INFORMATION
Format: Digital
Number of Disc/Tracks: 1 Disc, 14 Tracks
Producer: Yu-Peng Chen
Performance: London Philharmonic Orchestra (Philippe Honoré)
Other Information: VGMDB – Video Game Music Database
TRACKLIST
Disc 1
| 01 | Genshin Impact Main Theme | 1:46 |
| 02 | Dawn Winery Theme | 1:08 |
| 03 | A Sweet Smile | 0:58 |
| 04 | A Storm, A Spire, and A Sanctum (Dvalin’s Nest) | 3:24 |
| 05 | Caelestinum Finale Termini | 3:28 |
| 06 | Lone Sojourner | 0:50 |
| 07 | A Day in Mondstadt | 0:59 |
| 08 | Dream Aria (Genshin Impact Main Theme Var.) | 1:38 |
| 09 | Pure Sky | 1:05 |
| 10 | The Edge of the Prairie | 1:10 |
| 11 | A Tale of Two Dragons | 2:04 |
| 12 | Rite of Battle | 4:20 |
| 13 | Knighthood Excellence | 1:33 |
| 14 | Happy Journey | 2:32 |
| 15 | The Wind Catcher from a Foreign Land | 1:48 |
Disc length 28:43
THOUGHTS
As Genshin Impact prepares for its imminent release next week (September 28 to be exact) for PlayStation 4, PC, iOS, and Android, I thought it is more apt to check out the music for the game. Since I most likely will not be able to check out the actual game due to the constant online nature (and my poor internet connection), the music seems like the next best substitute. That and I can not get enough of great music. And one that I can not stress enough: Genshin Impact delivers some stunning tracks right from its official OST.
Produced by Yu-Peng Chen and lovingly performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the best way to sum up the entire soundtrack would be a smattering spreading of bold and beautiful. You have pieces like Dawn Winery with its dulcet opening woodwind section meddling with accompanying strings and piano for a smooth listen. Or something like Caelestinum Finale Termini that goes full bombing orchestra with a strong string section lead and siren-like humming to create a piece that is nothing short of creating dire tension and feeling like an epic battle is about to unfold. Most tracks follow the same structure: a woodwind or string opening with either acting as support followed up by piano and vocal accompaniment. A majority do go the string section led in but will find a few that ignore that approach.
My favorites (aside from Dawn Winery) would be A Day in Mondstadt – a jaunty and celebratory theme that seems to a little Celtic infuse imbued with it’s the usage of the woodwind section. Another is Rite of Battle – a piece that is probably on par with Caelestinum Finale Termini in terms of the energy it brings but different in timbre as it turns to the brass instruments for a richer sound and taste. If anything, it is reminiscent of Joe Hisaishi’s later work (think Ni no Kuni). Of course, saving the best for last, the highlight and arguably best piece would be The Wind Catcher from a Foreign Land: a swelling one that goes from bold to tender to heroic and finally serene all within a minute and forty seconds. Compared to some of the longer themes like A Storm, A Spire, and A Sanctum (Dvalin’s Nest) and Rite of Battle, it leaves a strong impression within half the time.
If you like well-composed and performed Orchestra music, Genshin Impact – The Wind and the Star Traveler is an OST worth adding to your collection. The only flaw that I think of is that the music is not long enough and certainly feels like it can add music that wasn’t included in the final game or cut to make up for it. Then again, considering Genshin Impact will be an everchanging and updating game, that will hopefully lead to more opportunities for another collection to be put out.
Otaku Alcove 