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Tragic + Thriller = Funk?

This is the music review. Here you can find the game review of
Indigo Prophecy.

Listen up, because I'll make the bold claim that linear games with a high script density can tell a more gripping story than open-world games – if done well. "But Mattis, what about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt?" That's primarily about the game world, isn't it? Sure, we're chasing Ciri and experiencing a wonderful adventure with Geralt, but we're never on the edge of our seats, I would argue. "What about Journey?" I haven't played that one, but we do create our own story there, right? So, if you have nothing to say or don't like this form of storytelling, you're out of luck. "Alright, but why are you telling us this at the beginning of the soundtrack review of Indigo Prophecy or Fahrenheit, as the game is called in German?" Thanks, voice from the off, let me explain.

The music of Indigo Prophecy sets a great atmosphere. Composer Angelo Badalamenti, who is usually at home in the world of cinema and has written the title music for the Twin Peaks series, does justice to his Italian roots with the music for the game. Through the skilled use of string instruments, he creates a wonderfully dark backdrop for the snowy New York in the game. The tracks are filled with sadness and melancholy; often, the sheer mass of string instruments overwhelms us, swelling into an ear-shattering wall of sorrow before falling silent and leaving emptiness behind – examples of this are the Main Theme Fahrenheit or New York.

Even though they are similar, I particularly like the themes of the protagonists (Lucas’ Theme and Carla’s Theme). While Carla's theme starts with the usual structure and takes a dark, almost threatening direction in the middle, the piece ends on a positive, hopeful note. Lucas' theme, on the other hand, sounds oppressive, full of suffering, and fits wonderfully with the character from the game. Badalamenti's other compositions are also fitting; titles like Do Something Now, which is often used in fast-paced decision making moments, provide thrilling action and create the necessary drama. Quiet but no less atmospheric tracks like Investigation and Talking to Marcus fit the game but are rather boring without visual accompaniment.

So, what does this have to do with the linear story? In contrast to the examples mentioned at the beginning, a linear game can deliver cinematic entertainment through directorial script events and punctual control of the plot... and particularly good music helps support the visuals. This is well known, but the developer has to get it right first. And then the composer must deliver euqally well in order to make something good become something great. Badalamenti achieves this mastery, striking the balance between cliché and thriller. He manages to skillfully illuminate what is shown, underline the emotional moments, and fill the story with suspense. Not only that: the sorrowful-sounding pieces can also captivate on their own and invite you to dream or despair.

What also deserves mention are the songs that play on the radio or television within the game. These too are part of the soundtrack and, at least half of them, enriched my acoustic enjoyment spectrum. Because of the music from Indigo Prophecy habe ich die Band Theory of a Deadman, whose songs like Say Goodbye and No Surprise I consider particularly worth listening to. Conversely, Tyler's character's music in the soundtrack, who as as a 80s funk personified, listens to such gems as Street Tough by Ben E. King or Try It Again by Bobby Byrd, is absolutely not my thing, but those who like it will surely find it enjoyable. So overall, it's a listenable package that may not exactly lighten your mood, but will definitely pull on your heart's strings.

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Nostalgia warning

The rating of the individual tracks is purely subjective and clearly colored by my own experience with the game. You can find out more in the article About Nostalgia.

Indigo Prophecy

No.	Title	Artist(s)	Ratings
01	Fahrenheit	Angelo Badalamenti	4
02	Indigo Prophecy	Angelo Badalamenti	3
03	New York City	Angelo Badalamenti	3
04	Under Control	Angelo Badalamenti	3
05	Do Something Now	Angelo Badalamenti	4
06	Better Now	Angelo Badalamenti	3
07	Carla's Theme	Angelo Badalamenti	5
08	Investigation	Angelo Badalamenti	2
09	The Witness	Angelo Badalamenti	2
10	It's Time to Leave / Lucas' Nightmare	Angelo Badalamenti	2
11	Lucas' Theme	Angelo Badalamenti	5
12	And Now...	Angelo Badalamenti	3
13	Marcus Calls	Angelo Badalamenti	1
14	In the Park	Angelo Badalamenti	4
15	Talking to Marcus	Angelo Badalamenti	2
16	Chapters End	Angelo Badalamenti	3
17	Lucas at Work	Angelo Badalamenti	2
18	Visions of Aggression	Angelo Badalamenti	2
19	Escape or Fight	Angelo Badalamenti	3
20	Something Useful	Angelo Badalamenti	1
21	No Time to Lose	Angelo Badalamenti	3
22	Point of View	Angelo Badalamenti	2
23	Face to Face	Angelo Badalamenti	2
24	Fighting the Oracle	Angelo Badalamenti	4
25	Ending	Angelo Badalamenti	4

Indigo Prophecy [Licensed Soundtrack]

No.	Title	Artist(s)	Ratings
01	Santa Monica	Theory of a Deadman	5
02	Say Goodbye	Theory of a Deadman	5
03	No Way Out	Theory of a Deadman	4
04	No Surprise	Theory of a Deadman	5
05	Love T.K.O.	Teddy Pendergrass	2
06	Street Tough	Ben E. King	1
07	Hang It Up	Patrice Rushen	3
08	Try It Again	Bobby Byrd	1
09	Let It Crawl	Society's Bag	1
10	Just an Illusion	Leee John	2
11	No Good Man	Nina Simone	1
12	Sandpaper Kisses	Martina Topley-Bird	2