Music Theory: Sonic Frontiers (No Spoilers)

[@thealandude9146]

Stillness and Motion is probably the best description of the album ever

[@brandonporter8509]

It really is absolutely amazing album

[@AlexYardZone]

Uploader’s Note: I do not attempt to get inside a composer’s head and determine specific intent. Rather, I am documenting how I experience the music, while quantifying the mechanics of the music theory concepts involved. This demonstrates how the music furthers the goal of the level, while illustrating useful composition techniques for aspiring composers. Transcriptions are approximate. Possibilities are broad. Passion is infinite. -Alex

[@Cliffordlonghead]

First

[@Cliffordlonghead]

Awesome video

[@Cliffordlonghead]

K K

[@PhoenixTwoFiftySix]

One could even say that possibilities are endless?

[@VincentGuillotine]

don't even try to get into the head of the composer for platform masters. they say he's a madman

[@chaosahoyhoy]

Sonic Frontiers is a €60 music album that came with a free Sonic game. The music goes so goddamn hard. Also it's neat to know that the cool little piano ditty thing I like is called an ostinato.

[@ZorrotheArtist]

It’s like the DOOM albums, it’s really nice to include a free game with it.

[@roby4504]

You can say that to 06, but in this case, both the album and Frontiers cost 60€.

[@elibonham4388]

Legit, undefeatable, break through it all and lost your flame is amazing. I also love the cyberspace music. Thr island music is great too over all amazing soundtrack😊

[@EnnZedder]

I'd be very keen on a "SPOILERS" version of this video touching on some of the music from the other islands (in particular I'm really curious on your thoughts and interpretations of Ares Island, given that you've touched on desert themes in the past). Great video, a great way to ease into the music theory behind Sonic's later games!

[@FirestoneAnimation]

Same

[@SonicTheSpeedGod]

We need this

[@miaswapp]

Also the music when sonic is talking to his friends is very beautiful I'd like to here you're thoughts on it.

[@AROAH]

I hope you'll do a spoiler version, because the fourth island's theme in particular is an incredible track.

[@brandonporter8509]

Fourth island is why I honestly feel the phantom pain like feel hits the most, that whole part felt like Sonics version of the microwave tunnel

[@seronymus]

A few minutes in, and this is one of your most purely beautiful videos yet. A new... Frontier you could say. Pure Christmas candy. I'd have you arrange church hymns at this point

[@FuzzBucket69]

cheese

[@DimbleWally]

100% agreed, I was in awe the entire video. Beautifully presentation, editing, and msuic... Just wow.

[@nezanic5571]

I'll always love the theme of the Starfall Islands, they're just so beautiful

[@TheFuzzyOcelot]

Kronos Island Movement 2 gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it without fail, and the way you map out Sonic's path through the island over the song, with the terrain and the hills and his footsteps following the notes like a map really sparks that feeling even more. Bravo.

[@partystar91]

Sonic Frontiers' music is truly something special, thanks for giving it some love! Outstanding video as always

[@corruptedteka]

Yes !! My favorite music theory series on the whole of the internet is back with a new episode on my current obsession ! Delightful ! I hope you talk more about the music of this game in the future, because GOSH it deserves it

[@ITRASHBOATI]

the composition is genius. just goes to show Ohtani fully understands what he’s doing. the casual listener such as myself just hears this music and goes “this is great!” and doesn’t even know why. that’s crazy.

[@dippingsauceyum]

i'm my opinion, he just needs to dial back the EDM a liiiitle bit

[@Lonelysum]

Maybe a lot back ​@@dippingsauceyum

[@ralsei3157]

​@sukumadehk yeah I agree, how did he go from stable techno to EDM drilling nonsense

[@Lonelysum]

@@ralsei3157 some are really good and some don't need to be for this game maybe more of a boost game that's distorted the good ones fits this game more like 1-2,4-2 and 4-4 and you have some like rumble wave and exceed mach which aren't very organized

[@KittAnimations]

Woah! A frontiers music theory! This was a very pleasant surprise and a very informative video as usual

[@LoadingError0]

thank you so much for this video. i haven’t played the game yet, but i’ve looked into analyzing the starfall islands theme myself just by listening to it on my own, and this video puts into words what i can’t quite describe myself. amazing work as always :)

[@apineappleinparticular]

Ooo this is gonna be good, I love your Sonic 3 Music Theory

[@tamhtiwowtseet]

Please do a spoiler one for Frontiers some day! I'm sure it takes a ton of effort to make these, so thank you so much! It's just so interesting, even if I don't understand a lot of it, and it makes me appreciate something even more, that already means so much to me! Thanks again!

[@SteveReen511]

I was hoping for a Frontiers video haha. The soundtrack is incredible and really carried the game for me. Would have been cool to give some mention to the titan battle songs but I get that that gets into spoiler territory. Undefeatable is still probably my favorite track in the game, absolutely insane.

[@psyanah4542]

This game's soundtrack had me completely enthralled. Thank you for your video on it, I've been tackling some of these tracks by ear, and it's a lot of fun

[@Weirdcko]

Such a great breakdown. My favorite thing in soundtracks is when there are multiple variations on the same theme, and the movements of Kronos Island build up in such a beautiful way. I really appreciate how you point out the power of the chord progressions, they are especially meaningful in a piece like this. Merry Christmas, Alex. I'm definitely Team Wisp by the way.

[@rolsen77]

the sonic frontiers soundtrack is phenomenal, the game has replayability value in the soundtrack alone, not to mention it's a fun and exciting game on top of that! the Titan themes are incredible- it would be cool to see an analysis of those as well! keep up the great work :)

[@damarihanson3876]

Ahhh I don’t know how it’s only just kicked in but listening to this video made me understand yet another reason why I love the island music in this game. It sounds like “Are you going with me” By Pat Metheny, specifically the version with Anna Maria Jopek with the vast mix of ambient sounds and increasing intensity through extended periods of time through different musical elements. It’s a random comparison, but I’m glad I was able to connect such a banger to a collection of bangers in the Frontiers OST

[@FandeJay]

Team Koco!! Aside from that, very interesting video! The music in Sonic Fontiers is extremely difference from other games in the series, and I'm glad someone analyzed it to fully explain the inner workings of the soundtrack.

[@PhirePhlame]

Speaking of Colors love, one of the game's vocal themes, One Way Dream, even has a snippet of the Reach for the Stars melody as the beginning of the guitar solo.

[@chaoscontrol01]

i need a "spoilers" version of this, i simply cannot go with only kronos island. all the other islands have such good soundtracks, i'd love to hear more about them too!

[@OneAndOnlyDanky]

It’s crazy how much thought goes into what at first seems like simple piano melodies, incredible video Also I’m team Chao for life

[@ashthedragon]

Amazing video! It totally explain why this game soundtrack is so perfectly balanced between being raw and compelling melancholy in a way only one other artist I've feel does: Trent Rezor. Who you also quote on the video. I've not only noticed the similatiries between his work on the social network OST, but also on some of his NiN themes and specially on his experimental album "Ghosts" ( Spider guardian theme could be put on that album and no one would notice it is not Reznor's). I would love to see more about the Frontiers OST, maybe a spoiler video with more ... impacting themes? You know.

[@AwkwardSegway95]

Nice! I loved Frontiers, and the music was part of what made it so great!

[@GamingGardevoir]

I found out something interesting, Sonic 2’s Casino Night Zone is often cited as having 168bpm, but doing some inspection into the game itself, the music was actually written at 84bpm double time!

[@bobosmith101]

What's the difference?

[@GamingGardevoir]

@@bobosmith101 as far as what you hear? Nothing. It’s just written weirdly on sheet music

[@partonca4916]

Just found you, these videos are so well done. Excited to binge!

[@gammaguyyt]

ohhhh... OH DAMNIT! HE'S DONE IT AGAIN! HE KEEPS PUTTING OUT BANGER VIDEOS! Also that thumbnail... I want Koco style sheet music.

[@PRariry19]

I can't wait for you to review the other songs in Frontiers

[@YaboyAJ_NG]

I don't know anything about music but I just love hearing you talk about it

[@Xemnasty]

How did Sonic Frontiers not even win "Best Soundtrack" at the Game Awards? If the vocal tracks didn't win it then the ambient overworld music should have been more than enough 😒

[@shiruba7019]

Well, I guess to win the Best Score/Music Award it has to just have one song featuring Hozier, a 3-notes main melody, and be in one of the most popular PlayStation franchises.

[@OJSthecoder]

watching your videos makes me so happy. never stop creating!

[@blikthepro972]

you better make more of frontiers videos, i wanna see you analyzing the titan boss music

[@MichaelA.Love_]

So well made. Love your content

[@Xx_Blue_Blur_xX]

Speaking of sonic colors ( 11:20 ), i have to note the “Reach for the Stars” melody in the True Ending’s credit theme, “One Way Dream”!

[@erickvasquez001]

I think this is your best video yet. Thanks again

[@curse5697]

Beautiful video, thanks for taking the time and effort to apreciate this game lovely music and making it a video

[@markob.19]

I love Frontiers's music so much, I did a guitar medley with the titans' themes. I'm very happy with how it turned out!

[@LIONFACECAT]

I already know this is gonna be a fantastic video

[@PRc00k13z]

I actually caught alot of the motifs, especially the planet wisp motif as soon as i head it in one of the trailers before the games release, im glad it was mentioned here

[@osc-omb47896]

Another reference to Colours is the beginning of the main theme in One Way Dream

[@BraviaGames]

This may be one of my favorites music theory videos. I didn't expect to become the monkey listening to the ipod meme during the Kronos section. Your narration combined with the music actually gave me chills. wow

[@IronicSonic83]

Dude I'm not gonna lie. I was expecting this like a kid waiting for a xmas gift. Thank you very much. Wonderful content

[@hex7329]

Man I 100%-ed this game and never noticed that the music always changes with new emeralds.

[@Lunatic89097]

While wisps are useful, they've overstayed their welcome. #teamkoko

[@gamanzhiydanil]

This video brought me joy and calmness. I don't know how you do this man. Amazing!

[@clash_pineapple_]

12:28 Interesting comparison. Unfortunately, this time the giants are not here to help the player🌙

[@Manic07925]

The fact that a comment that someone posted on my channel for 1-1 made it into this video is truly amazing and an honor. Thank you so much for this amazing video, Alex!

[@androwaydie4081]

A mumbo jumbo of music knowledge I lack but glad someone appreciate the soundtrack enough to dedicate a brightfull recognition.

[@strohhutxP]

definitely not your final frontier but one where you really show how much you decipher those tracks. next level stuff. i really mean it. of course i was going to play the game, but man, lemme tell ya - you hyped it up for me showcasing these tunes. thank you and happy holidays!

[@shirotamax]

About key signatures, seven sharps(#) can be converted to five flats(b)

[@MANGOM1LK]

10:55 that's really interesting because i always heard Speak With Your Heart in that segment instead (from the same game)!

[@PenGuinovich]

Absolutly masterpiece. I enjoy every your video.

[@ComradeVenus]

I really really really want to see a follow up video with spoilers, especially your thoughts on ares island. There are a lot of reoccurring motifs and I just wanna see an in depth view on all of the music. BY THE WAY, THIS WAS AN AWESOME VIDEO Spoiler warning: What's really cool, is the music theme that plays when you first wake up on the island and the voice speaks to you, is repeated at the end of the 4th island when they are released.

[@MrToonsy]

bro, watching this convinced me that sonic fronteirs should have at least been nominated for best music and score at the game awards!

[@BladeShadowWing]

Great job on this video! Really glad to see some of the theory behind these tunes, makes me appreciate them more. Btw, #teamkoco but I love wisps too!

[@YophiGames]

The melancholy music reminds me of Yasunori Mitsuda’s Chrono Cross in a way. This is clearly Sonic’s best game yet.

[@stuperman117]

Randomly had this recommended to me by youtube, glad it was. One of my thoughts, at least in the very first cyberspace level, was how the music felt.. Off. Not wrong for the level but.. Off, sitting at the back of my head, and only now getting revealed that I felt that way towards it. And now, hearing this video explain why the music is seeming to be written the way it is, makes sense. It was the only cyberspace level that I felt 'uncomfortable' in, if that makes sense, as all others were either tough, fun to beat, or a mixture, but not 'you don't belong here' feeling. As for that opening island theme, and how it feels like both the player and sonic are question wtf happened, what's goin on and why? But instead are left with nothing but 'do this.' It matches way too perfectly... But the twist reveal about the fact that the theme upgrades itself the more emeralds you gained? I never noticed it, as it was so utterly subtle, but thinking on it, it makes sense. And I never went fishing in the game. Not because it was OP (which it was), I just.. Never desired to do so, if that makes sense. Missed out on the lo-fi music, but I'm normally not one to actively listen to such songs, not to my taste. Anyway, earned a new sub, have a good day!

[@WaffleKingler]

Another Banger, dude, I seriously love your videos! Thank you for making them! Would you ever do Streets of Rage music?

[@swalscha]

I love this video so much, thanks!

[@Pickyjonez]

Other comments say it all, top job Alex

[@measlyfurball37]

God, I'd kill for four thirty-minute videos detailing all the movements from every island. . .

[@hotcoco2413]

8:58 didnt know about the emerld think, wow 😯 . [ Sat 12:47pm 3/4/2023 ]

[@leonidas6064]

PLEASE make more videos on Sonic Frontiers' soundtrack!!!

[@sloth3046]

I’d love to see a second Frontiers video, with songs like Dear Father and other tracks

[@milkiski]

You gotta do the entire game atp because every track is just so unique and interesting

[@VanguardRaven]

The voice in 1-1 is the same voice that gives you objectives once you reach the islands.

[@GottaGoFas]

wonderfully made video!

[@jordanboyd5587]

The fact that Frontiers didn't get an award for the freaking game awards is blasphemy. Say what you want about Frontiers, but there's no denying that this soundtrack is worth something.

[@renemartinez1128]

I love your vids

[@relld05]

Would love to see a follow up to this with other tracks from the game. Maybe time it for when they (eventually) drop the first DLC?

[@David-zr5gh]

Very good, but Planet Wisp was composed by Kenichi Tokoi

[@SlyMagma]

I love this! What are the chances of you going all in and going over all of the movements for sonic frontiers. I loved this video so much I was disappointed when you stopped only 4 movements into Kronos.

[@iwsifify]

Perfect video as always please make a video about rheas island its one of my favourites

[@Lighteningzero]

Thank you so much for this

[@MrZetherath]

Team Koco all the way. beautiful video this was exquisite!

[@chair_dib]

I would love to see a music theory video based around some of the music from the storybook games

[@SkateTroe]

Really hoping for more Frontiers content like this!

[@Leo-ms8gm]

Great video keep up the good work

[@LegoLoco7]

The music in this game is beautiful, and I honestly can't believe Tomoya is the one behind the Kronos Island movements due to how good some of them are since I'm used to some of Tomoya's other work ( _cough cough_ Sonic Forces _cough cough_ ). A lot of the music I've heard from Tomoya before is more upbeat and not so feely.

[@solidusgadget]

Forces OST is one of the best in series bruh

[@LegoLoco7]

@@solidusgadget I like it, but a lot of it doesn't compare well to other Sonic soundtracks. Most of Sonic Forces was the same synths over and over again, even if some of it was well-written. As an example, the soundtracks in Sonic Frontiers and especially Sonic Unleashed were more varied and had better compositions, at least in my eyes.

[@jaf6932]

Have you played Sonic Roboblast 2? The Arid Canyon Zone theme is probably the best song I’ve ever heard in a fan made Sonic game.

[@mdzl70]

Thank you, Steve Buscemi for the info

[@corruptedteka]

A second comment for both the algorithm and me, my only criticism of this video is, i have bad memory, so if you're showing off a call-back to a certain melody, it'd be nice to have it play once after the call-back ! ((( and also i wish this video was as long as the game, haha ! but pay it no mind, i could watch these for hours ! )))

[@dillpickle987]

I knew I heard Planet Wisp in there somewhere while playing!

[@Cade_The_Squirrel]

I love this games OST as a fan and maker of chaotic disjointed music

[@sometf2player752]

0:00 i would say it also opens a lot like sonic rush adventure

[@gdkey8025]

there are two colors in my head

[@superfandesonic1]

Nice video! I was wondering if you were going to cover any of the modern sonic music!

[@TheA_Gamer554]

small mistake, ohtani didn't compose planet wisp, that was kenichi tokoi

[@TheA_Gamer554]

also i think kronos movement 4 totally makes a reference to the mitsuda lick

[@BioAlpha5]

1. Glad to know i aint the only one thinking that about MGSV 2. Dammit i wish i didnt watch this as i was gonna say something similar lol 3. i wasnt gonna be talking about the music tho

[@DoubustuNoSekai]

Wait wasn't planet wisp Composed by Kenichi Tokoi?

[@AlexYardZone]

Yikes, this is my mistake, good catch. I've added a correction to the description. Oops..at the very least Ohtani was on the sound team for Colors and would have been well acquainted with the track. Well, I'll find a way to right that error in the future.

[@peterjohnson7625]

Can you do a Music Theory of “I’m With You” the Final Boss Music from Sonic Frontiers as I love the piano rhythm to it

[@ygkoz]

Bro this is awesome I need a Part 2 and a music theory on the titanic boss music please

[@Pēm̐cā]

Now this is a suprise I like.

[@JESSYOW]

i love you this is great

[@MahmoudHAhmad]

I hope we get a video about Rhea Island's theme.

[@DE23]

The Result Screen music sounds like something from the Wii U system UI

[@knuxuki1013]

Kronos Island's 4th Movement is my favorite tbh

[@ZillaYT.]

Actually so underrated