Year: 2023
Type: Original Soundtrack (OST)
Composer(s): Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen
Number of tracks: 25

★★★★★

Cruise Control

I'm definetly no motorhead, neither in real life nor in the digital world. While I used to occasionally burn rubber with the Need for Speed-series, the only game with gas guzzlers that I still play nowadays is Rocket League - and the car there can fly. Consequently (and due to lack of consoles), I never came into contact with the exclusive racing game series Forza (Xbox) or Gran Turismo (PlayStation) and accordingly have zero knowledge of the subject. Only that the Forza-series is divided into Motorsport for more simulation-oriented gameplay and Horizon for open-world fun, did I pick up on.

That Forza Motorsport belongs to the more simulation-heavy series is evident at the latest when it comes to the soundtrack. A fact that surprised me somewhat. Because a real insider tip, which I will certainly feature at some point in the future, was the OST for Forza Motorsport 6. With a few Michael Bay-esque pieces that make the adrenaline meter soar, I was expecting something similar with the newest installment, which drops the number 8 in the title.

However, the composer duo Kaveh Cohen and Michael Nielsen, who have been in charge of the music since that 6th game, are treading different waters here ... or detours to be exact. It's probably due to my wrong expectations, but the score for Motorsport is simply boring. It is probably what people would listen to when they sit at home with their feet up in front of the TV and watch the racing cars thundering over the track.

Despite the hefty bass, electric guitar sounds, and synths, the soundtrack never rises above the level of background music that plays in the pre-game lobby of a shooter like Call of Duty . The music sounds like it's taken from a corporate image film or a luxury car advertisement. In essence, I can already hear the voice listing various specifications, horsepower numbers, and other details. If the soundtrack were a sexual position, it would be the missionary.

In that regard, mission accomplished, the car theme is conveyed well, but just not as exciting as it used to be. However, you can hear occasional hints (Driven, Reign) that bring a bit of action into the mix. But fundamentally, the music remains below its potential for my taste.

No.	Title	Artist(s)	Ratings
01	Forza Motorsport 2023	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
02	Best of the Best	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
03	Reign	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
04	Brotherhood	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
05	The Rush	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
06	Fate	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
07	Driven	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	4
08	Represent	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
09	Racing Line	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
10	The Hunt	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
11	Reboot	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
12	Aero	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
13	Icon	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
14	Winner's Circle	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
15	Champion	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
16	On the Grid	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
17	Regen	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
18	Lights Out	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
19	Breakdown	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
20	Contact	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
21	Slowdown	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
22	Head Down	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
23	Accelerate	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	3
24	Final Lap	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2
25	Hot Fuel	Kaveh Cohen; Michael Nielsen	2