I know there is so much to talk when it comes to NieR music but my lord, this soul voice out of nowhere in the Simone fight, it's unreal, how do you come up with such an idea when you're composing for a japanese game with orchestral music and chiptune. I think this is quite something about NieR music and NieR as a whole: unexpected.
The only thing that would have made this video any better would have been a small sample of your own attempt at making a song that sounded like a NieR song lol. Insanely informative and entertaining, thank you!
@@septimus4762as a composer I can tell you it is not. Making one song like Okabe is not too difficult, but making an entire soundtrack like his is the gargantuan task
Keiichi Okabe is always credited as the main composer for the series, which is true, but all the song examples in this video except for City Ruins and Repose were written by Keigo Hoashi.
Yeah, that's a common thing I've seen with not just the NieR series but a lot of video game series too. A lot of works are usually credited by people to the main composer but they may not have realised there are other composers/arrangers involved too who are also extremely talented. The NieR series has always had composers/arrangers from MONACA (with the exception of Takafumi Nishimura). On an interesting note, until now (even with the release of Replicant ver.1.22), we still don't know the individual credits for each of the tracks from the original NieR all the way from 2010. The whole soundtrack was simply officially credited to the whole team. The Replicant ver.1.22 soundtrack also doesn't specify the original composers, only listing the new arrangers.
@@LightKeyDarkBlade yeah good point. One thing that’s nice about Automata’s soundtrack is that it does have the individual song credits if you get it on iTunes. And unfortunately Ver. 1.22 doesn’t, like you said
If you want to know how successful the "future language" concept is, as a french speaker, grandma's lyrics sound like syllables arranged at random. But it is obviously french-like. It feels a little weird but I love it.
For real though! The various future-language mix of other language sounds is so effective, I swear when I heard city ruins shade for the first time in game I could have sworn they were speaking full on English, and didn't know they weren't until I tried looking up the lyrics.
Okay, I am French too, and I always thought I was insane for feeling this exact way while listening to this song ahah Glad to know I am not the only one who always felt like I was listening to my own language while not being able to understand anything, it feels super weird, but definitely an experience that I've never had anywhere else, too bad so few people can experience it that way ahah
If anyone wanted to know, the "i/5th to V7" (and then back to i) that sounds so classical actually has a name: the cadential six-four, which appropriately is found all over classical music!
Worth noting that the Im⁶₄ is so called because from the bass we have intervals of generic 4ths and 6ths. We can also analyse it as a sort of V chord in this case actually, so {1, 4, b6} → {1, 3, 5, b7}. We can make the 4 and b6 both drop down by step, and in four part harmony the first chord could have the 1 doubled, which could move down to the b7 by step too. That might be viewed as a bit icky by the classical folks, though, because of all the parallel motion, but I dunno. Point is, you can view it as a form of suspended V chord resolving to the real V chord which then presumably goes to I.
@@Aurora-oe2qp the movement is not all parallel, the bass stays the same, and everything's very standard and acceptable. in any case you can introduce the 7 after resolving 4 and 6
I wrote my college sneior thesis on the music on Nier, specifically A Beautiful Song, and it's really nice to hear you basically say the same things I said about the song (the O Furtuna ripoff and the 9ths and all). Make me feel validated :)
@@zydeco2024 You got three comments on this channel, two of which criticizing the game and the soundtrack separately, on a video about the soundtrack of the game. Not to mention the comments being contradictory, if you're not a fan why are you even here?
I'm guessing this was an editing error but the version of City Ruins that plays at 2:10 is the Ray of Light version which is sung by J'Nique Nicole. Emi Evans' iteration is called City Ruins - Shade. Edit: Fixed track names.
@@fruitybnnuy Ah, the OST collection I have downloaded are ripped from the game files and it seems like they were mistagged lol (I own the released OST separately but prefer the gamerip version for having separate Quiet, Medium and Dynamic versions as their own tracks, with and without the vocals). I've been listening to the OST this way for years and never really questioned the tagging of City Ruins' versions.
2:04 "so putting Evans' vocal at the front of these heartfelt arrangements makes them even more potent" plays a song that doesn't feature Evans' vocals
@@LynKoyo What song are you referring to as the “most iconic”? If it’s Weight of the World then there were 3 versions of it, English sang by Nicole, Japanese by Kawano, and Chaos by Evans. In terms of which of those three is more “iconic” than the rest, I think the answer would change based on who you spoke to. J’Nique is a fantastic vocalist and I believe she does get credit for her contributions to the soundtrack, and as some people seem to forget about her I’m sure others don’t even know of Evans, so I’m sure it evens out. Love your pfp btw, Yotsugi is great!
@@Riggs0320 weight of the world isnt iconic, the city ruins theme from part A and B is. Mainly because its heard the most throughout the whole game and weight of the world is annoying to listen to after going throught htat bullet hell
While as you mention, there is an intensely emotional, desolate, depressing feel to the music, what has always struck me is that there is also something fantastically beautiful in it, as well. And that seems to be a theme present all over the game: the desolate beauty of the ruins that make up the environments, the unending despair of the plot which nevertheless also shows moments of immense beauty and hope... and I think that's what really makes the games so compelling. They don't just torture the player endlessly with pain and sadness, but paradoxically invite the player to find beauty in the desolation.
Man, you don't even understand how much I loved all of the Kaine-related tracks and how they were flipped on their heads in the ending of Nier Replicant to sound so hopeful and triumphant. You described this change perfectly lol
@@tamiamorton7389 I have a similar feeling toward Weight of the World from Automata; the songs are all so completely depressing, but the final end credits scene turns it into one of the most uplifting and hopeful anthems I have ever heard. And the soundtrack edit of the final credits version of the song is absolutely brilliant, and filled with all sorts of really subtly-done elements to completely flip the song. For example, first coming in on the English version of the chorus, which ends with the lines "I wish that someway, somehow / I could save every one of us / but the truth is that I'm only one girl / Maybe if I keep believing my dreams will come to life" After which additional backing voices slowly start getting added, and it keeps switching between the other languages so the line doesn't come back up until a while later. And just as the line does come up, the background chanting ramps up and overtakes the singing, drowning out the end of the line entirely before she can finish singing "But I'm only one girl", as if to state that she is no longer alone and so that everyone can be saved now. It does a very good job of recreating the emotion you feel when actually playing that scene. It's really amazing to me how a simple edit like that can completely change the meaning of the line, from loneliness and desperation to triumph.
It's weird, a year ago I started playing piano in the pandemic, watching your videos and understanding literally nothing. And now I really feel like I'm slowly starting to actually understand more and more of your videos.
Song of the Ancients: Atonement is probably my favorite track from either game, so much emotional weight stems from the harmony of the two vocalists when you realize how the story has led up to the moment it scores. Just absolutely fabulous. Thank you for the video and letting me think more deeply about this amazing music!
I can't fully put into words how much I appreciate you covering compositional elements of NieR. This game series and it's OST led me to delve deep into learning music theory. So this video resonates with me (a beginner) appreciate even more about music and NieR's soundtrack. In short, thank you so very much.
The new Star Wars anime short "Village Bride" features a vocal song during the climax. Immediately evoked Nier vibes and ramped up the moment even more so with me. I had to check after and sure enough it was Emi Evans doing the vocals.
Me, who took one intro to music class 5 years ago: "I like your funny words magic man!" seriously good job, I love the music of nier and you captured it well
Made me chuckle real good. I don’t understand a lick of music theory but nier’s sountrack is easily my favorite so it’s nice to hear someone passionately talking about it
Definitely have to play Replicant then Automata. The music is beautiful itself, but once you have them tied to what happens in the games, it completely changes them, in a good way.
Hearing Song of the Ancients at 14:00 and instinctively worrying about whether the tanks are actually pulling them apart, which one is casting upgraded shield, and the position of the closest sawblades.
I love the fact that a game series as bonkers as Drakengard/Nier has such a rooted thematic musical through line. It tethers the player strongly to the emotions of the characters. Nier Automatas' strongest suit were the characters and no matter how strange the world became, the story always felt human, even though the characters were actually Androids and Gynoids. So it seems, just as untethered and bizarre as the plot and events are, those predicaments and relationships give the characters at least that much sympathetc weight and relatability. It's like glancing a beautiful painting through the window of a tumble dryer that's mostly filled with confetti and the dryers' motor sings longingly in futuristic swahili. Edit: 11:32 it's less of an o Fortuna rip off when you take into account it's probably (also) an homage to Yuki Kajiura. Actually, I bet she might be mad about the soundtrack. As much as I love the Nier music a lot of it feels aped from her.
It's always such a charming point of Automata how it's one of the few games where humanity is entirely gone and failed completely but the emotions are as human as it gets. Every aspect of it works towards this music included.
I so wish I had enough music theory background to follow this stuff. It just sounds so fun when you geek out on breaking things down like this. Beautiful music, and thank you for covering it and for your insights on it!
Try looking up the full in-game version. NieR uses a lot of dynamic music layers (the vocals of Song of the Ancients ~ Devola only kick in when you’re close enough to her in game to hear her) and the OST versions don’t always catch all of the elements. As the fight with the Shadowlord continues, the music gets stripped back more and more, till it’s just a lone music box… and the last hit ends it.
You always put so much effort into your videos and it makes them so easy to follow and understand the themes you convey. The transcribing and the notes you add as well are just chef's kiss *mwah* But please make a video on Ori and the Blind Forest. Gareth is a melodic genius and the way it helps convey the emotions in the story makes me cry every time I hear it. You don't even need to go through the second game, the first is a milestone in and of itself PLEASE!!!
Nier Gestalt/Replicant has possibly my favourite video game soundtrack of all time. Emil's theme just hits different... Drakengard also has some great music. The OST from the first game feels suitably nightmarish, like a fever dream.
So I've made it through most of your videos now and what I can say for certain is that your videos have given me an even more profound appreciation for the music in videogames. It's honestly astonishing how much genius goes into these media that many people will just never see because "videogames rot your brain..."
i understood nothing and would undoubtedly fail the job of making a nier song (or any song for that matter) but thank you for making this video it makes me appreciate nier music so much more
Thank you so much ! I've followed the principles you describe to compose my own NieR inspired song, this would not have been possible without your video 😊. Keep the good work !
I always think of those ascending Song of Ancient chord progression as one of signature elements of Okabe Keiichi’s pieces. It’s in Yuyuyu anime ost as well.
I loved your videos years ago, when I barely knew note names and nothing else about music theory, not even chords. But I've studied guitar(by myself + internet)in the past 1-2 years and know way more now, ans your videos are incredibly inspiring now that I can actually understand way more
I have 0 musical background, but the way your professional yet easy to follow along explanation really made this so entertaining to watch Truly a master of your craft
Thank you so much for making this episode on NieR. IMHO, NieR's OSTs play an apparently more significant role than any other aspects of the game for gamers' immersive experiences.
AYO?? Let's gooo!!! Just commenting for the algaerithm. Have a good one. Edit: Just watched the entire thing twice so I could properly digest the information. (And because I just really love these soundtracks.) Thank you, 8-bit Music Theory and everyone who requested this!
I don't know much about chord progressions but it surely doesn't stop me from enjoying nier's music Always good to let more people know about these beautiful soundtracks
NiER background Music 🎶 makes you Cry gives you Hope takes away your WiLL builds courage to stand that one last TiME before go out into that gentle night
This video introduced a concept to me that I have never implemented and that's with the "less movement" with 3rds and 4ths. Thank you so much for this video and I'm very glad to see you covering NieR music.
I love learning about how music theory can apply to the experience in a game, and Nier music has made a significant impact on me. I cannot fully express how much I enjoy watching this vid as a music and nier fan. Great work!
Now we're cooking~ I especially love Amusement Park from Automata. You walk up to the gates of what could be Disneyland, and you get the weird, xlyophonic melody and *those* vocals, and you just scratch your head... and walk right on in like NONE of that was clearly saying 'this place might be trouble'. It's such an immediately DARK mood. So good. XD
I love Nier music. It's sad, but it's also so heartwarming...By the way, really well done video, I enjoyed understand a bit more about what makes Nier's OST so unique!
Despite knowing nothing about music theory I sat through this entire video. I understood almost nothing, but it served as another affirmation that I have good taste in music. :D My favorite part is how you break down A Beautiful Song and the Song Of The Ancients near the end of your video. And surprise surprise, these two are my #2 and #1 favorite songs in the Nier franchise. When I watched you analyze them, I was all like "hell yeah, I knew there was a reason these two songs are my favorites!" xD
Pretty cool. Enjoyed this breakdown. Always like that the to use tons of vocals in the music. And now you just proved to me once again that it's affective.
I love watching your videos like I have any damn clue what the music theory means. I enjoy your passion for the art. And like everyone here. I love nier
It’s so interesting to learn about the NieR music in this video. I know nothing about music composition and I’m pretty blown away from what I learned here.
Niers soundtrack for me is just practically flawless. How it mixes the voices and music to emote sorrow, hate, despair, joy, etc it's otherworldly imo. It's something even now after playing through automata over 2 years ago I still routinely think about and that sticks with me. Great video delving into one of the best gaming soundtracks and imo that goes for both nier and nier automata ever.
Voice of No Return’s cello version is so POTENT and I would have loved to see an analysis of it. Good video and I will gladly accept reminders of how great of a soundtrack the series has
I played automata first but playing nier replicant and hearing the original versions of tracks was wicked cool and makes the games seem much more connected
I can not believe that there is a video out there that reference the greatest game in existence, locoroco༼ つ ◕o◕ ༽つ. I hope you all have a beautiful day
I'm surprised Emil - Sacrifice was not talked about. I'm no musician, but that piece is a bloody masterwork in emotion and complexity for how the music makes you feel. Even more so when you're given context.
God that "classical minor" sound of the 4-part vocal piece sounds SO MUCH like something written by Fauré or even Mozart. They really nailed the late classical-early romantic period sound there!
NieR music just hits different. great video!!
people still say hits different?
Ayy! Hi Jack!
People who don't like Nier music have trash taste
@@peen2804 Yes. NieR music just hits different.
@@pawerojsza9342 And here I am still searching video game soundtrack that hits like NieR:Automata. Yes, it still hits different...
I measure my progress as a musician by how clear these videos become to me
Ditto, but as a theory junkie and composer rather than a musician
real
100% my situation
as someone who is just very into nier but not very knowledgeable about music, i wish i could understand more haha
Same
I know there is so much to talk when it comes to NieR music but my lord, this soul voice out of nowhere in the Simone fight, it's unreal, how do you come up with such an idea when you're composing for a japanese game with orchestral music and chiptune.
I think this is quite something about NieR music and NieR as a whole: unexpected.
Yo! I just watched the Grandma / Destruction orchestral performance video today! It was awesome, and I almost cried! Thank you and everyone involved!
It's art, it gives such a strong emotion it's almost otherworldly.
Teminite put a sax solo in the middle of a dubstep song he wrote while getting out of depression partly thanks to the joy of making that song.
The only thing that would have made this video any better would have been a small sample of your own attempt at making a song that sounded like a NieR song lol. Insanely informative and entertaining, thank you!
he wd if he cd
thing is, it's beyond his ability
@@septimus4762as a composer I can tell you it is not. Making one song like Okabe is not too difficult, but making an entire soundtrack like his is the gargantuan task
Keiichi Okabe is always credited as the main composer for the series, which is true, but all the song examples in this video except for City Ruins and Repose were written by Keigo Hoashi.
This. Keigo Hoashi also participated in the OST of Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song and when that music hits I know immediately it's a soundtrack by MONACA
Wow, guess he's the real man behind the magic then.
@@delta-a17 They both are, it’s just that sometimes I’ve seen Hoashi’s work credited to Okabe. Didn’t happen in this video but it’s just a reminder
Yeah, that's a common thing I've seen with not just the NieR series but a lot of video game series too. A lot of works are usually credited by people to the main composer but they may not have realised there are other composers/arrangers involved too who are also extremely talented. The NieR series has always had composers/arrangers from MONACA (with the exception of Takafumi Nishimura).
On an interesting note, until now (even with the release of Replicant ver.1.22), we still don't know the individual credits for each of the tracks from the original NieR all the way from 2010. The whole soundtrack was simply officially credited to the whole team. The Replicant ver.1.22 soundtrack also doesn't specify the original composers, only listing the new arrangers.
@@LightKeyDarkBlade yeah good point. One thing that’s nice about Automata’s soundtrack is that it does have the individual song credits if you get it on iTunes. And unfortunately Ver. 1.22 doesn’t, like you said
If you want to know how successful the "future language" concept is, as a french speaker, grandma's lyrics sound like syllables arranged at random. But it is obviously french-like. It feels a little weird but I love it.
Interesting. I get very japanese vibes from it, especially from the cadence moreso than the sounds of the vowels themselves.
For real though! The various future-language mix of other language sounds is so effective, I swear when I heard city ruins shade for the first time in game I could have sworn they were speaking full on English, and didn't know they weren't until I tried looking up the lyrics.
Okay, I am French too, and I always thought I was insane for feeling this exact way while listening to this song ahah
Glad to know I am not the only one who always felt like I was listening to my own language while not being able to understand anything, it feels super weird, but definitely an experience that I've never had anywhere else, too bad so few people can experience it that way ahah
For English speakers, check out Wretched Automatons from Gestalt/Replicant. The feeling of _almost_ hearing words is surreal…
@@mads_in_zero What, did you forget Birth of a Wish(Both variants) existed? You can go beyond almost hearing words lol
If anyone wanted to know, the "i/5th to V7" (and then back to i) that sounds so classical actually has a name: the cadential six-four, which appropriately is found all over classical music!
I was about to say this! Thanks for pointing it out
Worth noting that the Im⁶₄ is so called because from the bass we have intervals of generic 4ths and 6ths. We can also analyse it as a sort of V chord in this case actually, so {1, 4, b6} → {1, 3, 5, b7}. We can make the 4 and b6 both drop down by step, and in four part harmony the first chord could have the 1 doubled, which could move down to the b7 by step too. That might be viewed as a bit icky by the classical folks, though, because of all the parallel motion, but I dunno. Point is, you can view it as a form of suspended V chord resolving to the real V chord which then presumably goes to I.
@@Aurora-oe2qp Someone's been studying their partimento
@@Aurora-oe2qp the movement is not all parallel, the bass stays the same, and everything's very standard and acceptable. in any case you can introduce the 7 after resolving 4 and 6
@@eulelier18 oh yeah, you're probably right.
I wrote my college sneior thesis on the music on Nier, specifically A Beautiful Song, and it's really nice to hear you basically say the same things I said about the song (the O Furtuna ripoff and the 9ths and all). Make me feel validated :)
thats sick wat tunes you use?
Nier has such an overrated soundtrack that I can't believe you weren't laughed out of your defense
@@zydeco2024 you're so unique
@@zydeco2024 Haha look at me I hate popular things because I think it gives me a tiny fragment of a personality
@@zydeco2024 You got three comments on this channel, two of which criticizing the game and the soundtrack separately, on a video about the soundtrack of the game. Not to mention the comments being contradictory, if you're not a fan why are you even here?
I'm guessing this was an editing error but the version of City Ruins that plays at 2:10 is the Ray of Light version which is sung by J'Nique Nicole. Emi Evans' iteration is called City Ruins - Shade.
Edit: Fixed track names.
I was gonna point this out too, glad to see I'm not the only one who noticed.
You've actually got them mixed up, J'Nique Nicole sung Rays of Light (in this video) and Emi Evans sung Shade
@@fruitybnnuy Ah, the OST collection I have downloaded are ripped from the game files and it seems like they were mistagged lol (I own the released OST separately but prefer the gamerip version for having separate Quiet, Medium and Dynamic versions as their own tracks, with and without the vocals). I've been listening to the OST this way for years and never really questioned the tagging of City Ruins' versions.
Never leave out J'Nique Nicole! She is a treasure and an icon of POC vocalists in gaming
What the heck ?! In french, her name basically means "I fuck Nicole" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
YESSS I've been trying to capture the NieR sound for a while now so this is perfect, thank you so much!!
2:04 "so putting Evans' vocal at the front of these heartfelt arrangements makes them even more potent"
plays a song that doesn't feature Evans' vocals
Still, written by her I think.
I was thinking exactly that. Makes me feel so sad how people often forget J'Nique is also a singer in Automata, and sings the most iconic song as well
@@LynKoyo What song are you referring to as the “most iconic”? If it’s Weight of the World then there were 3 versions of it, English sang by Nicole, Japanese by Kawano, and Chaos by Evans. In terms of which of those three is more “iconic” than the rest, I think the answer would change based on who you spoke to. J’Nique is a fantastic vocalist and I believe she does get credit for her contributions to the soundtrack, and as some people seem to forget about her I’m sure others don’t even know of Evans, so I’m sure it evens out. Love your pfp btw, Yotsugi is great!
@@Riggs0320 weight of the world isnt iconic, the city ruins theme from part A and B is. Mainly because its heard the most throughout the whole game and weight of the world is annoying to listen to after going throught htat bullet hell
@@succulentscreams7942 seems like you suck at bullet hell games
While as you mention, there is an intensely emotional, desolate, depressing feel to the music, what has always struck me is that there is also something fantastically beautiful in it, as well. And that seems to be a theme present all over the game: the desolate beauty of the ruins that make up the environments, the unending despair of the plot which nevertheless also shows moments of immense beauty and hope... and I think that's what really makes the games so compelling. They don't just torture the player endlessly with pain and sadness, but paradoxically invite the player to find beauty in the desolation.
Man, you don't even understand how much I loved all of the Kaine-related tracks and how they were flipped on their heads in the ending of Nier Replicant to sound so hopeful and triumphant. You described this change perfectly lol
@@tamiamorton7389 I have a similar feeling toward Weight of the World from Automata; the songs are all so completely depressing, but the final end credits scene turns it into one of the most uplifting and hopeful anthems I have ever heard.
And the soundtrack edit of the final credits version of the song is absolutely brilliant, and filled with all sorts of really subtly-done elements to completely flip the song.
For example, first coming in on the English version of the chorus, which ends with the lines "I wish that someway, somehow / I could save every one of us / but the truth is that I'm only one girl / Maybe if I keep believing my dreams will come to life"
After which additional backing voices slowly start getting added, and it keeps switching between the other languages so the line doesn't come back up until a while later. And just as the line does come up, the background chanting ramps up and overtakes the singing, drowning out the end of the line entirely before she can finish singing "But I'm only one girl", as if to state that she is no longer alone and so that everyone can be saved now. It does a very good job of recreating the emotion you feel when actually playing that scene.
It's really amazing to me how a simple edit like that can completely change the meaning of the line, from loneliness and desperation to triumph.
This game looks cool
usually I don't understand a word you're saying but it just makes me happy to see you talk about one of my favorite soundtracks hahaha
It's weird, a year ago I started playing piano in the pandemic, watching your videos and understanding literally nothing. And now I really feel like I'm slowly starting to actually understand more and more of your videos.
Isn't osmosis cool?
Song of the Ancients: Atonement is probably my favorite track from either game, so much emotional weight stems from the harmony of the two vocalists when you realize how the story has led up to the moment it scores. Just absolutely fabulous. Thank you for the video and letting me think more deeply about this amazing music!
Omg, YES!! Nier's music has been really inspiring to me as of late; thank you so much for making this!
Hello
Ay.
Your that Metroid/Courage the cowardly dog guy aren’t you..
I love these games so much I even kept tearing up while watching this video 😭
Hello
I can't fully put into words how much I appreciate you covering compositional elements of NieR. This game series and it's OST led me to delve deep into learning music theory. So this video resonates with me (a beginner) appreciate even more about music and NieR's soundtrack.
In short, thank you so very much.
The new Star Wars anime short "Village Bride" features a vocal song during the climax. Immediately evoked Nier vibes and ramped up the moment even more so with me. I had to check after and sure enough it was Emi Evans doing the vocals.
My thoughts exactly
The music crushed my soul and i crushed the rest of what's left by letting pascal live
Thank you seriously
Me, who took one intro to music class 5 years ago: "I like your funny words magic man!" seriously good job, I love the music of nier and you captured it well
Made me chuckle real good. I don’t understand a lick of music theory but nier’s sountrack is easily my favorite so it’s nice to hear someone passionately talking about it
I have never played a Nier game but their soundtracks are on my regular playlist!
Oof you gottaaaaaa
Definitely have to play Replicant then Automata. The music is beautiful itself, but once you have them tied to what happens in the games, it completely changes them, in a good way.
You're missing absolutely nothing, just listen to the music. They might be modern but they're essentially outdated Wii games
@@zydeco2024 I think you got the wrong game series dude lmao
@@tovi3280 yeah he definitely got the wrong game series
Hearing Song of the Ancients at 14:00 and instinctively worrying about whether the tanks are actually pulling them apart, which one is casting upgraded shield, and the position of the closest sawblades.
LOL ben grinding NieR for augmenting gear
oh god no the flashbacks
I remember day way of bunker, everyone died to the knockback mechanic on my first run..... *EVERYONE*
Mere moments later: SE building thrown right at you
Don’t remind me thanks 😣
Don't forget those trains later on
I love the fact that a game series as bonkers as Drakengard/Nier has such a rooted thematic musical through line. It tethers the player strongly to the emotions of the characters. Nier Automatas' strongest suit were the characters and no matter how strange the world became, the story always felt human, even though the characters were actually Androids and Gynoids. So it seems, just as untethered and bizarre as the plot and events are, those predicaments and relationships give the characters at least that much sympathetc weight and relatability.
It's like glancing a beautiful painting through the window of a tumble dryer that's mostly filled with confetti and the dryers' motor sings longingly in futuristic swahili.
Edit: 11:32 it's less of an o Fortuna rip off when you take into account it's probably (also) an homage to Yuki Kajiura. Actually, I bet she might be mad about the soundtrack. As much as I love the Nier music a lot of it feels aped from her.
It's always such a charming point of Automata how it's one of the few games where humanity is entirely gone and failed completely but the emotions are as human as it gets. Every aspect of it works towards this music included.
@@waking00one "Emotions are prohibited." It's so rough when you realize that 2B was saying that to herself.
One of the best video game soundtracks. Thanks for covering it!
Obviously there's only so much you can talk about in one video, but I think the arrangements also contribute so much to these soundtracks
I so wish I had enough music theory background to follow this stuff. It just sounds so fun when you geek out on breaking things down like this.
Beautiful music, and thank you for covering it and for your insights on it!
This is really cool! I never thought a song would top Dependent Weakling as my favorite, but Shadowlord is just on another level entirely.
Try looking up the full in-game version. NieR uses a lot of dynamic music layers (the vocals of Song of the Ancients ~ Devola only kick in when you’re close enough to her in game to hear her) and the OST versions don’t always catch all of the elements.
As the fight with the Shadowlord continues, the music gets stripped back more and more, till it’s just a lone music box… and the last hit ends it.
I've been waiting for this video for years. Thank you!
The music is best described as Hauntingly Angelic, an emotional character that relies on emotion more than written meaning, music in its finest form.
Omg omg omg omg yayyyyy thank you, your videos are all soo amazing, enjoyable and informative! Thank you thank you so much for everything!
I love how in depth this analysis is thank you!
13:46 Hello? Based department? Jokes aside though, this is my favorite thing in music ever. Thanks for giving it some attention in this video.
That chord change might be my favorite ever, love it so much.
I have been waiting for a video over the Nier series ever since I found this channel!! so glad you were finally able to cover it!
You always put so much effort into your videos and it makes them so easy to follow and understand the themes you convey. The transcribing and the notes you add as well are just chef's kiss *mwah*
But please make a video on Ori and the Blind Forest. Gareth is a melodic genius and the way it helps convey the emotions in the story makes me cry every time I hear it. You don't even need to go through the second game, the first is a milestone in and of itself PLEASE!!!
Nier Gestalt/Replicant has possibly my favourite video game soundtrack of all time. Emil's theme just hits different...
Drakengard also has some great music. The OST from the first game feels suitably nightmarish, like a fever dream.
So I've made it through most of your videos now and what I can say for certain is that your videos have given me an even more profound appreciation for the music in videogames. It's honestly astonishing how much genius goes into these media that many people will just never see because "videogames rot your brain..."
Each piece of Nier is a masterpiece on its own, great video !
I love it when you do these “how to’s” in the style of different games. Would you ever consider talking about minecraft?
Yes!
i understood nothing and would undoubtedly fail the job of making a nier song (or any song for that matter) but thank you for making this video it makes me appreciate nier music so much more
This soundtrack and that of Destiny/Destiny 2 are some that carry such a consistent feeling throughout its really quite impressive. Fantastic video!!
you: solid analysis of how sound music is made
me: me like sound
Thank you so much ! I've followed the principles you describe to compose my own NieR inspired song, this would not have been possible without your video 😊. Keep the good work !
I always think of those ascending Song of Ancient chord progression as one of signature elements of Okabe Keiichi’s pieces. It’s in Yuyuyu anime ost as well.
The YuYuYu franchise's OSTs are Monaca's best works in my opinion. Not Nier, not Drakengard. They nailed it with YuYuYu.
I loved your videos years ago, when I barely knew note names and nothing else about music theory, not even chords. But I've studied guitar(by myself + internet)in the past 1-2 years and know way more now, ans your videos are incredibly inspiring now that I can actually understand way more
I have 0 musical background, but the way your professional yet easy to follow along explanation really made this so entertaining to watch
Truly a master of your craft
Thank you so much for making this episode on NieR. IMHO, NieR's OSTs play an apparently more significant role than any other aspects of the game for gamers' immersive experiences.
IVE BEEN WAITING FOR A VIDEO EXPLAINING NIER’S OST ! Thanks 🙏💕
I literally asked for and have been waiting for this video for you for YEARS! Finally haha
Honey, wake up! 8 Bit Music Theory posted a new video
So many of the tracks in N:A give me chills. Thank you for covering this!
I've sung Nier Automata's praises til my throat was sore, and I'll never get tired of it. Great video!
I’ve been waiting for a Nier vid from you for years so epic
Aaaa I've been waiting for a video covering this forever, thank you so much! Very informative
You seriously make music theory so much more fun, thx for the video man
I started playing Replicant's remake just yesterday, and I see this in my notifications.
Is this a divine signal?
This soundtrack is a masterpiece, and so is this video! Bravo! Subscribed!
Oh definitely your best yet! LOVE this soundtrack
Thank you for mentioning Song of the Ancients. It probably has become one of the most important songs I've ever heard in my life
bro i dont get jack about music theory, but i love break downs on everything, especially in my favorite music. love your channel
AYO?? Let's gooo!!!
Just commenting for the algaerithm. Have a good one.
Edit: Just watched the entire thing twice so I could properly digest the information. (And because I just really love these soundtracks.)
Thank you, 8-bit Music Theory and everyone who requested this!
I don't know much about chord progressions but it surely doesn't stop me from enjoying nier's music
Always good to let more people know about these beautiful soundtracks
Having that made up language being a mix of multiple languages really makes it even better. After that many years all the languages got merged as one
Nier Automata is my favorite soundtrack of all time and I've been waiting for this video since I first found your channel. My elation is immeasurable.
These videos are gold and I wish I had them while studying music in college. Thank you!
Oh, boy, will I spend the next month or more taking every screen of this video apart to study it on my keyboard.... Thank you a lot!
NiER background Music 🎶 makes you Cry gives you Hope takes away your WiLL builds courage to stand that one last TiME before go out into that gentle night
Deeply Worded
The one word I think of that describes Nier music is melancholic
Great video! NieR has one of my favorite soundtracks of all time, it’s so calm and haunted at the same time….
I haven't looked this vid yet, but it's already makes my day better
This video introduced a concept to me that I have never implemented and that's with the "less movement" with 3rds and 4ths. Thank you so much for this video and I'm very glad to see you covering NieR music.
i always watch these having no idea what you’re saying, but i love hearing the music and people appreciating the music
I love learning about how music theory can apply to the experience in a game, and Nier music has made a significant impact on me. I cannot fully express how much I enjoy watching this vid as a music and nier fan. Great work!
Now we're cooking~ I especially love Amusement Park from Automata. You walk up to the gates of what could be Disneyland, and you get the weird, xlyophonic melody and *those* vocals, and you just scratch your head... and walk right on in like NONE of that was clearly saying 'this place might be trouble'. It's such an immediately DARK mood. So good. XD
OH MY GOD IVE WANTED YOU TO MAKE A NIER VIDEO FOR SO LONG THANK YOUUUUUUUU
YES I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR SO LONG
I love Nier music. It's sad, but it's also so heartwarming...By the way, really well done video, I enjoyed understand a bit more about what makes Nier's OST so unique!
This is absolutely fantastic. Best way to dive into advance music theory.
Despite knowing nothing about music theory I sat through this entire video. I understood almost nothing, but it served as another affirmation that I have good taste in music. :D
My favorite part is how you break down A Beautiful Song and the Song Of The Ancients near the end of your video. And surprise surprise, these two are my #2 and #1 favorite songs in the Nier franchise. When I watched you analyze them, I was all like "hell yeah, I knew there was a reason these two songs are my favorites!" xD
City ruins is the only piece of music that gives me chills every single time I listen to it
Pretty cool. Enjoyed this breakdown. Always like that the to use tons of vocals in the music. And now you just proved to me once again that it's affective.
I love watching your videos like I have any damn clue what the music theory means. I enjoy your passion for the art.
And like everyone here. I love nier
It’s so interesting to learn about the NieR music in this video. I know nothing about music composition and I’m pretty blown away from what I learned here.
Some of my favorite games I’ve ever played. Love the deep dive into the music! :)
I just happened to come across this while thinking about Nier music. Thanks for the insight.
This is so amazing, thank you so much for uploading this
Me: *listening to wretched weaponry*
RUclips Notification: “8-bit Music Theory uploaded ‘How to Write a Nier Song’”
Me: 😮
I love getting jobs with the time travellers bureau. This was very informative
Shoutout to the homie for using the original soundtrack and not the cleaned up remaster
I’d imagine it’s because the 1.22 ost isn’t on Spotify and such, but yes, I also think the original arrangements sound better.
As always, thanks a million bro!!!! great video
Niers soundtrack for me is just practically flawless. How it mixes the voices and music to emote sorrow, hate, despair, joy, etc it's otherworldly imo. It's something even now after playing through automata over 2 years ago I still routinely think about and that sticks with me. Great video delving into one of the best gaming soundtracks and imo that goes for both nier and nier automata ever.
Voice of No Return’s cello version is so POTENT and I would have loved to see an analysis of it. Good video and I will gladly accept reminders of how great of a soundtrack the series has
I played automata first but playing nier replicant and hearing the original versions of tracks was wicked cool and makes the games seem much more connected
holy shit, NieR Automata's OST inspired me so much and means a lot to me. Thanks for making this video
Aw I wish you included the song of the ancients version with both of the vocal lines playing. Excellent video!
This 6:35 reminds me of Voices of Passion by East West. Back in the day it was a go-to for me whenever i needed something with choir
Thanks a bunch for this amazing analysis of Nier, this is kinda amazing and I'd love to hear more about vocals in Game Music
I can not believe that there is a video out there that reference the greatest game in existence,
locoroco༼ つ ◕o◕ ༽つ.
I hope you all have a beautiful day
I'm surprised Emil - Sacrifice was not talked about. I'm no musician, but that piece is a bloody masterwork in emotion and complexity for how the music makes you feel. Even more so when you're given context.
God that "classical minor" sound of the 4-part vocal piece sounds SO MUCH like something written by Fauré or even Mozart. They really nailed the late classical-early romantic period sound there!
Great video about Nier! Keep up the good work!
I can listen to Nier music everyday without getting bored ☺️