Mirrorscape

Submission for OST Composing Jam [Sandbox] in the theme "Palindrome" (Difficulty C)

In this OST Composing Jam I was tasked with composing a soundtrack in which the musical recordings had to be IDENTICAL both forwards and backwards, this was very challenging but I managed to compose within the 48 hours given three tracks.

The way I went about making my tracks fit the criteria of this challenge was:

- Thinking of an imaginary game I would compose these tracks for

- Making a chord progression that sounds nice both forwards and backwards

- Balancing instrumentation between instruments that sound similar to their original sound when played in reverse, and instruments that sound completely different when played in reverse. This step was crucial to make the tracks interesting and not repetitive.

- Balancing between instruments that would play in reverse from the start and ones that would play normally and only afterwards would play in reverse.

- Finalizing the tracks by "Mirroring" them (duplicating the whole track and then reversing the copy) so that they would be identical when played normally or in reverse.

I imagined myself composing for a puzzle game, where you play as two different characters separated by a dimensional mirror (one of them is stuck in the Mirrorscape and the other would be looking to release them), I tried to make the tracks emotional, with a feeling of longing to meet again.

Track 1 - "On your Shoulders"

This track was meant for the menu of the game or as a main theme. I focus on the feelings of uncertainty, an unknown place, hidden Frustration.

It features guitars, synths, and some of my vocals with the following lyrics:

Getting closer

Take me home

On your shoulders

On your own

Follow my lead

I'll get you home

On my shoulders

Not alone

Track 2 - "Where Are You"

This track was meant for game levels, the main feelings I tried to compose for are determination and focus.

Track 3 - "I Will Find You in the Mirrorscape"

This track is another track for levels or it could fit in the ending of the game as well.

It is about the bond of the separated characters, that are at this point very close to meeting once again. The main feelings I tried to compose for are love, memory, and Anticipation.

Overall, this was one of the most difficult and interesting experiences I had composing. I really had to think creatively about technical parts of the composition to make it sound nice while played in reverse. I have learned a lot from this jam, and got some new tools to use since now I am far more knowledgeable about reverse sampling. 

Also, guitars sound really great and special in reverse!