The Champion of Ennui / Into the Pastel Sky (feat. Vinny Vinesauce and Diane Aragona)

[@chuck_salamone]

The Champion of Ennui/Into The Pastel Sky (Spoken) “What have I become? I’ve lost myself in this endless cycle. After this, the moon will never rise again…” Main (7/8 section) What have I become? (What have I become?) Verse 1 (4/4 section) -We’ve awakened to living reflections Felt the snap of death and been reborn in every direction. Life is dream of a memory. -If it’s to be expected, what’s the harm? “Save them all, third time’s a charm!” This isn’t living. This is dying for the same beginning. Pre-chorus (3/4 section) This evolution unchecked, uncontested. Chorus (4/4 section) I’m trapped within this phase! I simply wish to close my eyes. Will your hands pull me away… Into the pastel sky? Main (7/8 section) What could I have been? (What could I have been?) Verse 2 (4/4 section) -Programmed to fight perpetually… Charged with dissolution terminally… Only a dream of what could be… Same gestures, same enemies… Pre-chorus (3/4 section) Mystical forces, re-animations… Am I no different in my machinations… Chorus (4/4 section) -I’m trapped within this phase! I simply wish to close my eyes. Will your hands pull me away… Into the pastel sky? -Not meant to be this way. The day has finally arrived. But if I take my leave, Will they disappear in time? Bridge (4/4 section) If it weren’t for you, my friends… My sliver of hope in this world… It would all come crashing in. If my story’s ever told… Is it ever really me? (2x) Pre-chorus (3/4 section) Will I continue? This time it’s “Nah man, nah.” Chorus (4/4 section) REPEAT Main (7/8 section) What will I become? (What will we become?)

[@rd_ctrlr5311]

I love that instead of something profound or symbolic like in the rest of the song Wayne's just saying "nah man ... Nah." He's tired, really tired -- and that's displayed perfectly in the lyrics.

[@justleaveitalone]

>This time it's "Nah, man, nah" ffs lol edit: I knew that was an actual phrase from the game but I was convinced here it was something like "this time it's not enough". Love it

[@lucasmcnair1575]

I cannot begin to explain the joy and elation i feel whenever more of these tracks are released. Simply masterful work, in it's purest form.

[@chuck_salamone]

@@lucasmcnair1575 I appreciate you! I'm looking forward to writing more music for what comes next!

[@AnarquiaCookbook]

I appreciate that you and Mason decided Vinny was the canonical voice of Wayne

[@mulcheraska]

I like Vinny being credited as “Vinny Vinesauce”. Almost as good as if it was Vinny Pizzapasta

[@beardalaxy]

nobody knows vinny's real last name.

[@Scum42]

He was even credited like this when he was on the NEWS those few times. And I'm sure this is at Vinny's request; he has never revealed his last name and most likely never will, for privacy reasons. So essentially, Vinny Vinesauce is his stage name lmao

[@SwizzleDrizzl]

@@Scum42 Whaaaat noooo his last name is totally vinesauce :)

[@flashmozzg]

@@Scum42 Witch streamer.

[@mslabo102s2]

I've seen it's Vincent Lange somewhere, but it was just once. Edit: I re-checked and it had no credible source. Don't mind me.

[@JiF28]

Vinny being the singing voice of Wayne Hylic is just one of those perfect things

[@boyfinn6751]

John Hylic (Not to be confused with John Wayne)

[@AnarquiaCookbook]

@@boyfinn6751 your name: John Hylic Your mission: blow up the moon

[@durandal_273]

hylic. singular

[@dickscum]

love referring to rpg characters as 'name' 'game', sans undertale, ness earthbound

[@magdaluxe_deluxe]

cant believe that “vinny vinesauce is the probably canonical voice of wayne” is a thing i can say. 2020 me would be exploding rn

[@ArtyThe_Fox]

Speak for yourself I'm exploding right now!!!

[@Glory2Snowstar]

We can use this as a lead for what Gibby sounds like, 2023 me is indeed exploding rn

[@sol503]

@@Glory2Snowstar gibby sounds like joel

[@bronze1557]

​@@sol503 Galaxy brain

[@Maggot-Milk]

@@sol503 bulk bogan

[@GabeDoppel]

the capussi guy really has some talent

[@GabeDoppel]

and everyone else, too

[@brobot500]

CAPUSSI

[@Mike14264]

Man... from what I get, Wayne is a rather tragic character. Someone who lives just to fight again, in a never ending cycle where they always rely on him to do the job. Like the phases of the moon. Unable to die, unable to stop. He just wishes to be able to close his eyes for a final time, to be taken by the hands into the sky... and, well, that's exactly what happens at the end of Hylics 2. I'm glad to see he really appreciates his friends too.

[@chuck_salamone]

Yo, be sure to catch the livestream discussion hahaha.

[@Mike14264]

@@chuck_salamone I will, hopefully! When will it be?

[@chuck_salamone]

I’m the coming days/maybe a week or so.

[@ultraswagmeister]

Reminds me of Gordon Freeman from Half-Life. Never a second to rest, always fighting impossible battles, seen as a messiah/savior of humanity. At the end of the day, he's just a man with a crowbar.

[@ogenbs]

@@chuck_salamonewhere did this livestream occur? is it still watchable?

[@i_teleported_bread7404]

"Ft. Vinny Vinesauce" is not something I was expecting on an official piece of Hylics media.

[@tomatosauce5775]

To me, Hylics’ music is as important to the game’s aesthetic as the claymation, so it’s fun to see this album and moonage lobotomy as a multimedia expansion of Hylics outside of being just a video game

[@chuck_salamone]

I appreciate you leaving this comment so much. Thank you.

[@connordarvall8482]

What I'm hearing from this is a Hylics rock opera would be totally on-brand.

[@insederec]

@@chuck_salamone I listen to the soundtrack a lot, and whenever I do I always think of those weird grungy visuals. It's all part of a complete package. Truly unique.

[@WendingWind]

I'm also glad all these songs have instrumental versions, I like them as stand alone songs, but I don't feel the vocals fit the aesthetic personally. It feels too personified, too human when compared with what came before, as if we've gone from an artsy avant-garde silent film to a disney style musical, but if Chuck and Mason decided to go in a completely different direction that's inherently exciting I guess.

[@chuck_salamone]

@@WendingWind It’s simply an artistic interpretation of the story that u folds between the end of the second Hylics game and what comes after. It was intentionally written to be a musical/rock opera, so very separate from the sonic experience that one of have during gameplay. We agreed this would be a good “separate” thing, as many fans long for personification of these characters (even though they are humanoids/aliens or whatever). Your observations and commentary are much appreciated! I wanted to make sure the instrumentals were as much a part of this collection/project as the vocal versions, as many want to study the music/enjoy it free from vocals. Hope you have been enjoying them!

[@October8426]

Seeing Vinny in all the memes really makes you forget that he’s an actual singer and is in his own band.

[@wiley2592]

Kind of crazy remembering back to when Vinny played Hylics one and here we are.

[@chuck_salamone]

Full. Fucking. Circle.

[@ojamajocarnival]

@@chuck_salamone I guess you could say it was a.. Cycle.

[@JayconianArts]

I find it very humorous how Vinny is credited as if his last name was vinesause in other works.

[@chuck_salamone]

I asked him how he wanted to be credited and this was just the fulfillment of his request, hahaha.

[@JayconianArts]

​@@chuck_salamoneAh, so it's an intentional thing on his part- he was also credited as Vinny Vinesause when he appeared on the news recently. What fun!

[@desolationofprog5729]

Taking in both the lyrics and overall tone of this banger of a track, I can assume at least four things of what Mason here is trying to tell us about Wayne's purpose and overall character: 1) Wayne was created to serve the very specific role of fighting against Gibby (lines like “I’m trapped within this phase,” “Programmed to fight perpetually” are the dead giveaways here) 2) The ending scene of Hylics 2 where Wayne is grabbed by the horns and dragged into the sky is indeed meant to be taken literally. Considering how red gloves are often associated with sages (or demiurges in Gibby Redivivus’s case) it can be assumed that Wayne has been chosen to become one 3) Wayne isn’t happy with any of this. Of course there's the title; ennui means having a general feeling of dissatisfaction and weariness. The repetition of “What have I become?” “What could I have been?” ect. along with the somber tone and general anxiety of feeling trapped and uncertain about his past, present, and future also sell this point further. There also seems to be an emphasis on how Wayne dies and comes back each time, even though all hylics are capable of this. How are his deaths different I wonder? And the most important point of all… 4) Wayne really cares about his friends :-)

[@grianjuju9438]

I love your thoughts on this

[@grianjuju9438]

I wonder if wayne is tired perhaps of that he became sort of a specie? Considering it's waynes and not wayne anymore in H2

[@chuck_salamone]

I’ll be sure to answer questions on what I was trying to say with these pieces. Mason greenlit all of these ideas, but only after we had numerous discussions on what he wanted for the story. It was a joy bouncing ideas off of him and fine tuning everything to exact his vision.

[@grianjuju9438]

@@chuck_salamone i'm eatin good with hylics content

[@connordarvall8482]

My guess is that Wayne has realised his life is in a permanent rut as he's pretty much "The moon-ending creature." who is either doing his job or waiting for the moon to wax again. His friends are pretty much the only thing that keep his job bearable.

[@Retrovoider]

I knew that Chuck played lead guitar on Red Vox's "Eminence" from their album "Afterthoughts", I had no idea they had done more afterwards! Incredible sound. Incredible Lyrics. Incredible work.

[@chuck_salamone]

I'm so glad you enjoy my work. I'm all over the place out there!

[@Retrovoider]

@chuck_salamone Honestly, your compositions are what brought me to Hylics in the first place. I heard the soundtrack and just had to know what the game was about. 100% awaiting the soundtrack to "Eulogy of an Insect"! That teaser of the casino bull already has me hooked.

[@AkumaNoRobin]

Back in 2015, vinny as the voice of wayne was a somewhat popular headcanon; now almost a decade later, the headcanon has become canon. God im so glad we're living in this present!

[@ovi___]

you can really feel how conflicted wayne is with his existence. it's borderline heart-wrenching. looking forward to what this entails for the next hylics entry.

[@nicolasherrera0]

It breaks my heart that we're getting a lot of hints about Wayne becoming parasitic to the Hylics world right after he saves it... Twice

[@jonhy8351]

Some of the enemies in the next game look very waynian

[@yoshi6100]

Transcribed the lyrics for yall! UPDATE: Chuck pinned the lyrics, refer to that one instead! (What have I become Lost myself in this endless cycle After this, the moon will never rise again) What have I become (What have I become) (x8) We've awakened to living reflections Felt the stab of death and been reborn In every directon Life's a dream of a memory If it's to be expected, what's the harm Save them all, third time's the charm This isn't living This is dying for the same beginning This evolution unchecked uncontested I'm trapped within this phase I simply wish to close my eyes Will your hands pull me away Into the pastel sky What could I have been (What could I have been) (x4) Programmed to fight perpetually Charged with dissolution terminally Only a dream of what could be Same gestures, same memories Mystical forces, reanimations Am I no different in my machinations I'm trapped within this phase I simply wish to close my eyes Will your hands pull me away Into the pastel sky Not meant to be this way The day has finally arrived But if I take my leave Will they disappear in time If weren't for you my friends My sliver of hope in this world It would all come crashing in If my story is never told Is it ever really me (x2) Will I continue This time it's now been found(?) I'm trapped within this fate I simply wish to close my eyes Will your hands pull me away Into the pastel sky Not meant to be this way The day has finally arrived But if I take my leave Will they disappear in time What will I become (What will I become) (x4)

[@Mike14264]

Yo, this is kingly.

[@JTSYoRHa]

ty

[@toagradius8856]

You’re telling me a trans scribed this?

[@SwizzleDrizzl]

@@toagradius8856 genius

[@summerthyme3008]

oh my god wayne song AND IT'S MY MAN VINNY? love the thematic repetition of repeating cycles, similar to the endless cycle of the moon waning and shifting. wayne is tired of fighting. wayne is tired of saving the world and battling enemies; he's losing his sense of self because he's not meant to be this way. he's not a hero. but he was forced into the position twice now, and the devastation hits him harder now that he's at the end. what has he become? now that he's ascending to the pastel skies, what will become of him? what will become of his friends? the inhabitants of the world below? phenomenal songcycle, all of you. i'm entranced and in love.

[@regulus7721]

Damn. After hearing this I imagine Wayne is trying to hide his tears. Poor guy, he deserves a rest. Maybe this wouldn't solve his existencial crisis, but I want to hug him. He needs a lot of hugs.

[@NeoNovastar]

Man needs so many hugs. It sounds like he's holding back tears that just won't come. Ffffffuuuuck man this song hits hard.

[@regulus7721]

@@NeoNovastar Let's hug him

[@gerphunkle5881]

Anyone notice that hands pulling Wayne into the pastel sky is what happens at the end of Hylics 2?

[@ojamajocarnival]

That's what I noticed too. I assume that means the ending cutscene has some meaning behind it.. Still doesn't explain the Wayne Toothpaste or Wayne Plane, though!

[@Spewa-em8cm]

​@@ojamajocarnival I interpret the plane and toothpaste as Wayne achieving some kind of celebrity status after the end of the game and now he has product endorsement deals like celebrities in our world.

[@alfonshedstrom9859]

@@Spewa-em8cm Given that Mason Lindroth has shown some Wayne like enemiesfor Hylics 3, it might imply that his likeness is used for evil, which he lament about in the song that he has become something he wish he hadnt

[@BishounenNerd]

I don't know if the most beautiful thing about this song is hearing Vinny's singing voice for the first time, or just how well this describes how I feel... God I love this song.

[@aypux2700]

If you want to hear more of Vinny's singing I highly recommend his band Red vox

[@kuuremii]

vinny is the lead singer in his band called red vox if you wanna hear more

[@gaiatiful]

Vinny Vinesauce??? In MY hylics themed album?????

[@EggBastion]

It's more likely than you think!

[@NeoGato2point0]

It took me a few listens to really let the lyrics sink into me. At the beginning, it goes “what have I become”, and at the end it comes full circle with “what will I become”. To me, Wayne’s beginning monologue and following “what have I become” part are his thoughts as he “spreads, horribly adrift” through space at the ending of Hylics 1. After destroying Gibby’s “moon”. Then at the ending of Hylics 2, the hands literally take him away and he “ascends” in a way, wondering what he will now become and wondering what will become of the friends he left behind that meant so much to him, that he couldn’t have made the journey without.

[@PurpleIzBack]

VINNY WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE

[@PurpleIzBack]

great song tho, hylics 2 forever! may its gland endure a thousand years!

[@UnflappedFlea]

im so mad i just found out this existed. in a hardcore hylics phase right now and oh boy this music i have been listening to it on loop... hylics 2 has my favourite game OST of all time and i am just floored by all the talent that was put into hylics. bravo!

[@chuck_salamone]

Cheers! So glad you enjoy it!!

[@Glory2Snowstar]

It hits like a truck in the most cosmic, elegant way possible! ALSO WAYNE VOICE CONFIRMED Finals stand zero chance with this blasting now!

[@NeoNovastar]

Good luck mincing your finals to meat!!

[@Dr._Nicolas]

Well vinny having a background in music had a lot to do with this collaboration, if he was just that speen guy on the internet this Collab would never happened probably, but this combination of both makes it good on my eyes.

[@Giguv05]

Background? Brother, the man has his own active band!

[@Takimeko]

@@Giguv05 He does have a background in music extending back to 2007, as well. But yeah that too!

[@NeoNovastar]

Always really loved the subtle ache Wayne's character was implied to have. Finding out the sand castles were the buildings on the moon, for example. It absolutely floored me. And then the moon is blown up. like. Damn. The Champion of Ennui puts it so well. I love how Wayne's music is never quite heroic, more drifting as he drifts through life, always wishing to be something more than the melancholic he is. And man does the line about how his friends are his only hope. Man that hits like a truck. Wow. Anyway Chuck if you see this, I really really love how you've captured Wayne in music. It paints such a beautiful picture of a fantastic character. And thank you to Vinny for offering your voice to this. It really makes it that much more special. Also thanks Mason, for continuing to work on Hylics and share your heart with us. Your art really affected me as a person in the best way. I really love your characters and storycrafting. Hylics will always hold a special spot in my heart as an artist.

[@chuck_salamone]

I appreciate you and this comment so much. Everything you just wrote is why I wrote this piece in the way that I did. Thank you.

[@NeoNovastar]

@@chuck_salamone I am so glad that we're on the same wavelength! Wayne's story feels very authentic to my own depressiveness/anxiety, despite the abstract way it's presented, so I love the character a lot. Thank you for the sweet reply Chuck :)

[@thatguyoversea]

Quite literally the space rock opera I needed.

[@chuck_salamone]

Glad to have you on board!

[@JTSYoRHa]

Vinny being Wayne's voice is just so perfect?

[@Wyviryn]

As a Vinesauce fan, a Hylics fan, a musician/composer and a digital artist, I gotta say This is neat :)

[@chuck_salamone]

Heh heh cheers. Thanks for listening!

[@Wyviryn]

@@chuck_salamone Hell yeah, my guy. You all keep up the great work. You're inspiring others! 💜

[@gora_groult]

I have a theory that the third game will be about Wayne (or his descendents) becoming a tyrant on Hylics planet. As we may see in the Hylics 2 ending, there have appeared some Wayne branding (toothpaste, plane and TV looking like Wayne). We may say that this is just an act of glorifying the heroes that saved the planet, but then why the people on the planet are only cherishing Wayne? And generally, in the teasers for the next Hylics game, we see a lot of Wayne-related creatures (some weird Wayne-looking bugs and other unnamable beings). We also see a Tyro (one of the enemies of the second game) riding a Wayne-related worm. All this Wayne-attribution can only mean that Wayne now has influence over the major part of the planet. We can't say for sure that Wayne used all this power for becoming a tyrant, but after listening to the lyrics for the Pongorma and Wayne songs, I may suppose otherwise. In Pongorma's song, there is a verse: "You walked away, we chose to stay. As time passed by it had its way. Our team was lost, our purpose frayed. A shabby end, but I habituate…" - This verse may either mean that Wayne left in the literal sense (went to somewhere away from adventures), or that Wayne left their cause of fighting tyranny (and that's why their purpose frayed), while Pongorma stayed. "In the quiet hours on this battlefield of ours…I think of you all fondly. While what remains of you will shift and rearrange. An endless cycle of constant change. /// The wanderer left in search of her past. The explorer found the answers to questions that he asked. And the old man stayed…he stayed. An aged knight, set in his ways." - Pongorma thinks fondly of his team, even though all of them have changed or left him, as the cycle supposes the endless change. Notice how he doesn't even mention Wayne, as like he isn't even a part of his team anymore. "When you block out the sun, I’ll turn on the lights! Many versus one, in continuous strife! This war has changed us two, we are not the same! It’s just me and you, as the world begins to wane!" - Because Pongorma is the only one who stayed with the cause, he is alone in this "war". Who is the person he is fighting? Is "wane" meant in the sense of decline, or in the literal sense that the world is getting more "Wayne-y", as in getting inhabitated by a lot of Wayne descendents? Perhaps, both? And finally, let's hear the Wayne song: Intro: “What have I become? I’ve lost myself in this endless cycle. After this, the moon will never rise again…” - Right from the start, Wayne acknowledges that he has changed immensely. Verse 1 "-We’ve awakened to living reflections Felt the snap of death and been reborn in every direction. Life is dream of a memory. -If it’s to be expected, what’s the harm? “Save them all, third time’s a charm!” This isn’t living. This is dying for the same beginning." - Wayne realises that his old methods won't work, and the cycle will just continue. Perhaps, he tries to do something different this time? Main "What could I have been? (What could I have been?)" - This is either a mourning of the aftermath of what he's done, or a regret that he hasn't changed sooner. Verse 2 "-Programmed to fight perpetually… Charged with dissolution terminally… Only a dream of what could be… Same gestures, same enemies…" - Wayne, again, realises that he is stuck in the cycle, and he dreams of something different. Pre-chorus "Mystical forces, re-animations… Am I no different in my machinations…" - This is either about him reflecting on the enemies he's fought, or that he may've gone to the cultist methods to gain new powers, to become a new ruler and make a change. But he realises that he may not be different to the likes of his enemies. Chorus "-I’m trapped within this phase! I simply wish to close my eyes. Will your hands pull me away… Into the pastel sky? -Not meant to be this way. The day has finally arrived. But if I take my leave, Will they disappear in time?" - Wayne is either talking again about the endless cycle, that he wants to leave from, or he is talking about the fact that he's done something irrecoverable, that he can only mourn about and beg to leave it be. Bridge "If it weren’t for you, my friends… My sliver of hope in this world… It would all come crashing in. If my story’s ever told… Is it ever really me? Pre-chorus Will I continue? This time it’s “Nah man, nah.” Main What will I become? (What will we become?)" - Wayne hasn't lost all hope only because of his friends presence. But as we know in the Pongorma's song, their team has collapsed, so he did lost all hope. And he is now either retired from the battles, or he is fighting by different methods. And this brings me to the conclusion of both songs. We can assume from them, that Wayne either left the battles forever, and passed his descendents to the planet or that he's got sick of the cycle staying the same, so he tries to take control in his hands, ultimately continuing the cycle, becoming someone just like Gibby (who is somewhat related to him, being one of the moon forms). But it's save to say, that if Wayne did become a tyrant, he's done it with no ill intentions in mind, as he thinks he does so for a good cause. And no matter which it ultimately is, Wayne has done something that he regrets. Album's name "Absent Moon" means that Wayne left the cause. But it can't mean that Wayne has died, as he is immortal because of the Afterlife. I'm so excited to see where the third game will take this story to!!! No matter what it will be, it will be something drastically different, I think this much is apparent.

[@UnknownSpooky]

And here I was just a few days ago wondering if Vinny and Chuck ever did end up getting to collaborate

[@bellag6221]

Chuck actually was featured on a couple songs on the recent Red Vox album Afterthoughts too!

[@chuck_salamone]

Narrator: they did.

[@UnknownSpooky]

@@chuck_salamone Ya love to see it

[@UnknownSpooky]

@@bellag6221 Oh sick! I haven't been keeping up with Red Vox for a bit unfortunately, but t'is neat to know!

[@alfonshedstrom9859]

Vinny is how I got into Hylics in the first place. This is such a nice sight

[@krazyglue47]

This whole album is absolutely beautiful, and to top it all off, A VINNY VINESAUCE COLLAB??? Mason, your creations and music continue to inspire me on the daily, and I couldn't be happier to see something new released. Keep doing great things!

[@gwwolfgang]

probably foreshadowing the next game, given the enemy previews. also, cool that they got the guy from red vox to do some singing

[@gideon1218]

Playing it right after An Endless Cycle hits hard and hot

[@MoonlitCaster]

So proud of Chuck and the gang for making this

[@chuck_salamone]

I appreciate you.

[@nillnill7258]

dawg you can't just drop another round of bangers so suddenly, this gotta be criminal

[@chuck_salamone]

Lock me up.

[@grianjuju9438]

Smooth criminal

[@Scholar_Varius]

I absolutely love that this album nails not only the sound of 70s prog rock, but also the _look_ of it - that album art feels like it would fit right in with the decade's style!

[@hyperbyte]

A melancholic song about living in an never ending cycle of death and rebirth built upon violence is literally the last thing I expect from a collab between Vinny and Hylics. Still, me being a MASSIVE fan of both Vinesauce and the Hylics games, this song is pretty much my dream collab.

[@chuck_salamone]

So glad you enjoy it!

[@hyperbyte]

@@chuck_salamone The Hylics 2 soundtrack is up there with some of my favorite video game OSTs and a few music albums, your work is godly Chuck. Also, are there any albums or music that’s similar to the Hylics 2 OST? I would love to explore more music with that kind of sound.

[@chuck_salamone]

@@hyperbyte you can always dig through my backlog with bands like “Amigos, Amigos!” And “Cellar Highwater”…those have my “juice.”

[@hyperbyte]

@@chuck_salamone Thanks! I’ll give them a listen!

[@panickew]

Stunning, Holy SHIT. The vineman truly reverbs my ears

[@ivythay4259]

Would not have expected an official album for this series of games with actual, meaningful lyrics, but I'm sure glad it's a thing.

[@chuck_salamone]

Mason was kind enough to let me flex here. I’m so glad you like the music and the lyrics. That means a lot!

[@azziey]

i recently got into hylics and all of a sudden Mason and Chuck are publishing all of this content, that's incredibly lucky for me

[@zachymorii8619]

SAME

[@regulus7721]

Indeed. Us new Hylics fans getting all of this new content is like an early christmas gift.

[@Spewa-em8cm]

Holy shit, can we have voice acting in the next Hylics game? I need more of Vinny as Wayne!

[@aaron_exe6449]

vin did say on his pizza tower stream that he is voicing some indie game but he's keeping it as a surprise though

[@R0b0ticGalaxy]

You all probably get told this a LOT, but dang, this entire musical is absolutely a masterpiece! The lyrics, the music, the tone, EVERYTHING is just perfect! Hylics is a huge comfort series for me, and this makes me so happy! Also, Vinny as Wayne's voice? That's so fitting honestly and you all couldn't have chosen anyone better for the role! The lore of Hylics has always intrigued me, and I'm really hoping you guys release the official lyrics for these songs so we fans can analyze the meaning! I have trouble hearing lyrics myself, so I'm mostly relying on the comments for that (bless all their hearts btw). With Hylics 3 in development, the excitement only continues! Keep up the amazing work, all of you! You're all a huge inspiration for struggling artists like me and plenty of other Hylics fans too! Thank you so much for taking your time to read this if you have! ^u^

[@chuck_salamone]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Enjoy the new tunes while you continue to “stay tuned.”

[@Wurgebloarf]

Favorite album of this year, simply phenomenal and Vinny as Wayne is a surprisingly fitting role. Can't wait for Hylics 3.

[@angrins]

not sure if its intentional but this is probably the best representation of being suicidal I've ever heard in a song at least I find it very relatable in a way

[@chuck_salamone]

While I am not, I tried to write this piece in a way that was emotional and “wanting for more.” That “more” being more time to be at peace. However the listener chooses to interpret that is up to them. Im glad that you found meaning in this piece. Keep truckin’ along! More great music and art coming. Stick around.

[@angrins]

@@chuck_salamone one more reason for me to stick around hell yeah!!

[@scott963]

This is an amazing song, Chuck has outdone himself on this one. Not only is this an amazing hylics song but also oddly relatable to how I feel right now lol.

[@chuck_salamone]

I feel it, too. When I write, I always try to share how I feel, while also trying to make a musical path for anyone and everyone to relate to a composition.

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

This past weekend, my wife and I set up as artist vendors at Superstar Anime. While setting up, we happened to pass by another artist who had a set of 5 character prints of the Hylics cast (each individually plus an extra of Dead Wayne). We talked excitedly about how she had met Chuck, Mason, and Vinny at Too Many Games and then about how we were both ecstatic that Vinny is, at least for this song, basically the official voice of Wayne. I'm thinking of doing some of my own art now.

[@chuck_salamone]

That’s yogurt fluff! She’s awesome, mason and I both bought stuff from her!

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

@@chuck_salamone That's her! And I ended up doing that artwork!

[@chuck_salamone]

@@OtakuUnitedStudio oh, man! That’s awesome. I have that very piece hanging above my monitor, front and center on the art wall!

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

@@chuck_salamone Sorry if I was unclear, I meant I did my own artwork. She did all of hers herself.

[@sparkledog-husbandy1305]

oh my god this deserves more views this is like finding rock again

[@junkoenoshima]

vinny's vocals fit this so well its insane

Vinny had a crossover with Hylics Joel had a crossover with Hot dad We truly are in the right timeline

[@toriitoraa]

Just realised Wayne = Wane like the going of the light from the moon 😮

[@explainer777]

So Hylics is a music genre Good job out there, guys. Another earworm in playlist

[@fescflavovski4029]

VINNY VINESAUCE AS WAYNE????????????? living in the best timeline fr

[@Janarik]

Extremely easy to listen to. I feel like it's going to be a while before my brain finishes digesting what I just listened to. Awesome work!

[@peloidvoid1619]

Shaking, crying, screaming, & pulling out my hair rn (for real)

[@jenjenparibou3995]

Man, this song's just perfect for Wayne, every lyrics of this song perfectly describes what he could've felt during Hylics 2 I feel like the meaning of the lyrics are pretty clear, so I don't wanna repeat what's already been said, and it's such a delight to listen to! Keep up the good work, Mason and Chuck! You're one of my biggest artistic inspirations!

[@tisjustangie]

Now that its near the end of the school year.. this would be a banger song to sing on a senior's last day of school

[@chuck_salamone]

Hell yeah.

[@Drambrarcer]

'Mystical forces, reanimations, am I no different in my machinations?' is a really different side of him from 'Reanimation's proscribed.' Usually the villain gives the 'not so different' speech; Wayne giving it to himself(/themselves?) is such a deep and ominous twist and it's amazing. I love that the text of the story becomes more coherent and philosophical as the power balance shifts to Wayne's favor, but that brings with it this sort of melancholy and existential angst that Gibby left no time for: while Chaos reigned, the friends of Order could be the Good Guys easily because they had purpose.

[@grianjuju9438]

But what is light without dark?

[@grianjuju9438]

Also if there's no death then life becomes like a cancer, never ending or dying mutating , shifting and changing

[@HeavensRipper-he4sz]

THIRD TIMES THE CHARM!?!?!?!??!?!?!?

[@brunomoraes9967]

It's so thoughtful of you and Chuck, making an EP and an LP to keep us fans in contact with the great odyssey of Hylics and connected to its characters during the long and time-consuming process of creating the third installment. To be able to peer into the minds of both the main crew and some antagonists alike is golden. It feeds the mystery of Hylics while also revealing new facets of it. I'm deeply enchanted by this world, having just finished the second game last night. It's awesome to see what began as an indie RPG Maker surreal recreational program turn into a multimedia operatic world, and seeing the passion of fellow admirers of the way of the snap Thank you guys so much!

[@chuck_salamone]

I appreciate you so much! Looking forward to building the world out even more with MORE MUSIC!

[@lithium444]

There's no way we live in a timeline where Vincent Van Sauce is the voice actor of Wayne Hylics

[@cold_gyoza]

absolutely gobsmacked by the quality of such a beat. it's so rhythmic and flows like a real hylics track, but vinny and dianes voices is perfect for this kind of work! easily one of my favorite tracks from salamone yet.

[@NeoGato2point0]

this song is just too good there’s a lot of emotion in it and the lyrics tie into an interpretation of the game and character. simply genius

[@DaVince21]

Mason and Vinny did a thing and I completely missed it? Wow. This is so good.

[@chuck_salamone]

Mason was gracious enough to allow me to put together a neat project to embellish his vision. Something to hold everyone over while we cook more weird stuff over here.

[@DaVince21]

@@chuck_salamone Excellent. And I'm looking forward to all of it.

[@ripleyandweeds1288]

cannot get over how it credits vinny as 'vinny vinesauce'. not 'vinny from red vox' but _specifically_ 'vinny vinesauce'

[@beardalaxy]

vinesauce is vinny's last name, of course.

[@sol503]

currently blowing out my speakers with this one

[@sol503]

fucking amazing as always. consistently outdoing yourselves with every song

[@chuck_salamone]

I appreciate you so much!

[@Bassclefff]

Absolutely fantastic, y'all kicked it out of the park with this one!

[@roxyinabox]

dont think music has made me this excited ever

[@chuck_salamone]

So glad you like it!

[@monah_art]

whatttttt vinny vinesauce and mason lindroth together???? truly collab of the year. holy shit!

[@itsdord]

The emotion in the vocals really makes me tearful

[@tontodechoque]

spoilers for as the world begins to wane . . . . . . . . im sure this has been already pointed out before but the string at 0:38 right before vinny starts singing is the exact same as pongorma's flatline OUGH I WILL EXPLODE . currently investigating if there are other songs that feature it

[@ClabberMouth]

I've been listening to this for a couple of hours and it's hard to stop. the hylics crew really popped off this time. hope this gets a Spotify release at some point

[@chuck_salamone]

In the next week-ish.

[@pan2504]

I couldn’t sleep so I watch the album discussion stream and dang it’s so cool all that you have assembled so far. And here we are again!

[@RunnJake]

Genuinely one of the most amazing pieces of music I have heard. This song makes me feel a level of emotional awareness I can barely put into words.

[@chuck_salamone]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@vesseltried]

new Hylics Content for me to feast in while waiting for the next game, amazing work

[@mehless]

Looking forward to really chewing on all these songs! Been feeling that psychedelic draught as of late.

[@AMentalFailure]

I genuinely cannot convey how excited I am, literally everything I ever loved and admired has come together and formed a supernova of amazement. I've literally been watching Vinesauce since I was 7, hell I'd even say that Vinny's the reason I can speak english right now, he's been like another father to me. And of course, Hylics has had a huge impact on my life, it's basically become my Earthbound, it's my go-to rpg

[@leonvaldez7633]

I beat Hylics 2 finally not even,,a few days ago and BOOM new content??? I'm so glad to be here to see this new chapter of Hylics! Can't wait to see what comes in next :DD

[@KalinTheZola]

Chuck, I'm sure you get this a lot by now but your work is absolutely incredible. I have so many visions that come to my mind when I listen to this song. As fun as the games themselves are, there's something so magical about your music, something that compels me to think about the characters even more than the games sometimes. Both are incredible, don't get me wrong, but I think your music is pivotal to the actual background and story of this whole series, whether or not it started out that way. As much as I love the games, it's the music that drives me want to learn more about these characters. There's so much emotion from Wayne just from this song that so far I haven't seen represented in the games proper. That's not a sleight on Mason's work whatsover. I think it's a tag team effort and I'm glad that people give you the credit you deserve as well.

[@KalinTheZola]

Also you probably already know this, but Hylics just would not be the same without your touch

[@chuck_salamone]

Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m happy to be seated at the same table as mason. I’m a grateful that he shares his vision with me, that he trusts me enough to embellish his visual ideas with my musical ones. I owe him all of my gratitude. The fact that the music has become a driving force for the game(s) is a testament to the power of music!

[@KalinTheZola]

@@chuck_salamone It absolutely is! At the risk of sounding trite (and keep in mind I don't really understand music so there's probably a better way to explain what I'm talking about), I think it's incredible how music can convey story and characterization. I don't even just mean the lyrics, though that's absolutely a standout component, but just the instrumentation alone. I love how you use leitmotifs (hoping I'm using that term right in this context lol) from the game's sountrack to the Moonage Lobotomy album. Doing that kind of helped me realize which songs in this album was for what character before the lyrics even start. I think that struck me the hardest with When the World Begins to Wane because I knew immediately it was a Pongorma song, but the song shifting into such a sad song completely reshifted how I think about his character. His attempts to bring that energy from his ML song but it never lasts... that just hit really hard. Sorry, I'm rambling now. All I can say is that this album did its job and I just can't wait for more. I hope you and Mason so another stream some time soon and talk about the album and maybe the tiniest hints for the next game. I'd be happy with just talking about this album though.

[@mistahchad220]

Saw the title and couldn't click this fast enough. I've always loved the Vinesauce playthroughs of both Hylics games, so this collaboration is a dream come true! Looking forward to listening to the rest of the album! 💚

[@Dolnic]

Recuerdo que una vez leí a alguien decir que la música de hylics debería ser un género musical, me alegro de ver qué está pasando, ojalá el pueda ver esto, gracias chuck^^

[@chuck_salamone]

I see you!

[@ruffleshq]

VINNY? SINGING AS WAYNE??? OH MY GOD

[@ruffleshq]

im genuinely so exctied right now about this omg

[@ma1exu965]

about to listen to this i’m so excited edit: finished this song and can already tell this will be an amazing musical

[@grey513]

IS IT EVER REALLYYY MEEEEEEE man, i love that part

[@chuck_salamone]

Me, too!

[@luxiavideogamer11]

Pa los fans hispanohablantes, les dejo la traducción de la letra en español, siéntanse libres de hacer correcciones

[@max._.5700]

Joder está canción si que representa a Wayne, muchas gracias por traducirlo 😁tienes planeado subtitular todo el álbum en tu canal?

[@luxiavideogamer11]

@@max._.5700 Gracias por tu comentario! Por ahora dejare las traducciones en los comentarios de los videos pa evitar resubidas, acabo de comentar la traducción de Seasons en su respectivo video, espero pa la próxima semana tener otra traducción c: Y la verdad que las letras quedan con cada uno de los personajes, esta canción de Wayne es maravillosa pero triste a la vez

[@forget-me-not9565]

Ok here is my attempt in the lyrics feel free to correct me if im wrong somewhere What have i become? I've lost myself in this endless cycle. After this the moon will never rise again. What have i become? (what have i become)x8 We've awakened to live in the flesh And felt the snap of death and been reborn in every direction life's a dream of a memory If its to be expected then what's the harm? Save them all, third time's a charm. This isnt living, this is dying for the same beginning. This evolution unchecked and contested... Im trapped within this phase, I simply wish to close my eyes. Will your hand pull me away Into the pastel sky? What could i have been (what could i have been)x4 Programmed to fight perpetually Charged with dissolution terminally Only a dream of what could be Same gestures, same enemies Mystical forces, reanimations... Am I no different in my machinations? Im trapped within this phase. I simply wish to close my eyes. Will your hand pull me away Into the pastel sky? Not meant to be this way The day has finally arrived. But if i take my leave Will they dissapear in time? If it werent for you my friends, My sliver of hope in this world, It would all come crashing in If my story never told Is it ever really me? Is it ever really me? Will i continue? This time it's not enough... Im trapped within this phase. I simply wish to close my eyes. Will your hand pull me away Into the pastel sky? Not meant to be this way The day has finally arrived. But if i take my leave Will they dissapear in time? What will I become? (what will I become)

[@srsman1485]

I believe the programmed to fight part says perpetually rather than "you all in". Thanks for the lyric sheet!!

[@forget-me-not9565]

@@srsman1485 this part was very difficult for me lol this makes so much more sense!!

[@iancortescontreras6084]

YES!!! FINALLY I checked the teaser of the song on Twitter and i was so excited

[@bismaydraws7844]

I love Wayne so much. Hope nothing bad happens to him.

[@CeoOfSheeps]

Vinny should totally sing more often

[@fnafsisterlocations]

you should check out red vox if you havent already

[@kuuremii]

vinny's the lead singer in his band called red vox lol

[@metamorphony8834]

hngg waaaa!!! sorry i can;t get over how amazing the songs are!!!! I listened to seasons for a straight hour now im moving through the rest of the songs

[@spranktonskunt839]

You all should just be a band already

[@chuck_salamone]

It is all but certain that Vinny and I will make some more music together in the future. When? Who knows?…but we have fun every time we hang!

[@alfonshedstrom9859]

​@@chuck_salamonei will die if I fight a boss in hylics 3 and Vinny vocals appear

[@chuck_salamone]

@@alfonshedstrom9859 hahaha

[@disturbedkillerify]

Looking forward to the third installment!

[@aaron_exe6449]

as a hylics/vinesauce fan this is fucking amazing both this and the afterthoughts song that Chuck did was also good

[@saltandlight2379]

You used the BEST part of his theme for that intro!!

[@chuck_salamone]

Hahaha, thank you! I was always fond of it and wanted to expand on it more.

[@HeavensRipper-he4sz]

This is the awesomest thing ever. I didn't even imagine something like this ever being made, a breakthrough!!!

[@skyrimlover777]

Only possible problem I'd have with the song is the beginning part is so good I feel like it could be it's own song.

[@NeoNovastar]

I mean, it IS the bridge (second bridge?) of An Endless Cycle.

[@skyrimlover777]

​@@NeoNovastar oh yeah I guess I could afford listening to the others, just had this on repeat lol Edit: oh you meant the themes from last year? I'm not sure I hear the similarities.

[@kiyopawn]

yuhs binyot being wayne is bygone orgasmicaly cosmic

[@iocasteo389]

VINNY IS THE OFFICIAL VOICE FOR WAYNE???????????????

[@chuck_salamone]

Sure is.

[@chuck_salamone]

but not like...the official official voice. Just for this performance. He's Vinny.

[@iocasteo389]

still happy that hes part of the hylics club though even if only for one song 🍻🍻 you guys should hire joel next (jk)