Deferred Dreams

Released on August 28, 2024

The soundtrack for a game never to exist.

A compilation of tracks intended to work with video games. Whether they'll ever find their way into a game is continuously unknown. Uncertainty shrouds whether I'd ever compose for games. Can these tracks change that?

This is essentially my resume for those interested in my work!

Contained within this album are four game jam tracks, alongside four personal tracks. I've written about the story of each track within their descriptions!

Beyond the Silvered Glass

Inspired by chapter five of Celeste, I attempted to create a mysterious, ambient drone. This track features multiple patterns played forwards and backwards simultaneously to create a "mirrored" vibe. The percussion was difficult to mix, due to its booming hard-hitting nature.

The track's name is based on the auditory concept showcased within; mirroring. A silvered glass is essentially a mirror, and when observed, what's beyond it is your own reflection.

From other musicians, I've often heard that I should take what I like from tracks I love, and implement them in my own way. I never understood when this would occur, or when it wouldn't be considered stealing.

This track changed my mind. Before development on this track began, I had reversed the track, "In the Mirror" by Lena Raine. Within is another track reversed, as well as an easter egg. During this, I noticed that the percussion sounded quite interesting in reverse.

Since this track has been inspired by Lena Raine's track, I decided to implement my own reversed shenanigans. I took what I liked from what I loved, and implemented it in my own way.

Control

Created for the seventh OST Composing Jam​, this track features drawn-out strings paired with a massive acoustic piano to achieve an ethereal vibe. Combined with various electronic soundscapes and an epic percussive finale, I hope this song successfully fits the event's theme.

This track has been designed as two parts, one for a general "wonder" stage of the story, and the other being "discovery". I attempted to incorporate feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, especially in the latter half. I also wanted to hint at the highs and lows of life with a few motifs. Living in our own worlds, we are not perfect, and there is much left undiscovered.

The theme of the jam reminded me of Celeste, especially Farewell's chapter, so I included some references to Lena Raine's soundtrack. I also leaned heavily into Chris Christodoulou's synth and percussion style to bring together some of my favorite works. Since this would theoretically be part of a whole game, I set up some motifs that could be used in future/prior tracks.

Before participating in this jam, I was lost. I didn't know how to improve or where to go next. I found the jam while browsing itch.io's jams list in an attempt to just find something to work on. Instead, I found a community invested in helping others along their own musical journey.

I placed 86th out of 665. Though it wasn't in the target top-twenty, I'm very proud that I managed to somehow stand out amongst so many amazing submissions. Congratulations to the winners, they deserve it! And thank you to everyone else who provided feedback, little or big, because every bit is extremely valuable to me.

Gloom

Featuring an ominous piano in reverse, this track aims to innovate within my personal musical style and was composed early in the album's development. Combining electronic ambiance with a massive finish was on my bucket list, and is now crossed out!

This track represented everything I had learned up to its creation. It's compositionally interesting, achieves a clean, wide mix, and features unique sounds that I personally designed. I'm extremely proud of the end result!

Sight-Seeing Turbines

This track would ideally be placed after a high-stress, chaotic, intense chapter of the game. Similar to chapter four of Celeste, this is meant to be a calmer, relaxing track to go with a peaceful environment.

I personally envision a vast rolling plains at dusk, with little to no critters contributing to the soundscape. Only windmills are within view. The player is determined to continue their journey, despite the pain they've just experienced.

I've often struggled to hold myself back. I would push a track as far as it goes, maxing out its "hype level". This may be fine for songs that are meant to be listened to standalone, but many tracks on this album are designed to be used as background music.

This is my first track where I've attempted to keep a consistent "hype level" throughout, resulting in this beautiful, chilling track. I'm very proud of it.

Similitude Bluff

This track was produced with the idea of a boss battle in mind. Integrating a new motif, structure was a priority. The original idea was to set a stage for future tracks in this style.

To achieve a feeling of "edge" accustomed to boss battles, I composed in the uncommon time signature of 11/16, with bar repetition switching between two and three between the different parts of the song.

Weird time signatures can be cool! However, I failed the last time I tried to compose in an unusual time signature. This track changed that. I managed to program percussion that sounds real (to me), and ideally you're able to feel the "edge" brought on by it!

...and more!

This is a cherry-picked selection of tracks. Listen to more on Bandcamp!