The original Celeste soundtrack by Lena Raine is a masterpiece that's stuck around in my head ever since I played the game for the first time back in 2018. It beautifully evokes the game's (and player's) emotional journey scaling the eponymous magical mountain, and I find myself popping it on pretty regularly when I need some non-distracting background music to get work done or get into a creative headspace.
Rozen - a composer and arranger known for albums inspired by Studio Ghibli and other media - released an acoustic interpretation of the Celeste soundtrack at the beginning of November, and I'm loving its cozier take on the whole thing. The goal with Celeste Secret Hideaway is to transform the game's iconic melodies into warm, intimate folk and acoustic arrangements, enveloping listeners in a rich soundscape that echoes the serenity of snow-covered mountains and quiet, fire-lit cabins.
Jordan Rakei has always had a distinctive voice, but on his fifth full-length album, The Loop, the Kiwi singer and multi-instrumentalist delivers his most consistent collection of songs yet. Across 13 tracks, there's no filler, with a few songs even standing out as some of the best of his career.
An early highlight comes in 'Freedom,' the album's second single. Here, Rakei melds the jazz-inspired instrumentation of his earlier work with a soulful number about the importance of staying young at heart.
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