Soundtracks should not only match what is seen, but also stir emotions, especially if the viewer is traversing over enchanted terrain with epic vistas. This musical responsibility is much more difficult to achieve for independent videogame producers, where teams can often be counted on one hand.
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Just over a week ago we saw the release of a fantastic video game called TUNIC. It was developed by one person, Andrew Shouldice, and features one of the most memorable soundtracks I’ve heard in many years. With hints of electronica, chillwave, and ambient, Lifeformed - aka Terence Lee and Janice Kwan - took Shouldice’s fanciful game and transformed it into a near masterpiece. 

Forty one years ago this month, The Cure released this song. It was the lone single from their third studio album Faith, and aside from Robert Smith’s vocals it only features two other instruments- the drums and bass. This sparseness, when combined with gated reverb, chorus, and their trademark flanging effects, signified “New Wave” and this song is often considered an underrated gem from the time period.  ​

​Long before Billy Idol met Steve Stevens and broke into the United States as a successful solo artist, he was an essential part of the UK punk scene as a member of the “Bromley Contingent” and as lead singer for Generation X. His boyish good looks, athletic build and command on stage helped catapult this once underachieving student (branded “idle” by his former chemistry teacher) to international stardom.
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“Ready Steady Go” was the breakout hit that put Generation X on the map in the UK. It’s a driving track with lyrics that pay homage to the swinging sixties, the British television show Ready Steady Go!, and it’s beautiful co-presenter Cathy McGowan.

The internet has changed the music industry and not for the better. Sure, consumers are able to easily access songs from all over the world at any time, and artists have far more control over their work than ever before, but with illegal downloading and file sharing, recorded music sales have shrunk to all-time lows, forcing talented musicians to struggle even more for their efforts. This is especially disheartening for recording artists who focus on and craft brilliant, excellent albums.

Over the last twelve years, Widowspeak has done exactly that. Their sixth and latest effort The Jacket releases on March 11th, and judging from the first three singles floating around out there, it may be their best record yet.

Catch them on tour next month: https://www.widowspeakforever.com/#shows
Support them: https://widowspeak.bandcamp.com/
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