How Hyper Light Drifter Escapes the Nostalgia Trap

Our love of nostalgia feels like it's slowly poisoning mass culture, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate the past. Hyper Light Drifter shows us how we can use old ideas in a new and compelling way. Also: Metro Boomin want some more.
Support me on Patreon: / michaelsaba
Buy the game: www.heart-machine.com/
HLD OST: music.disasterpeace.com/album/...
Music:
Seeds of the Crown -- Disasterpeace
Where ya At (Instrumental) -- Future (prod. Metro Boomin)
Karate Chop (Instrumental) -- Future (prod. Metro Boomin)
Titan -- Disasterpeace
Photos:
Vangelis -- vangelismovements.com/vangelis...
Disasterpeace -- music.disasterpeace.com/

[@hemangchauhan2864]

"Re Contextualize" I think this a very nice way to view things. Even though it carries a negative connotation, but Steve Jobs famous quote "Good artists copy, great artists steal" applies here as well. Copying the ideas of "nostalgic" media is very common, but re-contextualizing them makes them stand out. There are many games that do this very well, but one example that stood out very very nicely is MGS3. It could be said that it's an homage to campy spy thriller stories and movies, but campy serves as way not only to entertain, but elicit genuine emotion and tragedy. On paper, this shouldn't work in any way, but in MGS3, it does.

[@melonenstrauch1306]

This video is brilliant. Hyper Light Drifter and you deserve more attention. However the Soundtrack is not primarily an hommage to Vangelis but mostly to impressionism, which is extremly fitting for HLD as its main goal is to create a mood. Then Disasterpeace recolours this fairly old music genre with the synth sounds of the future (and Vangelis) which is basically a one of a kind composition. This soundtrack is the best i have ever heard.

[@Skjoldmc]

I still can't get over how this only has 4500 views. It's a great video.

[@CheeseTurbulence]

This was beautifully written and so well done, thank you!

[@Ellotus13]

I love this channel to bits, it's mind boggling that you have such a low subscriber base. I really hope it's going to fix itself this year! I'd very interested in the video essay you mentioned in this video about current rap. The similarities with video game music and modern trap beats is something that has flown under my radar in spite of how much I listen to it. And I'm curious: what is it about Future? You seem the type of guy to value substance and aesthetics, but whenever I look into Future I see a distinct lack of both. Is there something I'm missing? You have a good grasp of explaining art, so I think if someone was to compel a person like me to give him another chance it would be you. Anyways, great videos. I hope you get mad big!

[@MichaelSaba]

It makes me really happy to see such a nice comment on an older video -- thank you for watching! I'm trying to carve out more time for these videos in 2017, expect to see at least a handful more by the end of the summer. Your point about the hidden history of rap and videogames is exactly the motivation I need to explore this topic further, especially because it's something I haven't seen discussed much, or at all, and I really want to plant my flag on this topic. W/R/T Future: Without a doubt, his biggest strength is his production. Being based in ATL means he's had the good luck to work with some of the best up-and-coming producers, like Metro Boomin, Mike Will, Southside & Lex Luger, Zaytoven -- all producers who specialize in electronic and videogame-y beats. (I love my city so much.) As someone who grew up playing games, I can't not fuck with it. But more than that, he's one of the few rappers to embrace the bleak, dark side of his sex-drugs-rocknroll lifestyle. He's a bad guy doing terrible shit and feeling terrible about it, and he doesn't hide any of these details from the audience, no matter how ugly they are. I find this incredibly appealing, especially because it's usually paired with production that accentuates this sense of alienation he raps about. I recommend both his new self-titled album and the Purple Reign mixtape if you haven't heard them already -- they might change your mind about him.

[@donut9301]

you deserve so many more subs...recently found your channel and absolutely love it. keep it up!

[@fischey]

On the topic of "Metro is one of the most exciting things to happen to rap in a long time." I'm curious how you feel about Run the Jewels? Especially given the quick flash of a Killer Mike album shortly after the statement.

[@gorgeeshmorgee4660]

This is kinda like what vaporwave does with '80s and '90s music as well.

[@an2qzavok]

Is nostalgia just early stage of tradition?

[@brandongorin7978]

failing@commenting this is very insightful

[@npc6817]

wouldn't say so personally, nostalgia is a longing for the past, tradition is the past that has refused to pass away

[@anu_start]

what's more nostalgic than a soundtrack release on vinyl and a special edition copy of the game on a custom snes cartridge (sort of, it wasn't playable on the snes but the cartridge had a special design so that it looked like an actual snes game)?

[@bon12121]

Recalls they hyperactive fighting pace... Sheesh... Ok, sure.

[@shayoko6]

This looks like a good game but it just doesn't appeal to me,i'll pass on this one. thanks for sharing though!