Sonic Superstars OST is... | Music Producer Reacts

[@13Js0]

finally a "music producer reacts" that actually knows and cares about the topic they're discussing! more more!!

[@therightestangle]

And doesn't shit on Jun for zero reason

[@NerdyNooki]

@@therightestangleJun is an excellent composer. But he definitely should stick to guitars IMO. This “Sega Genesis sound font” shtick that Sega keeps trying to use just sounds horrible. It didn’t work in Forces and it doesn’t work here. It just doesn’t work.

[@Hyp3rSonic]

​@@NerdyNookigood point, but please don't use the term soundfont

[@OhadLutzky]

This makes the Mania soundtrack sound all that much more impressive, honestly. That was a tightly-knit soundtrack with a clear consistent personality, and yet it managed to make literal covers of tracks from various older games sound right at home. This sounds like it was made by people who didn't listen to each other's work at all.

[@Funkiotologist]

One of my favorite OSTs of all time and there are some amazing hits in Superstars like Speed Jungle Act 1 but sadly it’s so forgettable and all over the place in comparison

[@DoritoTime]

@@Funkiotologist and to nobody’s surprise, Speed Jungle Act 1 was arranged by Tee Lopes

[@Funkiotologist]

@@DoritoTime yea he should have been the lead composer on the entire ost, Sonic OSTs are some of my favorite music period and mania was one that I listened to endlessly on release and still do a fair amount. I was so excited for this soundtrack but god it’s really just the Tee tracks I like 😭😭 after a few days of reflection I just have to say that’s how I feel because at first I was ok with some others but they really don’t stick in your head and everything pales in comparison to the tracks Tee made. Jun isn’t a bad composer but the adherence to pretty much nostalgia bait in his classic Sonic comps makes everyone just so confused as to why and many of these songs feel more like mimics of what people did like about those songs and doesn’t understand the real why of it

[@damienalvarez2957]

@@Funkiotologistyeah, I’m surprised they let Jun compose another “classic Sonic” soundtrack after the abysmal failure of Sonic 4. They should’ve gotten Tee Lopes or whoever worked on the Sonic Advance series to compose the music.

[@Camad]

Yeah you can very clearly tell where Tee either gave notes or just made the songs in this soundtrack lol

[@TheSanndwichh]

His ability to pick up, catch on, and recreate or play along with the music is crazy talent. Especially on a keyboard

[@sometf2player752]

The moral of the story is to not let jun senoue near the genesis sonic soundfont

[@Gnidel]

And tell him that 14 second long loops are unacceptable in boss fights.

[@solidusgadget]

Or just not let Senoue near Sonic again

[@waypastcoolkid]

@@solidusgadgetWHAO that is NOT the takeaway here. Man makes great melodies and anything he touches with the guitar is gold, he just should not be permitted to try to emulate the Genesis sound using those synths ever again.

[@phillyfanmatt]

Or honestly just like…maybe it’s time to part ways. The old school jun tracks are so good, and it’s a shame to watch him tarnish his rep with this.

[@kylem7917]

​@@phillyfanmattJun's work on on TSR just a couple years ago made some amazing new songs and remixes. He really just doesn't understand Classic Sonic anymore.

[@GuidoLikesBread]

The person they keep inviting who makes the weird "genesis music" is June senoue. He's the guy who makes the adventure music but for some reason when he composes and arranges classic sonic music it's really bad despite him being very talented at music. He actually did compose some songs for sonic 3 but at that time he obviously wasn't nostalgia pandering. Also he wasn't arranging those songs. This stuff has been happening since sonic 4. He doesn't make music for classic song games, he just makes generic video game music but it's fast and has a bad Sega Genesis soundfont. Whats worse is that he actively decides to do this instead of doing actual music like in the adventure games and on. I think hes the reason the soundtrack isnt amazing like other sonic games

[@suns3t_t0wn]

It's weird, because Jun Senoue CAN arrange Genesis Songs, he did arrange a lot of tracks in Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis), if only he stopped using the Vaccum VST

[@ziro_ultimate]

Sega composers do not use soundfonts

[@alanbareiro6806]

@@suns3t_t0wn He only composed the tracks. The actual in-game arrangements were done by sound programmers.

[@2097xl]

Jun did all the bonus stage themes for sonic 3 and you can tell because they're all short and repetitive

[@Seealz]

Nope common misconception, He actually programmed his own music in himself.@@alanbareiro6806

[@Hey_Childish]

“All over the place” perfectly describes the OST of this game. It isn’t bad but it doesn’t know if it wants to go full on mania with some of the tracks or sonic 4 ish with the chip tune music at certain points. While I definitely have my favorite tracks in sonic mania that I adore, I can listen to the OST from beginning to end and it has cohesive vibe. Sometimes It felt like they ran out of time or something and threw some stuff together for certain segments of the game.

[@JodFantasy]

this comment puts it really well tbh

[@BossBasher]

There's a silva gunner high quality rip of sonic 4. They use an actual genesis soundfont and it actually sounds super good

[@geothepoly]

The quality difference between Jun Senoue's tracks versus the ones by Tee Lopes is hilarious.

[@EmmetDaMarbleLol]

jun loves his shit midi instruments that vaguely resemble the genesis soundchip

[@therightestangle]

​@@EmmetDaMarbleLolit's not midi

[@therightestangle]

Yeah! Tee lopes is shi- I mean..good, and Jun is better!

[@EmmetDaMarbleLol]

@@therightestangle they are samples from old midi keyboards, might not be a midi file but im pretty an old midi keyboard like a korg or something

[@majman446]

What about the tracks made by neither of them?

[@callumsparrow4379]

If Mania’s soundtrack was like a Greatest Hits tribute album with a few original songs, then Superstars’ soundtrack would be a collaboration album between two artists with the same idea, but neither of them were allowed to communicate with each other.

[@TheSanndwichh]

And one of them REALLY wanted to see what he could do with that old Sonic snare sample

[@Agent_Ice0]

Not sure what exactly you mean by collaboration, but I do know the legend of dragoon soundtrack, which is awesome, was made by two people that never met each other.

[@Tonder.]

This ost feels very hit or miss which is not what I want from a sonic game

[@AMemeableChannel]

Yeah, we either get really good songs like the title screen or just Sonic 4 like Fang's theme.

[@hybridstudio4435]

@@AMemeableChannel To be fair, they did redeem Fang's theme further we get into the game's story but other than, yeah i agree.

[@AMemeableChannel]

@@hybridstudio4435 Oh yeah i forgot he had another theme

[@erikperez4829]

theres prob like 5 good songs in this entire soundtrack

[@ramadhanadriano7650]

Well depends which ost you're listening to my favorite is speed jungle and bridge island zone.

[@andrewlins9747]

Please react to the whole OST, your knowledge of the music from classic games in the franchise makes your comments in the analysis very well-informed. I loved the content, can't wait to hear what else you gotta say about this game's soundtrack!

[@4rttyzz575]

I think Classic Sonic osts should be handled by one main composer, or if u want multiple composers, make so that he does all the songs of the zone (both act 1 and 2). And don't use just genesis sounds, u can mix it with other instruments. I LOVE Sky Temple zone and it uses mostly genesis sound, but if u change some synths into real instruments, it could be 10x better imo

[@lucy.fer_616]

Personally i think that classic sonic soundtracks should be more inspired by the sonic cd/sega saturn sonic styles.

[@TGVBT640]

Tee Lopes carried all he could but it still flopped 💀

[@jurassicarkjordanisgreat1778]

Yeah, CD style or mania style

[@vividcolorandrichaudio6134]

@@TGVBT640 Tee Lopes is the weakest composer there lmao.

[@brycebitetti1402]

​@vividcolorandrichaudio6134 You can't be saying that while Jun craps out the shittiest 30 seconds loops with the exact same Sonic 1 drum beat on each of his tracks.

[@huskyhsd1416]

It's not often I can disagree with someone for the majority of a video and still love it and appreciate the commentary. This is truly a hidden gem of a video and channel, I'm very happy to have found it and I look forward to watching the rest of your content.

[@mehiloll]

ALSO BRIDGE ISLAND ACT 2 SOUNDS SOOOOO GOOD, ITS THE LITERAL PERFECT ACT 2 THEME IT GIVES ME CHILLS it’s sad how half of the OST doesn’t sound amazing like this, cuz it sure did have a strong start Also listen to Cyber Station Boss Theme (chiptune and non-chiptune version [apparently the non-chiptune version was unused?]), it’s AMAZING (probably my favorite track in the game) I would love to see you break that one down!

[@mikester8171]

The consistent through line with the tracks in this game that are amazing are that they’re the tracks composed by Tee Lopes. Why Sega didn’t just get him to do the entire ost is beyond me.

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

15:21 That boss theme percussion is so HEAVY. Absolutely spectacular. Right there with you.

[@mehiloll]

I was always obsessed with that song when I was younger

[@GleeVarient]

Lol same ​@@mehiloll

[@SkeleGamer102]

that boss music is so disappointing, such a bland track for what should be an exciting moment in my opinion.

[@I.Am.Terrible.At.Usernames]

Intresting. I personally liked the boss theme, I thought it held up pretty well to most classic boss themes. Just my opinion though

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

I’m a musician who’s trying to study the skill, and vids like this are a godsend! Keep on, folks!

[@ChannelPup]

This is a superb analysis. There's just no dominant sound in this OST that makes me go "Yep, that's Superstars" and that to me is a bigger problem than any single track (aside from the boss theme). By the way I've been referring to him as Neo-Classic Sonic. And yes, PLEASE more of this.

[@okNiko]

Please make a part 2 of this. Your insight into how inconsistent this soundtrack is was amazing!

[@springamajig]

You should definitely react to the entirety of the speed jungle ost, all three songs are pretty good, with act 1 being my personal favorite

[@spiraltech3034]

Lact ones me ans my bros as well!!!

[@xavierbean5218]

This is a rarity for Sonic Team for their OST To be this mixed. Usually they go absolutely off the walls for it, but they probably didn’t for two reasons, one being lack of care from Sega, or the future plans.

[@ksemanr]

I really liked Pinball Carnival, especially Act 2 when it goes halloween-y

[@TenshiCat]

Yeah Pinball Carnival Act 2 is awesome; that drop it has goes so hard

[@AMemeableChannel]

25:53 The fact that the song sounds much better with the drum beat says a lot about the boss theme. (I kinda like this song, the melody of the boss is really good, the problem is that Jun made it so empty)

[@TheFallenStar64]

It's really weird how there's different Boss music further on in the game that sounds a thousand times better

[@Wolfric_Rogers]

I agree, it is strange.

[@Mr_bukowski4435]

It slaps like why wasn’t that the boss theme all the way through

[@fnsiii7975]

I would love it for you to react to the rest of the soundtrack! As a whole I thought the OST was ok with a few exceptions. I think my favorite songs from the soundtrack were: - Lagoon City Act 2 - Speed Jungle Act Sonic - Sand Sanctuary

[@ドラゴンリュー-f1x]

When I hear Fang's theme after hearing HBH's theme, I have a hard time understanding why they couldn't have done it the same way.

[@Spannondorf]

Please keep digging into this! It's super interesting to hear the pros and cons of this OST from an informed perspective.

[@Chibiknux]

25:24 14 seconds for some of the longest boss fights in classic sonic history ._.

[@Coelh021]

I wish Jun would have aimed for a more 3D Blast feel if he still needed to make "Genesis like" songs, in my opinion it's the best Sonic music sounded in the Genesis. Rusty Ruins and Green Grove sound amazing.

[@darkax1140]

I also hear death by glamour, but all my mind thinks is reference to the best Sonic OST: Sonic CD-Special Stage, never thought they sounded similar btw

[@wetwaluigi]

i would love to see a part two of this!!! id be most curious for a breakdown of speed jungle act 1 and 2

[@lse2]

check back tomorrow 😊

[@a2lan123]

Given some slightly recent revelations, the Sonic 3 mini boss theme IS legally Michael Jackson.

[@Fuzunga]

The interesting thing about this selection of tracks is that they were all done by Jun Senoue and Tee Lopes. The title screen and Bridge Island 1 were composed by Senoue but arranged by Lopes, which is why they sound so good. Special stage was Lopes and Bridge Island 2 is “co-composed” by both of them. I’m not sure what that means exactly, but my guess is that it’s basically Tee Lopes’ interpretation of Jun Senoue’s composition. His remix, basically. So Jun Senoue is obviously capable of writing good music but he clearly shouldn’t be arranging it himself.

[@CarlHyperweevil]

This OST is such a mixed bag and it hurts my soul. I know Jun is a good composer, but all of the Genesis-esque stuff just feels like Sonic 4 Episode 3. Which is weird because the Episode 2 OST was actually a bop and leagues above 1, making me hope he had recaptured that groove. But, here we are. I think my favorite is Lagoon City, because of the Hydrocity Zone Jumpscare in Act 1, and the Tidal Tempest Vibes in Act 2. Any reference to my favorite Sonic tracks wins big points from me. Please, continue with the OST analysis. It's informative and entertaining.

[@RandomTomatoMusic]

16:41 You basically just described Sonic 4, right down to the "old Korg keyboard" description

[@NielsPeyronnel]

Please continue the review, especially the Tee Lopes compositions! There's Speed Jungle Act 1 that has similarities with Level 42's The Chinese Way in my opinion.. Thanks!

[@RadiantBlazeVA]

This soundtrack is so bizarre, some tracks I absolutely love and some tracks I can't stand and then you'll get something so random and out of place like a breakcore song lmao, hope to see you cover the rest of the OST!

[@Reyn_the_Insane]

What should've happened is Tee should've done ALL of the arranging. Sure, you can have Jun compose, but have Tee handle the instrumentation consistency.

[@brisklloydavator]

frozen base act tails should have been covered it is an absolute certified slapper

[@earlyriser03]

Please do the whole OST. I’ve enjoyed listening to your analysis so far.

[@mikebrave-makesgames5365]

the placeholder sounding songs remind me a lot of how the sonic 4 songs felt, in a bad way.

[@MegaEvilsaurus66]

Keep digging into this one, please. Thus was very insightful.

[@CanaldoZenny]

Jun Senoe is the composer for the entire soundtrack in this game, the credits screen theme proves it. Tee Lopes and the other musicians just rearranged individual tracks. The issue is that there was little to no communication between them, so everyone did their own thing. Jun has been obsessed with this fake YM2612 synth since his work for 2010's Sonic 4 Episode I, which Sonic fans usually dislike. Some composers completely changed Jun's tracks for this game, others basically kept them the same, others made them sound closer to what an actual Genesis sound like. Jun also has the tendency to reuse old music composed for other Sonic games. He did this with SA1 and S4Ep1, reusing tracks made for Sonic 3D Blast. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the bad tracks of this OST were made for the canceled Sonic 4 Episode III.

[@DNGMaestro]

You’re 100% wrong my friend. Jun composed a handful of tracks, some of them rearranged by Tee Lopes. Tee composed 4 original tracks, and few others composed the rest of it. Jun’s solo tracks are all sound like mega drive/genesis imitation.

[@Leetheslayer]

Also the special stage music sounds a whole lot like the sonic cd one, at least at the beginning

[@jveepozitron]

4:11 one little reminder, it's not an I-vii°-vi, but rather an I-bVII-vi-bVI, this chord progression some sort of descending phrase to a mario cadence, if you want to hear a good example of it, You Can Do Anything from Sonic CD works.

[@manuelmakesartz]

Hi Jzee!

[@jveepozitron]

@@manuelmakesartz Hello

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

I’m reading out of a music theory book, so thanks for the pop quiz/progression to practice!

[@jonathandias7006]

Sonic Superstars Sand Sanctuary Act 1 and Egg Fortress Act 1 OST are really good sounds

[@sarcasticnonsense]

Please continue. I didn’t rly like the boss music but, the stage music I really enjoyed, my faves so far being Sand Sanctuary 1, pinball carnival 2 and Speed jungle 1. Not in any particular order.

[@Victini7472]

a lot of these go hard on mute fr 🔥 some go hard on full tho ong thats the best way to describe this ost imo LMAO it suffers from sonic 4 and forces syndrome: composition good, instrumentation bad

[@TheSalltt]

I would love to hear your reaction to the rest of the Superstars soundtrack! First time watcher, I was absolutely captivated listening to your thoughts on each song, hearing what you noticed that I hadn't even picked up on yet. Especially seeing your reaction to Bridge Island Act 2, there were so many parts about it that I didn't even realize, yet I still enjoyed it as much as you seemed to.

[@Dogan_TM]

It's Hydro City and I will endure waterboarding before I ever call it Hy drocity just to get a 'velocity' pun.

[@mochico88]

I've always said it as Hydro City. Wasn't it also officially revealed that it's Hydro City?

[@sanicmaniac]

6:43 I will always know it as the Mario cadence

[@ed_999]

Press Factory Act 1 would be interesting for you to critique

[@NatanTrombetta]

this video was AMAZING, i Love vídeos like this, so to see one about my favorite franchise was awesome! I really hope you can react and talk about the rest of the OST, ESPECIALLY about Speed Jungle act 1(my favorite song from the game) there some REAL bangers too, like Lagoon City act 2 and the carnival and sand themed zones, as well as other not so great genesis styled songs, i feel they have what it is needed tô be memorable, but the genesis instrumentation just kills them...

[@akongas]

I get goosebumps listening to the original Sonic mini boss songs

[@sonicthehedge]

Sonic games only had amazing soundtracks, even the shittest games like 06 still had banger soundtracks. Sadly after generations the soundtrack of the game starting going downhill. Sonic Mania being an exception and I suppose Sonic Froniters Titans themes too.

[@Bajso84]

I really dig the Superstars soundtrack. Its just inconsistent and incohesive with a few total duds thrown into the mix. Manias is better, but for me this scores 2nd place in per track quality. But they *really* need to tone down Juns snare drums for the next entry. My guess is that the duds were in fact place holders that got to stay due to budget restraints. Some incompetent management at Sega likely to blame. Thats the only explanation that makes sense.

[@stormxjp]

Boss themes are everything in a game for me! This boss theme ruined Sonic Superstars...and all the people who played it on gameshows, said it was just temporary 😑🙄

[@Corvus_Erectus]

The soundtrack of this game made me have some really mixed opinions, I got to see Jun Senoue perform Bridge Island act1 this saturday and the guitar was so delicious I would kill to have the entire soundtrack be guitar

[@ShavierTheHedgehog]

Whole soundtrack is Tee Lopes vs Jun Senoue.

[@retrosonichero7995]

Honestly, yeah. It would be awesome to have you cover the entire OST. I'm more than happy to wait, regardless of how long it takes. As someone who's learning how to be a musician and audio engineer, this video was very informative and interesting.

[@heroicgangster9981]

I really would want to see Classic Sonic master Genesis era music if it tries to be Genesis era. Though I really would want to more so see CD-Saturn-Mania era music from Classic Sonic from now on.

[@aneess]

People keep saying this is a hit or miss soundtrack, which is a totally valid opinion, but to me it felt more like an inconsistent one. It basically has 3 moods: Mania-ish, Sonic 4-ish and remixed Genesis-ish if that makes sense. None of these is bad, but having to constantly switch from one to another weakens the game's identity, and consequently makes the experience less memorable

[@LavaCreeperPeople]

So in summary, the soundtrack is kinda disappointing but alright.

[@MaverickXZero]

I never thought that the Sonic 1 bonus stage could get more haunting but here we are. At least we can say that it’s a tribute! It’s definitely a soundtrack that has potential but missed the mark.

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

Haunting? I haven’t watched through this vid yet for context, but that special stage theme is super dreamy & enjoyable. It’s a track I recommend getting high to.

[@MaverickXZero]

@@ViltrumiteIsRite99 I guess that’s one way to enjoy it lol

[@SaturnsHub]

Sonic Triple Trouble had a 16-bit remake by fans recently, and that game proves you can have genesis instrumentation that still sounds good and not off-putting. In fact a lot of fan-made Sonic music proves that in my opinion.

[@showwwmie]

The Main Menu Theme sounds like a recycled or unused Sonic 4 Theme

[@big_bingy]

Lagoon City and Speed Jungle would be very interesting! Lagoon City has some great callbacks to Hydrocity and some of the Saturn Sonic OSTs (especially 3D Blast Saturn) that would be cool to hear your take on, and Speed Jungle is filled with tracks that aren’t bad, but are incredibly inconsistent. Otherwise, I just like Sky Temple and Frozen Base Act Tails so I’d be interested to hear your take on those!

[@miadatenshi9903]

Sand Sanctuary has the best theme in the game

[@Natavrium]

I’d really like to know what you think of Press Factory Act 1 because it’s been pretty divisive among people on whether it’s good or not with the way it sounds. I personally think it fits the level but the first 5 seconds or so are kind of Sonic Spinbally again I think it fits though.

[@purpleghost9020]

I’d love for you to react to the rest of this soundtrack as well as react to some other sonic soundtracks, particularly ones that get mixed reception from fans like Lost World or Forces since those soundtracks have some fantastic songs on them but everybody just seems to dismiss them.

[@kxngsquarters5802]

I was so confused how there was generally good music and then there was Lagoon City Act 2. How is there a big contrast within a soundtrack?

[@hypno18s]

Definitely want to see more on Sonic Superstars it truly is mixed Musically and it must be shown so Jun receives fair Musical criticism. 😅

[@Mattmann97]

At this point I'm genuinely curious if Jun Senoue cares even a little when producing sonic music, specifically classic sounding tracks. These "Sonic 4" type songs have always fallen flat to me, and I'm no musician but its 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒚 noticeable when paired with Tee Lopes in this game. I respect what he's done in the past but I hope they keep him off future projects if this is the best he's got.

[@Icilowan]

I really appreciate this video. Like, I dont understand a lot of the hate this game is getting and one of the things is the soundtrack but you broke it down and now I kinda get it a lil bit more. But I think this is still a good game soundtrack and all.

[@dangerdantheone]

Yeah, I heard Death By Glamour soon as you played the keys

[@elegant_lilligant]

Jun Senoue is great at making live recorded stuff and vocal tracks, but he has this weird obsession with trying to replicate Genesis woundfont in THE weirdest way possible that honestly butchers the songs. Sonic 4's music was exactly that and though Episode 2 has _some_ good ones the overall OST is just forgettable, which is something INSANE to say about a Sonic OST. And now we have Superstars where Jun's music might as well be considered stuff for a scrapped Sonic 4 Episode 3 OST. I love Jun a lot but GOOD GOD someone has to take away the pseudo-Genesis soundfont away from him

[@IgnatiusBlaze4]

Title Screen, and especially the 2 drum beats of the menu reminds me of Sonic 4 which... isn't an amazing start off the bat. While sure Mania's is chiptunes it still has that oomph, and not like it couldn't be done. Heck look at the Splash Hill remix from 3 years ago by Jun Senoue and Tee Lopes who did work both in Mania and here in Superstars (not to mention Hyper Potion in Mania and Superstars), so... we know they can. Then yeah Bridge Island is good... but not in love with it, feels like it's held back, and I think you did well to help me understand why. Even your keyboard, sounds like it's hitting the things more fluid and better. It's not bad, not mid a 5/10, it's... good 6, maybe a high 6 or 7/10 if you're just in the mood for it that day. Maybe compare the mini boss theme to Triple Trouble since it is a big inspiration for Superstars too... granted still not great lol, even comparing the fan remake version of Fang's theme. I also wouldn't say bad, it's boppin... but does lack soul, which is what music is, especially for video games. I like to say that, if the characters are the heart, the genre the mind, then the music for the game is the soul, that gives it life. This... is like that, it's a zombie, soulless, no0t bad but... repetitive and meh. Weird special stage music sounds more like a mini boss music... oh now that just, lol why'd you have to do that, now I won't unhear Death by Glamour lol. I do feel like I have heard it before, not that, but from some other boss or mini boss, my mind is going to Mario, maybe Zelda? Then it does sound more like a special stage at the 2nd part of it, around 20:45. 24:19... Mario Galaxy took me a while, but it's like they meshed Mario Galaxy and the special stage from Sonic 4 episode 1. 25:05.... oh................. oh noooo, nooooooooooooo, that's just Sonic 4's boss music. I love the drum beat kind of sound at the end but... that doesn't do anything for it if the majority of the song is that bland generic Sonic 4 sounding tune. Then yeah while the drum beat sounds good... it is also just a typical drum beat, in fact it's not that different from my typical testing of the system I used to do to make sure cymbals, snare, etc were working right. I mean to be fair I haven't been in music, a percussionist, since I was in high school about a decade ago... I'm super out of practice and yet I think I could still do better. Yeah... to wrap up it's not bad just... when you look to the future, are these songs going to be what anyone turns on in their spare time just to jam out to music? Like I happily listen to Sonic songs when I'm working, mowing, Open Your Heart, Living in the City, Escape From the City, What I'm made of, Dreams of an Absolution, icecap for Christmas, Pumpkin Hill Mystic Cave for Halloween... they're not bad, they're just lacking, seems like some of the soul was sapped out, could be better, and I don't see myself turning them on to jam out to in the future. Not bad, mid to good which, I mean isn't inherently bad... it's just for the history of Sonic music in the gaming world, that isn't a good thing, that is one of the 3 biggest draws to this franchise compared to so many other game franchises, is the amazing music. I wouldn't bat an eye if Mario had mid music, Mega Man, Castlevania generic spooky spoopy monster music WHOOOOOW, Sonic having mid music though... not a good thing (not to bash on those titles either, again, music is the soul of video games, just it's more than that for Sonic).

[@Bllue02]

I will mention the songs using the genesis drums/soundfont are made and produced by Jun Sunoue, who is the guitarist in Crush 40 and made or was a big part of most of the tracks for the adventure style games. He also made the tracks for Sonic 4, which is why it’s such a jarring difference. Jun is a great composer but he doesn’t know how to produce “classic style” Sonic music without just taking the OG sound font and somehow choosing the worst sounds possible

[@lorissirol2684]

I'm so disappointed in the soundtrack, there is some good songs, but most of the time during the game I was SO annoyed by the music, how can a Sonic game mess up music seriously. The boss theme especially is hell, it's legit the worst thing I swear to god, it sucks even more when the boss take such a long time to beat. I love the music of the classic games, I love the music in Mania and I most Sonic games. And I don't know why they messed up so many times in this game : the presentation of the game is "Modern Classic Sonic" why do you have to bring back the genesis sounds it's like they don't even know what they were doing, some modern tracks, some with old sounds, throw a melody you've arleady heard in Sonic 2, make stages longer but make the act themes shorter, like WTF. Even the way it's mixed, like this really is not good at all. Some of the tracks were great but honestly, it doesn't saves the game. Espacially when just before Superstars came out, I played Metroid Zero Mission, Sonic 3&K, Rayman Origins, Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze. Like these are 2D titles that nailed it, presentation, soundtrack, gameplay. If you are not a Sonic fan, don't bother with Sonic Superstars

[@TyvenPayne-sv6gw]

After Sonic 4 episodes 1 & 2, he can't make good music anymore. Its really saddening when you realize his first game he worked on was Sonic 3 alone, where me made bangers. He should just stick to the adventure era. I'm not hating on Jun he makes great music for some good and bad games, but the music he makes now, unacceptable because most sonic OST's are 10/10

[@UGNPFU]

Sonic Team just needs to go fire Jun Senoue. You can tell that Jun Senoue has a professional chip on his shoulder against Tee Loops. Sonic 4, Sonic Origins add-on tracks plus New Super Sonic Team (Jun), and Now Superstars, this man is the worst.....

[@phoggypsych]

The Sonic Superstars soundtrack sounds like someone trying to make a Sonic 3 "best of" soundtrack, but they don't have the copyright to the soundtrack, so they had to change them a bit. Also, the mixing in the game proper sounds very flat. It's also really weird seeing all of these fully "3D" models and have none of them make *any* sounds.

[@IgnatiusBlaze4]

Yeah.... sorry new to your channel, wanted to see someone with music experience give it a look. I haven't played the game yet but... 1 of the cardinal sins to a Sonic game, all games, no matter how bad, have good music. Sonic fans are music lovers, everything in your intro, I think all Sonic fans can agree with lol. So if Superstars isn't great... that... isn't a good thing, even if the soundtrack is mid, that's bad for the Sonic brand. I've heard different things from different reviews, curious to see your opinions.

[@АлександрПеремитин-о1я]

Sonic Superstars files has Early version of Bridge Island Zone Act 1 made by Jun Senoue, and it's sounds very bad, like unused track from Sonic 4.

[@misterholmes221]

To sum up the ost. Inconsistent and unnecessary sounds. Otherwise I think the melodies are good for the songs. Just not arranged so well.

[@mljh11]

Why don't they just keep Lopes on 2D games where he can emulate the classic Genesis/MD sounds and Senoue on 3D where he's free to utilize all live instruments

[@mrchinosofexodar]

Sonic Superstars OST is Sonic Team's White Album

[@grahamjhallaudio8198]

The music felt RUSHED. You can tell exactly who did what and does not gel unfortunately 😒

[@noahpauley]

I really feel the songs that are missing and relying too hard on the Genesis are the ones written solely by Jun Senoe. I absolutely love him as a composer but his modern classic sonic music is the most rough in the series. Sonic 4 is a great example of that and people were so scared the whole soundtrack was going to be a rehash of that. Luckily Tee Lopes and the other composers saved this soundtrack and made their songs absolute bangers.

[@Jayden_And_Lailee_Studios]

21:23 I don't care if you call it Hydro-city or Hy-dross-ity, it really doesn't matter to me, but I will continue to call it Hydro-city, and you can not stop me >:)

[@staticplays1871]

I think people are over reacting a little. I played alot of modern games and I find the sound track from older games like sa1 and 2 a little boring besides their final boss music.

[@AmyTheSharmi]

honestly you should make more of these music analysis videos! I really liked to hear you thoughts on the ost since I've a lot of people (specially on twitter) bashing the soundtrack, in my opinion it's not the worst ever, like we've had sonic chronicles and sonic eraser (which tee lopes actually remastered for fun), but it's still very boring at times and there's not a lot of energy going on in some of the tracks, while others are just oozing with style and depth. Also a cool name for the new era of classic sonic I've heard somewhere (J's reviews I think) is the neo classic sonic era

[@jubbalub]

i just think it's a huge shame they decided to vary the arrangements so much. The first six levels (minus Sky Temple) all sound very cohesive and sound like they came from the same game, and then after that it just falls apart and becomes very disjointed. The compositions themselves are solid. I particularly like Golden Capital Zone act 2.

[@BraviaGames]

YES! I am sure I can speak for others when I say that we want you to react to the rest of the soundtrack pleas! Great video, can't wait for the next one!

[@Milesprower2305]

The Genesis drum is like the Green Hill of the Sonic OSTs... Stop reusing it Sega, please.

[@ace360driver]

Hearing someone talk about how great the Sonic 3 and Knuckles ost is just music to my ears man 😌

[@TRON0314]

Lagoon City Act 2 music is amazing.

[@MyStellarSpace]

You have to listen to Pinball Carnival Act 2

[@ddduv]

Haven't gone through all the vid but I just LOVE how you play to Bridge Island, it's so cool seeing you just JAM over something!

[@lse2]

check out my sonic covers on my main channel!

[@DubiousDepthsRadio]

​@@lse2can you please do a video on sonic cd Best soundtrack outta any classic sonic game 🙏🏼

[@ddduv]

@@lse2 of course man! Big fan!

[@relld05]

Dang man, you make some incredibly GREAT points. I see though youve only hit on a couple zones. I think if you make a 10 minute video on like 1 or 2 zones alone you'd make bank. Sonic music is a huge part of the experience. We also need Sega to realize that the Genesis -era snares and synths are tired. Give Tee Lopes the keys, let Tomoya keep the Modern stuff (which he absolutely killed it on Fronteirs) Sidenote: I would love to hear your take on Pinball Carnival act 1 and definitely act ii, which is easily one of the best Classic Sonic tracks of all time

[@GlitchNooob]

Should listen to pizza tower ost