Opera Singer REACTS to "Absolutio Absoluta Absolutissime"

[@MarcoMeatball]

I went back and listened to the more crunchy sections of some of the other boss themes I've really enjoyed and what I've come to discover is that they are tied to melody. Every single one has a melodic inference that supports the pre-existing melody - Tartaglia whale noises assist the music, Raiden is fully embedded in it, La signora doesn't have it, but it has the electric guitar, Scaramouche has it but it's connected to the melody of the inazuma theme so it mixes the organic with the inorganic, this to me, is just noise. Someone made a good point here in the comments that it sounds like snapping or breaking, and I could hear that. I like the theme. Really didn't mind when the edm is mixed in with the vocals, because it's melodically forward. The end is just eh to me. But guess what: that's okay. It's good to understand why we like and dislike things.

[@Aona_Music]

Gonna be critical here so beware Coming from the perspective of both a composer and professional sound designer, the earlier sections in the first phase to me do a wonderful job of building tension, dread, fear. It's not as instrumentally dense as earlier boss themes, but I feel like it works in her favour. For me, after the transformation passage, it's honestly just a downhill slope. Genshin has PROVEN that it can combine electronic elements with orchestral composition (take scaramouche's theme or all devouring narwhal), but it's constantly apparent that their sound design choices often fall flat, or feel *incredibly* dated. They also have a big problem with always making any kind of non traditional acoustic drums sit WAY in the back of the mix, which completely destroys any kind of rhythmic tension and propulsion. It's a general rule of thumb in electronic music that your drums are supposed to be the driving force of your music, but Genshin often tends to ignore this, letting their instrumentation to sit in the front, and the rest kind of getting pushed to the side. As for Phase 2 in this piece, the opening passage is wonderful, I love the contrallo latin solo and the supporting elements that surround it, but once it comes to the build and rise in tension, for me drum choice does *not* work. Often times genshin likes to use kicks that lack much transient information, going for a more 808-esque sound. This time they went with a more boomy kick, which *sort of* works, but just feels off. And again, a lot of the buildup drums are buried in the mix, only the kick really makes it through. You also noticed in the video, the release of tension is delayed by 1 bar, which really, *really* affects the transition into whatever.... that.. is. Don't get me wrong, I understand having the edm elements and sound design focus is important contextually, but man. The sound design choice is just bad. A more percussive, transient heavy sound would have fit SO much nicer in the narwhal theme. The stuttering also just does not work. It pulls you away from the flow of the entire piece, and when the next sounds do arrive, you're presented with a harsh, abrasive, noisy sustain, which when accompanied with the orchestral backing, again does not work *at all* . There are so many technical things I could list off of the top of my head that would have made the sound design they *did* use actually work. They could even simply have done what they did for the previous themes, where the sound design plays a role in the composition and blends with the melodic and thematic elements. Here however, it's just seemingly kind of slapped in for the sake of filling in space. For me though, the sounds themselves just don't fit at all. And I think your reaction solidified it perfectly. I can see where they were trying to go, but it doesn't work.

[@DavidTran-zq7iq]

@@Aona_Music What’s even going on over there? Shouldn’t they be hiring talented individuals instead of what sounds to be amateurs; at least for the electronic parts.

[@fffwii9531]

i was honestly extremely disappointed at alrecchino's character demo theme. i didnt know why but now i know thanks to you that its because of the melody all along.

[@CranstonBosh]

@@Aona_MusicIt’s that newer Lunan guy . He does more of this super electronic stuff but it isn’t very good . His more orchestral work is great though he should stick with just that

[@Aona_Music]

@@DavidTran-zq7iq Honestly, for me, I was incredibly excited for this theme. And it's a great listen. It has very high notes. but it also has incredibly low ones that just drag the whole thing down for me. I don't know how the music teams work between Genshin and HSR and HI3, but man whenever genshin touches anything that isn't traditionally orchestrated it's actually infuriating how hard it falls off when compared to their other brands which are able to do it *seamlessly*

[@yangxiaolong7681]

Having a children’s choir was GENIUS for her

[@xxForgottenx]

It makes sense as well.

[@CyberShrekko]

Bondrewd vibe intencifies

[@tortline]

Having a children's choir was OBVIOUS for her

[@amandapanda2142]

@@tortline Yeah, like, if there wasn't a choir everyone would be going "They should've added a choir"

[@Justsomerandomweeb121]

​@@CyberShrekko The Rumble of Scientific Triumph *intensifies*

[@fascinatedhomie]

Holy shoot I did her quest today and i saw a lot of hate for her theme saying how edm is out of place but you’re like the only one who actually understood the use and the ENTIRE motive of the song. Hats off to you dude, can’t wait for you to be dvorback

[@MarcoMeatball]

My pleasure. Everything has a purpose. It's our job to think about why and not just be passive listeners

[@JoeEver123]

I love her boss fight and music. But the quest to get there was disappointing imo

[@Nelly_Dee]

I didn't mind the quest but found it a weird choice for Hoyoverse to have released the animation before​ it instead of shortly after or in it. @teeman7137

[@CountMonsparkle]

I haven't done the quest yet but I hope she will have some evil and dark moments. All the characters in Genshin are just so nice and light and happy that it would be a really welcome change of pace if she breaks the mold in that aspect.

[@Reader999]

​@@CountMonsparklewell, that happens and it will get darker.

[@wodwodli]

I love that you pointed out that the edm section should be reserved for abyss-related chracters. Funnily enough, arlecchino is a descendant of the crimson moon dynasty of khaenri'ah, which is where her powers and glitchy aesthetic come from, so the edm section is very much thematically fitting.

[@imjustgdcg96]

"arlecchino is a descendant of the crimson moon dynasty of khaenri'ah" Source?

[@zeldablaze5178]

@@imjustgdcg96 Voice lines

[@mistressofdreams6031]

@@imjustgdcg96the game, her title, the lore behind her eyes, the black starting from her arms, and as someone else said…voice lines

[@mrmrmr672]

That might explain why Traveler recognized the Crimson Moon during the story quest

[@z33iihh]

In a way doesn't really makes much sense because Kaeya doesn't have EDM in his theme music, even though hes also " from " Khaenri'ah. You could tell me that this idea of EDM belonging only to abyss related characters came up later, but still feels weird.

[@MarcoMeatball]

There's been some confusion: I am NOT stopping talking about Genshin and MiHoYo Games' music. I'm just taking a long break from PLAYING them.

[@zulzineloso7531]

Its fine to take breaks and its better because you can get to see other games and music

[@osssu]

Will you be running the newest world quest when it goes live? I recommend it, lots of beautiful music in that quest

[@Sam-bd1me]

That's fine we'll see you at Natlan I'm sure!

[@Balbaneth]

We are here for your coverage on music never feel like you have to play the games!

[@kaizenn_no]

The best you can do! ☺️

[@dividualizer]

Well, so far, EDM has represented other worldliness, which arlechino has cause of her glitchiness and curse so I don't think it's misplaced.

[@lucastavares5103]

its still the worse part of the entire theme

[@yowarrenborids3833]

@@lucastavares5103best part for me though

[@yowarrenborids3833]

@@lucastavares5103as soon as you understand who were composing the music, the Chinese community actually likes it a lot

[@lucastavares5103]

@@yowarrenborids3833 Didnt the chinese like all the other orchestral themes? Why exactly they decided to rely heavily on edm this time around? Whats the logic behind this? Just a question, im not being aggresive or anything

[@JustSomeGuyWithAMug]

​@@lucastavares5103clearly for storytelling purposes

[@jsoimn6812]

I really love that this theme doesn't have a climax. Because that's exactly how the boss fight made me feel. After some fighting, Arlecchino showed us the crimson moon and realized that we are not yet strong enough to face her and just stopped it. And the whole fight was just a test as well. A test of strength for her children. When it ended I was like "damn... That's it? She's too strong? That sucks man", so I like the fact that it's represented in the theme as well with it never reaching a climax (yet still showing incredible power)

[@ThatOneGanyuMain]

Maannn I for one really enjoyed it. It's about time Traveler took a clear cut L. Yeah, Traveler helps a lot, but let's be honest: Tartaglia? He dipped. Osial? Ningguang, Xiao, and the adepti. Shogun? Kazuha double vision blocked her attack that was weak because Inazuma city was behind him anyways. Ei? Miko and the other humans' wills made her falter. Scaramouche? Nahida's 168 samsaras and the knowledge of Sumeru's people. Whale? Childe and Neuvillette. Traveler's been way in over their heads for a while now. They need to get stronger somehow because I don't see how they would last by themselves and at this point it feels like Arle will be an endgame villain.

[@IbbyMelbourne]

I also like how you don't even beat her in the weekly boss fight, she just teleports away

[@eduardogc1404]

​@@ThatOneGanyuMain i mean. We did beat tartaglia. I guess he hasn't mastered foul legacy yet we still beat him. We also bet la Signora by ourselves but that's as far as we went. We couldn't beat arlecchino and our ass is not beating Capitanno anytime soon. I am 3 months late to this comment 💀

[@Vaan-wcson]

19:05 thats literally what Arlecchino always taught to her children and also one of her Ascension voice line "Anger makes you impulsive, and sorrow causes you to waver. Always maintain control over your emotions."

[@archerdamo9160]

"EDM should be only for abyss" Well... Shes THECNICALLY related to it.

[@impureEnigma]

Well yes and no, EDM might mean abyss but so far it relates to outworldly presence as Narwal is not inherently abyssal, and Arlecchino's title is Cinder of Two Worlds' Flames so so far we have that, but you are correct, god I wish more people understood that

[@dcbdafbngdn]

basically edm is for the quantum. arlecchino does not appear to be closely related to it compared to skirk and the narwhal... sure, incorporate edm but tone it down a little

[@JustArei]

Childe's phase 2 theme is kinda more fits to the abyss imo

[@Naauhen]

@@impureEnigma She has the curse of the Crimson Moon (the 1st dynasty of Khaenri'ah) from the Eclypse Dynasty of Khaenri'ah (the X, hands/arms and ult thingy, even in her demo appears the EYE). So probably she's kinda related to the abyss (or beyond Teyvat, the continent) in some way.

[@harmonybutnomoney]

@@dcbdafbngdn considering that the world is something like a simulations, and Arlecchino seems to be written down as both alive and dead, I think it fits. It's like as if Irminsul doesn't know what to do with her.

[@AHylianWarrior]

The phase 2 EDM sounds like her breaking. She suffers from a curse very similar to what turned the people of Khaenri'ah which you could see as abyss magic. It causes her form to glitch out with one of her idles having her constantly switch poses between these glitches. The sounds during the EDM part sounds like underneath an iceberg as it breaks, a solid structure losing its integrity. It also sounds a little like giant puppet strings snapping.

[@MarcoMeatball]

I could hear that. It does sound like breaking.

[@id10terror15]

I see it less as a break and more that we as the player have reached too deep. We’ve seen something we shouldn’t have, something horrible and unnatural. I know this isn’t Sumeru, but the EDM sounds like forbidden knowledge almost. It has this tone and flow that is broken up by glitches and distortions because we cannot comprehend what it is, we aren’t meant to.

[@yowarrenborids3833]

@@id10terror15for those who play her story quest: the phase 2 is just like she causally fighting with happiness 😅😂 so the edm sound like freedom to me

[@yowarrenborids3833]

I rewatch the cutscence, Why i feel like the edm part is the fear of the challengers facing her due to her absolute powerful and how strong she was and traveller this time got absolutely cooked, not even close.

[@kishalayroy4978]

I like how you linked the sounds to puppet strings snapping but to me it sounds more like something that otherworldly creatures are often shown as, just take a listen to the sounds of the MUTO from godzilla 2014 or the crab squid from subnautica. You'll see what I mean. It sounds like they're trying to replicate that kind of a sound. Another thing that if you look at how giant spider sounds are often represented in media it is always a sort of a big rip rip rip rip kind of a sound and given her spider motifs it feels like they were trying to fit that in there as well.

[@shiiwi]

I understand how some ppl would find the EDM out of place. For me, I interpret it as her glitching and the representation of her Khaenri'ahn background.

[@Nana_734]

Ikr? Its one of my favorite part 😭

[@jonawustkamp9811]

Same :3

[@Metronomeblue]

I agree! I feel like the EDM isn't there in her trailer, it isn't there in her animated short, because Arlecchino as a character does have these very tormented, stringent themes and this protagonist's pain, but it's so present here and in her demo specifically because these moments are about HOW she fights- using her curse. EDM in Genshin IS more present any time there's something abyssal or kaenri'ahn, which does fit here specifically. It's representative of a particular narrative theme and a facet of her character.

[@cocktail4154]

for me that would've been a very good interpretation if only they didn't spam it in every single recent weekly boss, but for now i find it a little repetitive comparing to the quality of final phases that were delivered by Yu-Peng Chen

[@RangeCMYK]

​@@cocktail4154It's because recent bosses all have otherworldly/technological qualities. Scara is a literal mech, the Whale is from another world, and Arle's glitching and curse has many similarities with the abyss. Once the bosses start being more Honkai-like, so will their music.

[@nefylia4037]

After doing Arlecchino's quest i am once again ASTOUNDED at how much you can glean from just the music. I think its a testament to both how well the music is composed and how well you understand music as an artform. For example, when you say "its not about murder or anger, its about sorrow" that is something that exactly ties in with her quest.

[@s0_real]

He’s literally a music translator

[@IcyPandaGirl]

the edm is representing that she's not of teyvat. if you read perinheri, which is an allegory to how she was born, she is originally from the crimson moon dynasty of khanriah and their orphanage to raise descenders. the only other times we hear the edm is when facing characters from the abyss and khanriah

[@Enlotherover]

I love that they are adding more EDM pieces. Something about classic opera and EDM mixed together really tickles a specific part of my brain.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Ya it is super neat!!

[@justinjamin]

If you ever get back to playing Genshin, the new Petrichor area of Fontaine is heavily based on Roman themes and music themes. There's a lot of interesting music there.

[@sappyzap]

the Canticles of harmony quest had BEAUTIFUL music at the end and it's so touching 😭

[@chiaki7099]

The child choir in the beginning in like representing the orphanage she runs then the low alto in the second phase is to like represent Arlecchino herself

[@chiaki7099]

I also find it cool how each fatui has their own voice part Childe: bass Scara: tenor Singora: saparano Arlecchino: alto

[@DR_REDACTED]

16:27 The EDM very much has a place in Genshin music as long as it will be used for the things they have used it before. That being things from outside of Teyvat.

[@aperfectlynormalinternetus6715]

Composed by Dimeng Yuan, composer of Die Mittsommernacht-Fantasie and Fontaine’s main theme among many others. The involvement from Yu-Peng Chen probably only comes from his prior establishment of the Fatui and House of the Hearth/Fontaine Travail leitmotifs, and he likely wasn’t actually involved in these tracks.

[@ikec-pw5sb]

Die Mittsommernacht-Fantasie was Yijun Jiang, not Dimeng Yuan

[@aperfectlynormalinternetus6715]

@@ikec-pw5sb Huh, strange, I must have misremembered very hard. Anyway, Dimeng Yuan also composed Yoimiya and Furina’s demos, The Final Feast, the Chasm archon quest cutscene and La Vaguelette. Yijun Jiang is an amazing composer though, and very underrated. For me he has the highest percentage of hits next to Yu Peng Chen.

[@ikec-pw5sb]

@@aperfectlynormalinternetus6715 It's understandable imo. The misconception comes from the fact that YPC composed Fischl's Theme and Dimeng Yuan arranged it for her character trailer back in Genshin 1.x. Yujin Jiang rearranged it into Die Mittsommernacht-Fantasie for 2.8 Also, I completely agree. He's my second favourite composer still in Hoyoverse.

[@Zenitello]

I haven't completed her quest yet, but I think EDM represents her curse, which is associated with the abyss, which is associated with other outworld stuffs in Teyvat, which in game represents by EDM like at All-Devouring Narwhal 2nd phase

[@yowarrenborids3833]

No she’s just having fun, being the only weekly boss so far not being defeated, traveller not even close, 4v1 still lose completely lmao

[@harmonybutnomoney]

@@yowarrenborids3833 To be fair, Scara killed us 168 times in the samsara

[@yowarrenborids3833]

@@harmonybutnomoney he didnt,.. nahida reload the save 168 times, that we had no idea. After the 168th time, she woke up our memories

[@issacclarke4194]

​@@yowarrenborids3833 she predicted/recorded 168 possibility of scara killing us and gave us knowledge of all those battle to help us. Not to mention that nier automata esque bot that she gave us which helped break scara's defenses in the first place

[@yowarrenborids3833]

@@issacclarke4194 u need to know, she gather all knowledge of sumeru people through the.. internet thing after sharing the 168 times of traveller fighting scara

[@fondrive]

that first impression at the start of phase 2 is so spot on, completely nailed it

[@Jaynat_SF]

I don't know if it's fair to say that Genshin is "going in the direction" of EDM and electronic music, those elements have been in the game's OST since almost the very beginning, and it's always been reserved for the strange, alien and unnatural things. From Childe's Foul Legacy, Withering Zones, Primordial Water contamination, whatever the hell the All-Devouring Narwhal had inside its belly, and now this, to name a few. Sometimes it's a mix of EDM with the standard soundscape of the region you're in, signaling some sort of corruption of nature, and sometimes it's pure, unadulturated dubstep when you're facing the alien thing head on. In my opinion the artificial sound quality of these sections are SUPPOSED to be extremely jarring and feel out of place in the game's OST, signaling to the player that "this is not natural, this is wrong, I should not see this, this should not be here, maybe it shouldn't exist at all, yet here it is." I'm not saying one must like it, I am also not a fan of EDM in general, but I still think that it has a purpose. I agree that they should keep it to those alien things, though, but if the story will take us to the Abyss or beyond the firmament or to the moon or whever those alien things come from then I suspect it'll become more common overtime.

[@MarcoMeatball]

absolutely, I dont' disagree about edm having purpose. I said that in the video, too. :)

[@ultramanbadman3618]

I am also not a fan of edm but I'm embracing it only because it serves a purpose. The dubstep in it might refer to arlec's inner rage or her otherworldly flames inside. But then I also think likewise yours, is there gonna be edm everywhere once we descend the abyss? Would hoyo just gonna bring in tomorrowland if we gonna fight pierro just because he is a badass khaenrian? Such questions really bother me. EDM does represent corruption in the music. IMO, I think it's fair to say genshin is steering to electronic music. They are really testing out different elements of dj in their pieces.

[@ATMEIDAREYAIDOUBLEDAREYA]

(Warning, in my comment i talk about Arlecchino’s origin, so if you don’t want to spoil yourself here’s ur warning) I absolutely agree, personally i enjoy EDM but am not the biggest fan of it so when i heard Arlecchino’s theme for the first time i was really thrown off, but once i learned that Arlecchino is a descendant from Khaenri’ah’s Crimson Moon Dynasty, that she has some weird curse placed on her and the fact that as indicated by her glitching in her idle animation and after using her burst it is very likely that Irminsul considers her a sort of "error" in Teyvat i feel like the EDM actually fits her, and ngl after listening to it more her theme may be my favorite weekly boss theme in Genshin now lol Also quick side note, i love that you say "whatever the hell the All-Devouring-Narwhal had inside it’s belly" because like yeah what the hell is that thing lmao, im pretty sure we never got any in-game confirmation/hint as to what it could have been lol

[@Shinransa]

To me the problem here is not the presence of EDM but rather the execution. Maybe listening to Vanguard Sound, Cosmograph and other EDM songs from HOYO-MIX spoiled me but this theme doesn't make me feel something even though I really enjoy EDM, I'm not vibing with it and I can't explain why.

[@VespaPiscis]

Yeah, the industrial edm seems to be the style they go for when representing anything that's related to Abyss. Genshin boss themes have always involved a fusion of traditional music (opera and classical) and modern music (rock and edm). The traditional style seems to represent something organic, and the modern style represents something inorganic. The edm part of Childe's and Arlecchino's themes are both accompanied with singing in the background, but for all-devouring narwhal's 2nd part, it's pure edm. Interestingly, it seems that only Spiral Abyss theme 1 contains anything that resembles an edm. Maybe they didn't thought about the idea of using industrial edm as a representation of abyss back then. I don't know.

[@kors6kay]

i really enjoyed the strings at 11:30 as immediately to me it signifies that this fight is just a dance to her. it has a very 'ball-room' sound to it. classical and graceful and shes completely in her comfort zone. this feeling has been her normality

[@cyclotimy]

I believe edm is not for abyss, it is more for entities that come from outside of teyvat or maybe unnatural to teyvat

[@yowarrenborids3833]

Nah too much, she’s just having fun by being the only boss not defeated by traveller, traveller not even close, 4v1 lose completely😂 lmao traveller suck

[@dcbdafbngdn]

@@yowarrenborids3833 true, it may mean we will not fight any harbinger above her either (at least not without major help)

[@fabiansyahjusuf9896]

​@@yowarrenborids3833you are so mean bro 🤣. But yeah I get it, Hoyo really should upgrade the Traveler. I mean there are beings that are compared or at least a bit stronger than Arlecchino. Like Capitano, Columbina or Tsaritsa

[@harmonybutnomoney]

Could be also related to Irminsul. We heard similar electronic sounds at the end of Nahida's demo, when the Samsara glitched out.

[@prince_8bit]

THIS it is for outer beings. There are many instances proving this

[@GoatTowerKing]

I loved her story quest and all the promo material for her. She's definitely somebody at Hoyo's favorite.

[@GoatTowerKing]

Your comments on how it never really reaches a climax makes more sense in the context as you play out her quest as well.

[@bluezonertb4139]

​@thexatronantch I just wish the traveler used at least one element just so the loss could really feel like a loss, instead we fought with no elements and a dull blade like c'mon.

[@sergiohenrique3551]

​@@bluezonertb4139 but this is how he fights almost all the time, and still he won against strong opponents, he losing to arlecchino was strong for me.

[@darkfir3.]

yu peng chen was credited due to the fatui leitmotif i think

[@virtdevel737]

As far as I know, the reason why Yu Peng Chen got involved in this music is probably just because the original theme was composed by him in the travail trailer.

[@qpopuiuzmnmb]

No YPC isn't involved in this music. The composer credit is copyright/contractual. He composed the Fatui theme used in this track, but the arrangements were done by Hoyomix composers. Nobuo Uematsu isn't involved in 98% of FF music nowadays, but he still gets credited as original composer in many tracks. Same idea. He composed a lot of legacy themes, which gets incorporated into modern tracks by other composers.

[@virtdevel737]

@@qpopuiuzmnmb Yeah that's exactly what I meant. He is not ”directly” involved. Thanks for clarifying.

[@tipsfedora3714]

i knew you'd love this boss theme man. its one of those themes where its kinda like fromsoft games where the nuance in her character really shows in the use of instrumentation and the children's choir, the electronic section having these warping, velvety, imposing sawtooth waves, it all really tells her story without any lyrics or context. if you've played the story quest for this, that mellow section with the children's choir will definitely make way more sense then and the scene for it is badass and i know the joke is overused at this point but man WE ARE SO DVORBACK! cant wait to see you get the french horn item in the game haha

[@atoafriend]

I think part of the reason the EDM didn't work in the first part was b/c it didn't really feel like it was fully incorporated into the music, almost like it was more of an afterthought. Whereas in the 3rd phase, even though the EDM is more prominent, it doesn't sound out of place b/c all the sounds fully mesh. Also low female voices are so underrated, I'm so glad that's Arlecchino's sound cue.

[@kepokepo4979]

14:29 oh my god you so right, it is female singer in live performance

[@priscoamador807]

I love how one of the things that you didn't like about the theme, i.e. that it doesn't explode in emotion and is always contained is so in character with Arlecchino because, even though she cares about her children, she always has to act as the "cold and heartless Father" and she even teaches them to not be controlled by emotions because "anger makes you irrational, sorrow makes you waver" amazing theme and as always, your analysis made me appreciate it even more. Keep up the amazing work!

[@McNugge.]

This is one of those songs that feel ".....huh?" at first, and THEN, get progressively better. I had the same thing happening to me with "My War" from AoT. After knowing the lore and world building as well as the lyrics, my love immediately grew exponentially. Same here with Arlecchino's theme. Knowing her background and the lyrics to her theme made me love it even more. I'd even argue that it's my favourite rn😂

[@eloynesun7600]

Hi! Thank you for reacting to this! I also believe the voice on the second phase is a contralto. Something very interesting is that Arlecchino's theme feels more restrained, like a performance. The harbringers are raging in their themes, some more that others. Childe's, Signora's and Scara's second phases are just anger, urgency and various levels of suffering. They also had a hard time during the battle and some were even losing their sense of self (Scaramouche being the prime example). Arlecchino suffered on her backstory, of course, but this theme feels like she is just performing her anger for us. She doesn't fight for survival, she fights for a noble cause. In other words, we survive the fight because she was just making a point XD.

[@Thatmoosecaishen]

yes its a contralto but in the credits she is credited as a mezzo soprano which i think is insane her name is Huiling Zhu

[@Ellie-Angela]

As someone who identifies a lot with Arlecchino, I feel like the EDM part, even beyond just her relationship to the Abyss, also represents us getting a glimpse of that rage, that vengeance, you mentioned... There's even the singing coming back, not even 30 seconds after the EDM starts, as if to sooth what's underneath and bring it back to order, as if to say to herself "No, I can't let this free, not now, it's not how I should do this."

[@chakarasama]

How do u identify with a cursed orphan born and raised to kill their orphan siblings and fake mom. Actually curious 😅

[@kiaraah8124]

Im also curious ​@@chakarasama

[@Ellie-Angela]

@@chakarasama I feel like you focus on the wrong part. I identify with the pressure of expectations - especially of expectations someone put on themselves - to be the pillar, to be the protector, to be the judge, all that while never losing their calm despite having a rough life like those they protect. The level of problems may not be the same, but that's not the important part.

[@mbalazs3544]

I'm pretty much amazed how much knowledge and wisdom can be in analyzing music, your knowledge is impressing sir :D

[@colorlessguard]

the Fatui theme is by far one of my favorite of Genshin’s recurring themes bc of the variety of ways it’s been styled to fit each of the Harbingers we’ve fought so far! Arlecchino’s is definitely my favorite by far (100% NOT biased bc she’s also my favorite Fatui Harbinger lol) from the remaining Harbingers i’ll be curious to see which ones we fight and what hoyo-mix’s take on their version of the theme will sound like! personally i would especially like to hear a Dottore and Columbina boss fight 🙏

[@kali_tea]

There is mostly the House of the Hearth's theme in the first phase tbh

[@colorlessguard]

@@kali_tea yes ik! and that obvs makes sense for Arle but the Fatui theme is also there just like it’s been in every Harbinger boss theme - hence why i made my comment to begin with to highlight the cool differences between each interpretation…

[@kali_tea]

@@colorlessguard Yep, I think it's really cool too ✨

[@kittstarr]

Never hesitate to share your true feelings! Your insight and blind reactions are so insightful and what we fans love! Even if you don't love every aspect of a track, hearing your interpretations of them and what they mean really enriches our own experience with the tracks!

[@bryguy062485]

12:39, that spoken part is probably my favorite section out of ANY Genshin boss theme period. I think the EDM parts are growing on me as well, and I can see why it's there. Is this my favorite? No, but hot DAMN is it a great piece. I think it does what Genshin music does best, and you nailed this in your reaction too. It tells the story of her life, and how she got here. How she feels at this moment, and what her goals are. It's all here in just the music, and that is CRAZY. (But yes, 12:39 is SIIIIICK)

[@glacialfoxx7361]

I enjoy the EDM aspects of the music but I also hope they keep it focused. So far it’s really seemed to identify something otherworldly, and with Arlecchino’s glitching I really feel like there is something around her curse/power that is otherworldly. I know they did some EDM for the fortress which wouldn’t qualify for that description, but i think it tied well into being underwater, surrounded by metal and pipes

[@MrcreeperDXD777]

I mean her title is spoilers "Cinder of TWO Worlds". The two worlds thing is also a part of 4.6's update name too. "Two Worlds Aflame, the Crimson Night Fades"

[@unitedhcks]

This is one character where you feel just as strong playing as her, as she feels fighting against her. I have C2 R1 and she’s amazing. :3

[@ibraheemhashmi352]

"People call me whale" "Why?" "I don't know.. *pulls 1000 wishes* "they just call me whale"

[@unitedhcks]

@@ibraheemhashmi352 not even close to 1k? I only 170 on the weapon banner (I had to get 3 5* weapons ;-;) and 213 for c2 (I won my first 2 50’s and after losing to qiqi got her in 40 pulls) so 383 wishes. Tho I have used another 67 wishes trying to get c3, so 450.

[@Gh.stKng.]

I did her quest right after it updated, and let me tell you, I LOVE IT. It's surely one of my most favorite epic story quests, and the cutscenes are so GOOD. The different styles are exquisite. My favorite cutscene and best by far.

[@dimasrazantira9309]

I noticed that the "ticking heartbeat tempo" started off from the string sections, which is kinda like the base ambience layer behind the melody, but is slowly building up toward the bass, and then followed by the children choir. I think it might explain the uhh bubbling up feeling you mentioned. The ticking tension has always been there, but it becomes gradually more front and present

[@dimasrazantira9309]

only to lead up to Arlecchino's main melody with the cello as the accompanies progressing from a heartbeat tempo to a full march. As if showing that Arlecchino(pictured by the cello melody) becoming the representing voice that represents all those built up tension, and the rest of the choir and orchestra is supporting that one singular voice now

[@emmanuel7489]

14:15 yes, it's a female singer but not a contralto. That's Huiling Zhu, a mezzo. But she's staying in her lower register, which makes it so fitting with Arlecchino's own voice and more masculine personality.

[@potatosalad5880]

What I really like about this is that her boss theme is the only window we have to how she truly feels. She shows absolutely nothing ever, except perhaps controlled dangerous anger when questioning Furina. Even Neuvillette says he cannot feel or discern her emotions. So the turbulence in her boss theme is the only thing we can use to figure out how she truly feels about what’s happened in the past, about whats going on in the present, and about her concern for the future.

[@wilhelmfleming250]

18:23 What I think they were going for here with the edm was to try and replicate the sound of tension being placed on a rope. We see during the boss battle that Arlecchino will sometimes perch herself up on a red line that somewhat resembles a silk strand from a spider's web. I only noticed thanks to my time working in a shipyard, that there is a striking similarity between that edm and the sound of tension being placed on a rope as it desperately tries to keep a ship moored to the pier. Just based on experience by the docks, this sound is very common, but holds a lot of tension in two regards; one being that the rope is physically tested to the point that it cries out in a tone that the edm is reminiscent of, and the other form of tension being mental; knowing that if you're standing too close when that rope finally gives, it could snap through you and kill you in an instant.

[@Thatmoosecaishen]

the fact that the soloist for her second phase is credited a MEZZO SOPRANO. Her name is Huiling Zhu

[@ben-taobeneton3945]

It's a long Boss theme but it was pleasant to hear. You were right, she was and is poised. Throughout the quest, she always maintained her cold, poised stance and didn't slip once. It is incredible how strong it is and unfazed. Talking about the EDM part, maybe it resemblencas a bit of modernity. Because her tragedy was years ago. Or it could be related to her past - roots from where she comes from. From a world / different than her own. Thank you for reviewing this. Spot on. 🙂

[@Alex-dn5ns]

Just here to watch Marco reading music as if it's an open book and be in awe as he just nails every single theme and the character's whole journey from listening to the music. You truly have a gift, my man. I don't know what else to say.

[@C0untersp3ll]

the MV for this track came out a day after this video and yeah the Father singer is a female voice so you got that just from hearing it. I know that you knowing this stuff is your thing so Im not surprised, but still very impressed.

[@MarcoMeatball]

:)

[@alifpatria2135]

What an incredible music indeed. But also, what an equally incredible analysis and giving way to articulate the emotions and feelings that are contained within the this work of art. Hats off and massive respect to you, Good Sir!

[@MarcoMeatball]

❤️

[@sl_enderman]

The EDM symbolizes how she is isn't a perfect part of any aspects of her life, not in the house of hearth, not in fontaine, not in snezhnaya, it's as if she was inserted brutally into this world while she can't coexist with other things and people around her, her character design implies a lot of abyss activity as well, and ofc her power itself is not of any teyvat origins that we know of, she is literally a glitch, going against the current while also influencing a huge portion of her surroundings. Fun fact, one of her idle animations shows her glitching out and blacking out.

[@yowarrenborids3833]

Well, after playing the story quest, I just thinking she’s having fun😂, as soon as she’s the only one who is not defeated among all weekly boss, traveller not even close, it’s a 4v1 still lose wtf

[@yowarrenborids3833]

I’m worrying what traveller can do in Natlan we are literally facing the first of fatui harbingers

[@furinabear]

tbf she is a descendant of the crimson moon dynasty

[@RiptideFlash]

The 2nd phase part is OP asf, ngl

[@sleeplessknight173]

I think edm represents otherworldly powers, not just the abyss. Arlecchino's curse definitely feels like it more otherworldly, and the all devouring narwhal is not from this world either(I don't think it's abyssal). So I felt the edm part of her theme fit well cause it felt like she was letting her curse just run wild and go all out. I feel like this is also why her demo theme is very edm-ish

[@massimilianoreali4398]

The narwhal its a abyssal beast just like durin elynas and the rifthound it was even created by someone that was compared to rhinedottir that is specialized in creating abyssal beasts

[@sgamesyt7188]

I was expecting SO MUCH for your reaction! I also think that it is very different from other Fatui's themes, and that's what it makes so good and unique. Will you do a cover?

[@MarcoMeatball]

no comment.................................................................

[@maldxe]

@@MarcoMeatball I would love to see you cover Arlecchino's theme. I think the voice fits you so well and I really wish to see how you would version it. That's like the first thing I thought when I heard the singer. "Damn that would fit Marco so well."

[@gentlemouse102]

@@MarcoMeatballI am interested.

[@LlamaM2288]

Yes pls do a cover!

[@midas7332]

I think the edm represents how she gliches out sometimes like one of her idle animations and after her burst (which fits in the song cause you hear a snap and then the edm starts, just like her burst)

[@lukoscreyden]

I know sod all about this game, I am here for the good music and the analysis. I cannot speak for how certain musical elements relate to character and story, but I always love hearing different genres of music coming together. It is almost always a magical thing.

[@Koutouhara]

love this reaction! I hope to see your reaction to the live recording the just released!

[@thatonekid4061]

nearing the end of one of the tracks with the electric and coil sounding elements I loved it because of arlecchino's spider elements adding to the piece for me

[@Dctor_John]

13:07 the way he says "huh?" as soon as the click is heard gets me

[@ar_greyheart_4]

5:06 - 5:08 Marco's face when he hears the Organ is like Children when they hear the Bells of the Ice Cream Truck/Cycle 🤤🤣

[@ephermorais6198]

After doing the story quest I understood why there was no peak in the entire boss theme. She was literally holding back because there was no need for her to go all out

[@joaovitorlima9952]

They have been relying on eletronic to symbolize danger and a sense of violence. Every fight against a Harbinger has a subtle nod to the Fatui theme, incorporating it with the Harbinger's personality and background. It's the real good stuff in game music nowadays. All of this just makes me excited for the Tsaritsa theme

[@SuperDuperSoundFX]

i like how you described the music battle perfectly; it doesn't peak because like you say, she doing something she doesn't want to, dominating but never to the fullest of her potential

[@furinabear]

i also think it could be because shes holding back ? as lyney stated after the fight

[@sterlingholben7990]

A thought on the EDM, it feels like whenever we hear the electronic, it's a reflection of terrifying or overwhelming power. In this case, it's at the end of the part of the music telling her story, there's a moment of tense synth, possibly representing the curse of her blood that is the base of her power, perhaps her finally embracing it. EDIT: I wrote that first part before the transformation and second phase, I absolutely stand by my thought, the heavy synth is certainly the overwhelming, terrifying power.

[@ironwoodkid9577]

I've heard you're taking a break from playing hoyoverse games, and i can say that was bound to happen. These games being live service are easy to get burnt out on. It's nice to know you're taking a much needed break and not entirely dropping them. Also, i cannot wait for the music event this patch, Dvorak is back baby

[@dr-Dork]

I've waited for like 3 weeks for this video!!

[@matheuslongbill3525]

Nice video as always Marco!

[@ColaM]

You GOTTA do an analysis on the Remuria theme, it is up there as one of the most beautiful sound tracks that HOYO-MIX has ever put out. Or if you want to experience the moment, you can play the world quest where it plays since it's not as long atleast compared to the Golden Slumber and similar quest lines. Genuinely shocked how out of left field THAT moment was with its quality and frankly the quality of that entire quest Tbh, I think you will LOVE the direction they went with in Remuria overall.

[@Shotzy64]

Listening to this after playing the quest, Marco’s understanding of the theme from only listening gives me the same feeling as Peter B. Parker saying to Miles, “Was that really just a guess?” to the interdimensional hopping of the first Spiderverse movie

[@kakes2002]

I'm so glad someone gets it I was waiting for you to cover this song. Like everyone is saying its underwhelming compared to Scaramouche and signora. she's not an emotionally driven character like those two were. she knows what she wants and she knows how to get it as well. she's a dangerous individual whos past while doesn't have anything to do with us the player her emotions unknown to us is directed toward us. the killing intent you feel throughout the fight is very clear and uncut just like her.

[@kakes2002]

also lemme rephrase im not saying she has no emotion what so ever she just has a cool calm and collected sense about her. also the EDM makes sense to me. In her trailers we see Scaramouche in the fatui coat and we learned in sumeru that irminsul doesn't affect descenders (KA the Traveler) so the theory is that she's not from teyvat at all. and EDM has been in other theme like the narwhal. i think the EDM is meant to represent that she's not of this world she's a descender witch is why she remembers Scaramouche its most likely she's kept it to herself. i think it does throw the the off a bit.

[@IkarosFoxp3]

Omg I absolutely love this piece, except for the very last part, this is a masterwork

[@lollordfrozen]

I believe the synth represents her otherworldly curse and powers. It also fits really well visually with how she displays those powers in the fight itself. Synthetic sounds have a cold and unnatural feel to them, that I think fits very well with the curse. For a battle music the first phase is also uncharactaristically somber. So having that tiny bit of edm in there already is just the right amount of spice for me that it needs.

[@CountMonsparkle]

Very fair critique, I'm glad to see you're not just falling head over ears for every single theme from the game, it really helps give weight to your opinion in a sense. I also agree that La Signora and Scaramouche were far better boss themes. Though I have to say, I do love the cello at 4:09.

[@weebsabix7114]

Honestly the EDM parts for me work. She has a consistent relationship with spiders from her childhood and her second phase boss design, including using threads to hop around and bind us while in combat. And the electronic twangs sound like steel cables (spider webs, wires) getting plucked which is honestly also really imposing like we are trapped in this duel to the death with her and she is the spider ensnaring her prey.

[@tobicatlala]

at 13:15 the drop and metal and web sound reminds me of corallines metal webs near the end of the movie but also arlecchino has a spider like appearance and fall from webs durings her fight

[@isauremilian9492]

Really agree with you on most of the parts! With the EDM some of the parts reminds me of tight strings and ropes when pulled make a sound, which could represent the spider theme of Arlecchino~

[@mushryum7921]

i had a huge developed fondness with the reverb cord noise in the second half with regards to her spider motifs, like a horrid metallic web being strummed ? sort of vision

[@bliblibloo8293]

Great video! I think the reason why she has EDM is because she is cursed by the abyss- we don’t know exactly what it is but it’s sort of similar to the hilichurl curse which likely comes from forbidden knowledge/ the abyss. Maybe another reason why the song sounds like she is keeping something at bay is because her curse consumes her when she gets emotional- and we don’t know what happens when she lets her hold on the curse go.

[@Natsu]

I wonder why the first part of the second phase sounds so triumphant and heroic? There are almost no dissonant chords, the melody on the strings swells without any interruption, and the trumpets accentuate certain rhythmic parts like there's some kind of royalty arriving at the scene. It's almost like that typical scene from a shounen anime, when the MC overcomes the struggles with the power of friendship and faces up the villain once again with the new found strength.

[@yourlocalyanfei]

From I’ve been able to gather, EDM like this is only used for other worldly beings like the Narwhal. Her 2nd phase title is “Cinder of Two Worlds” which implies some form of other worldlyness to her. Plus the stuff with the Perrinherri book and her character story. If you know the lore the edm makes sense, but I won’t blame anyone for not knowing since she did just come out a few days ago

[@mimirtells]

I knew you were going to love this Marco haha! Great analysis as always

[@ArturVeralius]

I feel the EDM works beautifully here for her glitches and, most of all, the sensation of vibrating webs which fits her association with spiders.

[@Haraseikusu]

I do hope that when we do a boss fight in Natlan, Hoyo just go full unga bunga and combine the latino, Inca, Aztec, Maya sutff together so we can fight the boss and belly dance and stuff in the background. That would be so hype 😂😂😂

[@matteogalbusera1149]

Every streamer who knew you said that you would been in love and screaming for this... and they were rigth❤❤❤❤❤

[@LlamaM2288]

That isn't exactly what happened tho? Lol

[@comfyseal903]

I think there is actually a lore reason for the use of EDM through different boss themes. All of the bosses that have EDM have a higher authority or are otherworldly. Examples are Ei, Balladeer, Apep, Narwhal, and now Knave. Ei and Balladeer are Gods, Apep is the Dendro Dragon, and Narwhal and Knave are otherworldly, or at least Knave is just really strong 😅

[@innocente6]

i have been waiting for your reaction on this. thank you

[@trytheimpzt9682]

12:40 My favorite part of phase 2, cause it sounds like an inchantation of some kind of curse maybe. :)

[@AnaCarolina-nd2bc]

Without spoiling too much of her quest, I'm just going to say Marco has once again hit the bullseye in his analysis!

[@xionmemoria]

7:13 it's so accurate, but I couldn't help laughing. Being able to glean "I'm about to take names and kick ass" so accurately from a theme is a testament to the skill of the Genshin team.

[@TheArt1970]

Fun fact: it was a mezzo-soprano singer as the main vocal as depicted in the performance version.

[@areszeudion5153]

The beginning bit reminded me to Requiem Aranea from HxH for the Phantom Troupe introduction.

[@Kable_Wish]

About the EDM side you mentioned, in the game Arlecchino actually has a glitch idle animation, leading her to appear as though she may not be part of Teyvat's reality in a way. We see some evidence of this "unstable" reality when Childe (Tartaglia) is thrown out of the All-Devouring Narwhal's arena by Skirk where you can see her use the Quantum element symbol from Honkai: Star Rail to tear open the fabric of the universe to throw Childe through. I believe the EDM is supposed to support this in a way and portray that there may be more to her than meets the eye. After all, Skirk is a Fatui Harbinger and if she has the capability to tear open the fabric of reality, I can't fathom Arlecchino wouldn't have that capability either given how powerful she is.

[@azurerandomness]

I can’t believe she cast domain expansion on us for that edm section

[@josephryantengco3671]

OH I LOVE HER SO MUCH! This conclusive composition with all the nostalgic renditions of leitmotifs is just so good! ONLY TO FALL SO SHORT when pitted against the release of Octopath Traveler COTC’s Finale in its arc! Try searching Mankind’s Wishes. I JUST HATE HOW BOTH UPDATES DROPPED AT THE SAME EXACT DATE! Both boss fights were so good. The conclusions were satisfying, and the triumph is just so fulfilling! Only to make my mind split which of the two to finish first before getting spoiled lol.

[@termorey]

So, I think the EDM line is a line about her curse, or hidden power. Intertwining with EDM can literally embody the fight against the curse or resistance. And it starts with a heartbeat in a riot of emotions, intertwined with the progression of the curse of an emotion-dependent.

[@xanimee3043]

Personally I think the edm at the end sounds very much like something about to snap. Like a cable wire that is just barely kept together showing how close she is to snapping. Also i think we do need to remember this is a battle theme as much as it is a boss theme. I feel like part of the music kind of plays along with her rapid and precise movements when you fight her. Kind of like fast and organized, like something lethal.

[@highbloodpressure2476]

the first moment i saw her weekly boss reveal in the trailer, i knew marco was gonna have one hell of a field day with this one LMAO

[@TheGeekyRedMage]

Nice analysis Marco. Enjoyed watching this! I can understand not being a fan of the EDM and thinking this really shouldn't be the direction Genshin takes (paraphrasing what you said here). However, while the orchestra will continue to be a thing I imagine, I suspect that EDM tracks will continue to be a thing and become more apparent in the future regardless. Mainly because I'm thinking Genshin is going to go the the route of the trope where the setting seems ancient/archaic at first, but in reality, we're in a sci-fi-esque setting. But we'll see. Will be interesting to see how they'll handle the music in the future if something, at least akin to that is the case.

[@stromy3243]

I believe the reason her music has edm stuff added to it is in reference to her curse and powers. It is entirely possible that said curse does not originate in teyvat and that's why the theme has edm in it in order to keep up with the thematic that otherworldy stuff has it. Like the Narwhal boss.

[@daysand123]

You know a lot of people have found you through videogame music analysis reactions and especially Hoyo tracks when I saw comments on the leaked unfinished version of this over a week ago talking about how you were gonna go nuts over this. Considering even her trailer demo has themes of edm synth orchestra that feels otherworldly and eerie its safe to say that like the theme for the Narwhal, her accompanying tracks are meant to make you feel uneasy and out of place. She is that embodiment of the fear of the unknown in that respect.