanaguchi has certainly made a name for themselves in the world of chiptunes. I doubt many would argue that they are one of the biggest chiptune/rock bands out there. With their latest 22-song release, paid for by the fans themselves via Kickstarter and not involving any record label, Anamanaguchi is showing just how versatile and dynamic they really are.
If you’ve heard their previous releases, you’re familiar with their fun Weezeresque-rock + NES lead instrumental sound. It’s fun, upbeat and always full of suprises. The Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game soundtrack expanded the pallete to using Gameboy sounds and a bit more “video game” styled songs.
However, this time around, on Endless Fantasy the guitars have taken the back seat for the first half of the album. You might be in for a shock at how danceable this album is. Live drums and guitars have been dialed down for great chiptune sounds and vocal samples that might remind you more of Daft Punk than Weezer. Tracks like Prom Night and Japan Air feature guest vocals and could easily be played on the radio next to the latest electro single. It might not be what everyone was expecting from them, but its hard to deny how great it all sounds.
And don’t worry, the guitars do make a come back on the second half. Spf 420 and the obvious Weezer-homage titles In the Basement and Space Wax America are classic Anamanaguchi goodness that will make you smile. Every track is full of suprises and you’ll surely find your own personal favorite amongst all the variety. This is their most professional sounding album to date, and I’d suspect any fan of VGM or Chiptune will find something they like here.
If you haven’t heard of The Flight Away, you need to get their amazing EP “If I Could Reach the Sky”, an awesome emotronic album that blends sunny emo vocals and guitars with classic 16-bit and 8-bit tones and basslines. Not content to just create the same sound over and over, The Flight Away’s newest release, SEGA Swing is a bit of a departure from the sounds of If I Could Reach The Sky.
Music in the late 80’s and early 90’s (pre-grunge) had a very distinct sound. Those big gated drums and synthetic baselines and synth pianos just scream ending credits of an 80’s teen movie. The SEGA Swing album aims to capture some of this sound. The entire album is made up of instruments ripped straight from Sega Genesis soundtracks as well as drums that mimic the style of the era. It’s a double dose of nostalgia with the song style and the sounds from the 16-bit console of the era.
It’s not the most commonly imitated time period, but I think we’ve reached the point where it can be enjoyed in a nostalgic way. The romantic and pop-infused tracks of SEGA Swing will remind you of everything from New Order to Michael Jackson to EMF. It sounds weird but it also reminds me of Toad the Wet Sprocket. Total 90’s new jack swing styled thing going on throughout it. Also Dance Fight is a somewhat hilarious bonus track that reminds me of Haddaway and Night at the Roxbury.
The stand out tracks in my opinion are The Endless Loop and I Can’t Take (This Feeling), which emulate everything that was amazing about New Order in the 1980s. There’s not a bad song on here and it still feels like something by The Flight Away, not some huge digression from their core style. Grab it today!
Beatscribe is a full time indie composer, musician and writer. By day he creates soundtracks and sfx for various mobile gaming companies, by night creates megaman-inspired chiptunes, in the afternoons he drinks tea. Check out his latest releases, tutorials and retro ruminations at www.beatscribe.com.
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