ReMix: Shantae: Risky's Revenge 'Baal Bhaagna'
- Game: Shantae: Risky's Revenge (WayForward, 2010, NDS)
- ReMixer(s): Jake Kaufman
- Composer(s): Jake Kaufman
- Song(s): 'She's Got Moves'
- Posted: 2010-10-16, evaluated by djpretzel
Our first Bollywood mix (at least Bollywood-inspired), our first Shantae mix, and our first non-album mix (hatchet-burying Serious Monkey Business mix writeup here) from virt in a long, long time, I'm proud to release this truly inspired arrangement of music from the new DSiWare game Shantae: Risky's Revenge, by none other than composer Jake Kaufman himself.
I'll now repeat what many of you already know:
- Even if you've never played Shantae, don't have a DS, etc., you need to at least check out the game's music. Both the original GBC Shantae and the brand-new Risky's Revenge soundtracks are available for free on Jake's website, along with a lot of other great stuff.
- The game's getting unilateral, universal praise, so if you're on the fence or looking for a great action/platformer, GET IT.
- Even if you hate games, music, instruments, notes, puppies, and oxygen, I don't care, download this ReMix. You'll love it.
Jake made this one damn easy to write about, because it's friggin' brilliant. No need to speak in qualifications or hold anything back, I feel like it's one of his very best mixes, it's certainly unique to OCR, and it's a juggernaut of arrangement & production. It takes the overtly Eastern influences of the game's score, which is rife with catchy-but-intricate melodies to begin with, and dials everything up. Jake writes:
"Name means "Hair escape" in Hindi, but can also mean "Hair Whip". I'm obsessed with Bollywood soundtracks lately, it's absolutely insane how good they are.. it's almost hard for me to listen to anything else.)"
This comment, followed by listening to the mix, instantly made me want to check some more out myself. I'm superficially familiar with Indian Thriller and other Buffalax gems, but confess to lacking a general knowledge of "where to start" in terms of the best soundtracks. Maybe Jake or someone else can chime in on the review thread. The afforementioned hair whip starts things off with a whack, followed by action-packed sound effects that set the scene, then you got your tablas, unison string lines, strong downbeat, vocalizing, and... slap bass? Yes, there's quite a bit of 70's disco in this jam, too. And synths. And epic orchestral break with timpani build into tabla breakdown. Larry writes:
"The original tune, "She's Got Moves," was already really groovy. In particular, I loved the constant driving beat that anchored the verses. Jake's arrangement of it really took it to the next level, completely fleshing it out and nailing that Bollywood feel while fusing it with great electronic and orchestral writing. The vocals, the brass during the choruses, and the meaty bass work were all big boosts of ear candy. There's a lot to love here. If I didn't know Jake was so busy with his career, I'd be calling for a full-on Risky's Revenge arrange album. If you have a DSi, hit the shop NOW, grab the game and show some love to Jake & WayForward!"
It's silly great, is what it is. It's one thing to have composed this soundtrack in the first place - it's excellent, and absolutely worth your time and, if you so choose, a donation. It's another thing to have done this mix, in the time that Jake had (he cooked this up really quickly, believe it or not), and then yet another thing to have gone so over the top with it. Bollywood films, from what little I've seen, are pretty over the top themselves, and this ReMix really embraces that and goes to 11 and beyond. At the end, you almost feel like you've watched an entire movie - it's got that epic scope and surrounding, enveloping, overloading aesthetic. There's more to be said, but it all comes down to this:
This is a seriously badass ReMix.
- Crulex on September 20, 2012
My only complaint with this is a minor one: the intro police chase sound effects were never followed up on. I want to know what happens next, darn it!
But anyway, this is truly an amazing song, pure and simple.
- 42 on December 26, 2010
There's really not a lot to say, other than there is a lot to love here. The sound is loud and has some real weight to it, which is always a good way to win my undivided attention. Despite so much going on at any given moment, it never feels overly chaotic or strenuous to listen to. It's been masterfully produced, and is almost unrivalled in sheer thunderous rhythm.
If you just happen to be after a stampede of sound coming in from somewhere in central Asia, look no further. It's got hooky melody lines, neat sounding vocals and an assload of ethnicity working at once to form a must-hear mix. Love it.
- Marmiduke on December 26, 2010
- Emunator on December 18, 2010
- Vyse of Arcadia on November 9, 2010
- aceazure on November 1, 2010
Excellent work.
- Nutritious on November 1, 2010
OA;722759 wrote: Excellent atmosphere, flow, and something interesting at all times, a solid melody, and great supporting parts. Samples and production are great, and it's got a great beat.
All of that. And more.
The intro is great and a lot of fun. 1:20 onwards has a very 70s TV show vibe to it; I could see Charlie's Angels (the original ones, of course) do some poorly performed stunts to this.
Awesome work.
- Martin Penwald on October 30, 2010
anyway, this mix (at a listenable volume) is incredible. virt always shows amazing versatility as a musician and I hope that we will see more mixes from him on the frontpage (and after this mixpost, I am confident that we will! :D)
fantastic mix!
- halc on October 21, 2010
I love the fast paced beat, and rhythm. Honestly reminds me of Ninja Gaiden,PoP, & a bit of Sonic (but in a great way!)
This new teaser is just sweet on so many levels.
Hope you're working on the soundtrack. I may have just become a new fan, of this neat series.
- Kadosho on October 21, 2010
- AkumajoBelmont on October 21, 2010
- Vampire Hunter Dan on October 19, 2010
- Mad Lust Envy on October 19, 2010
- Dhsu on October 18, 2010