Album: Sonic Superstars Original Soundtrack
Sound design by: SEGA Sound Team
Release: June 23rd 2024 (Sonic’s birthday) Out Now
Label: Space Shower Fuga Inc.
Published by: SEGA
Artists featured in this soundtrack include:
links include info on past, and present releases from each producer
Jun Senoue, Tee Lopes, Rintaro Soma, Takahiro Kai, Hidenori Shoji, Satoshi Oike, Ryo Fukuda, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, TORIENA, Yasuyuki Nagata, Hiro, Iona Takashima, Mitsuharu Fukuyama, Hideaki Kobayashi, Yuzuru Jinma, Tatsuyuki Maeda, Fumio Itoh, Teruhiko Nakagawa, Tae Fujimoto, Kenji Mizuno
Information, and artists from Vgmdb, the video game music database
Sonic is a series known for going back to its roots. In the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive era, it was known for that certain sound style, FM. A mixture of club style sounds, to pop, trance, hardcore, and more. The unique part about the music’s sound design, is that it did not feel like video game music. Whereas most back then used a style that felt more epic, orchestral, epic feels. At the time, Streets of Rage paved the way for VGM to adapt and become something more. Music is where the Sonic series has always adapted, and evolved. Which makes it even more fascinating.
Sonic soundtracks in the past, always felt like a bop, no matter what game you would play. The music just had a distinct character, and made the in game world come to life. The Superstars soundtrack revisits what inspired its musical journey, but also blends something new. What was limited back then, and what is possible now with sound design for videogames.
Within this 60 track filled album, is an adventure of colors, wonder, and loop de loops. Going back to bite size themes, they fit perfectly with the design of the game. Some have two acts, where each version has its own vibe, and energy. Or sometimes one is the original, and the other could be its remix sounding completely different. Which is a tradition in the classic Sonic games. Including Boss themes, which contain their own personality, from even heavier beats, to unexpected genres that the sound team loves to experiment with.
Superstars feels like a game from the past, but with a sound style from modern concepts. Similar to another game, Sonic Mania. Which also dabbled with nods to the past. Which is also awesome, and definitely worth checking out. There is something special, and magical when a game series can take a player, or listener back in time with its music.
Part of the Sonic series heart, and soul is that electro sound. It has never shied away from trance, house, dnb, and more. Which is one of the many reasons why I enjoy this series then, and now.
Sonic Superstars OST is available now on all digital platforms. If, and when a physical version is announced, there will be an updated link to buy.
Digital stores:
Amazon
Apple Music
MORA
Ototoy
For more information about the Sonic series, be sure to drop by the official site