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A jam submission

Asphodel PathsView project page

OST for an exploration game mingling dreams and lore from forgotten places.
Submitted by William Watson — 7 hours, 41 minutes before the deadline
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Asphodel Paths's itch.io page

Results

CriteriaRankScore*Raw Score
Composition#14.7504.750
Quality#14.7504.750
Impression#24.5004.500
Overall#34.4214.421
Creativity#204.2144.214
Storytelling#473.8933.893

Ranked from 28 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.

Description
A soundtrack for an exploration game where you navigate strand lands, finding clues to how you got there, and how to return home. Each track represents a different location that you visit. I used Logic, spitfire audio, orchestral tools, etc.

The hanging heat of summer at the dying of the day as evening slowly consumes the cottage. A startling sound and scene, a saturnine figure stands at the edge of the wood, just beyond the garden gate, and then dissolves into trees. I must follow.

Willow-worm Thicket
Lambent insects, the pathway through the tangled wood. Flora aroma thick and sweet. Winged creatures flit and flutter past. A subtle unease, a mischievous magic weaves through the leaves.

Meadow of Woeful Souls
Sadness weighs down upon the traveler here. The reveries of brighter days blossom and flourish for a moment, and then are gathered back into the gloom.


Lost Thought River
A steady stream of consciousness, fantastic distractions around every bend, many a stone to turn. A persistent pull, my mind keeps leaping from one bank to the next, nearly swept up by the flow, but always returning to the task at hand… to find the portal home.


Fields of Fading Memories
The longer I linger here, the less I seem to remember. Some magic, or some curse, lulls me towards ataraxia. Memories of family and home seem foreign and distant. How did I get here? Where is here?


Mezmar’s Maze
Time is slippery within these weirdly winding walls. Promising pathways become maddening loops. Beguiling signs and sigils, designed to gnaw and trap, corrupt my courage as I wander the illusory corridors.


Rumithian Strand
Rest and reassurance reside upon the tranquil shore. A contemplative place to rejuvenate, to recall those things forgotten, to remember the way back home.

Message from the artist
Thanks for listening. Please let me now what you think.

Theme

One Summer Night

How does it fit the theme?
Each track describes the exploration of different location in strange world during heavy aestival heat and the dying of the day.

Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://soundcloud.com/william-watson-461299021/william-watson-willow-worm

https://soundcloud.com/william-watson-461299021/william-watson-meadow-of

https://soundcloud.com/william-watson-461299021/william-watson-lost-thought

https://soundcloud.com/william-watson-461299021/william-watson-fields-of

https://soundcloud.com/william-watson-461299021/william-watson-mezmars-maze

https://soundcloud.com/william-watson-461299021/william-watson-rumithian

Number of tracks
6

Genre

Orchestral

Soundtrack use permission

No

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Comments

Viewing comments 24 to 5 of 24 · Next page · Last page
Submitted(+1)

Well william, that was truly quite special to listen to. Everyone has provided such good detailed analysis already in the comments but I'd say a couple of things stood out for me. 

Your command of the orchestra and the production of orchestral vsts in on show throughout every piece and it's a joy to listen to. The compositions ebb and flow so well and everything feels entirely coherent in sound even across the tracks when using different instrumentation.

For me I would say I found each piece, because it was so well developed throughout their 4-5 min runtimes and had such a cinematic nature, that althought there is a clear development in each piece, I didn't quite feel/hear/experience the storytelling/narrative arc across the entire OST. Another way to put it is that in each piece I could visualise actions, developments, and a story of that character as they progress in that level/scene, but I couldn't visualise the entire story across all the pieces. This may of course just be on first listen and I would likely change my mind if listened to again, but I thought it worth saying. Regardless, it doesn't stop me rating this incredibly highly as it deserves, given all the incredible work that is on display and has been highlighted by other comments. A great submission!

Developer(+1)

Thanks for taking time to listen to all the tracks.  Your feedback is much appreciated. 

The narrative arc for entire OST is somewhat lacking, or perhaps it's simply incomplete. I need 3 or 4 more tracks to really complete the whole story. Now that I have had some time to breathe and sit with music and concepts for a bit, I can finish creating and putting together the missing pieces. I hope to get back to this project soon. I also have some art and animation to add to the mix.

Submitted

that sounds like a great thing william, I'm excited to listen once more ideas come together and complete your narrative arc in mind!

Submitted

Wow this was incredible to listen to. Truly a beautiful and moving soundtrack. Great work!!!

Developer

Thanks for listening! So glad you enjoyed it.

Submitted

This is the most well orchestrated and contemporary-classical submission I've heard here... and it's amazing. So many different timbres and composition techniques layered carefully on top of each other to make one beast of a soundtrack. I have no idea how you composed almost half an hour of music in such a short time with such high quality, but you absolutely nailed it. Awesome job!!

Developer

A big thank you taking time to listen and give feedback. 

Submitted

Insane composition here! I got chills listening to it, oh my! Some really beautiful and brooding work here.

Developer(+1)

Many thanks for listening and for such flattering comments.

Submitted

This is reaaaaaally good.

I'm definitely picking up some Ravel influence in there, but also Stravinsky.

Man, I'm just so pleased with this. This is one of the best scores I've encountered on this site doing jams.

Developer(+1)

Yah! Ravel and Debussy are an influence for sure. Thank you for the compliments and for taking time to listen. Thanks for the discord plug too!

Submitted

Absolutely! :)

Submitted

I absolutely loved this submission! Your harmonic work is really good. 'Lost Thought River' is my favourite one here.

Developer

Thank you for listening and for your feedback. So glad you enjoyed it.

Submitted(+1)

Willow-worm Thicket: So cinematic and professional! The harmonic relations between your ideas leaps out of a single scale and goes exactly where it needs to to achieve the description of the location and all the nuanced details of the small critters buzzing/floating/crawling by - something I wish I could do! The woodwind interplay is my favorite aspect of this piece.

Meadow of Woeful Souls: The way your instruments weave in and out from each other in this track takes away any emphasis on a single instrument and makes the entire orchestra feel like a single organism. I do think that the bassoon is the heart of this track though and anchors the darkness to represent maybe the wistful and murky quality of the woeful souls.

Lost Thought River: The constant piano 8th notes seem to be that stream of consciousness you refer to. Those little string scratch sounds at 1:29 are very pretty and I didn’t even know that was something you could do on a string instrument! I love the peaceful ending to this track.

Fields of Fading Memories: The tremolo in the strings do a great job creating that musical fog that seems transportive. The instruments seem to fade into each other which gives a sense of motion which I think is a creative effect and certainly matches the title.

Mezmar’s Maze: The panning of the guitar is disorienting and has a really cool effect. Did you manually alternate the panning, have two separate tracks panned to the side, or do you have a plug in that automatically alternates panned ears? I think this is a master class on how to make an orchestra sound spooky and uneasy. There is so much suspense in the harmonies, the melody, the instrumental techniques, the mixing, and the ambience whispering sounds.

Rumithian Strand: That each wave of instruments has a different sound and timbre feels like time is passing in a strange way. No two waves are the same and we continue moving to a different place. Oh that oboe and clarinet chirping section sound like seagulls - if that was intentional, that is a really creative musical representation.

Overall: I am so curious how you approached this project? Your compositional skills are at a professional level and I could not even fathom trying to attempt a project like this. Do you compose all at once moving the instruments from one section to the next, or is there some sort of subtle underlying idea that you started with? I will often sing my melodies before I write to help give my music structure, but that seems like it would be a challenging approach to this style of music. In any case, this was extremely impressive for both the quality and the amount of music you were able to make. Thank you so much for sharing!

Developer

I am deeply grateful for you taking the time to write such a detailed response. 

Re: Mezmar’s Maze, yes, I had two separate tracks panned to either side. 

As for my overall approach, I often write out in prose what I want to happen with the instrumentation, pitch collections, textures, etc. Once I have a road map of sorts, I attempt to start composing it all. Some ideas might magically work the first try, and others just utterly fail. I am back and forth from the piano scribbling down ideas on manuscript paper to working in notation software and a DAW. It all comes together eventually. 

Submitted

This is a fascinating approach! I am amazed that an initial idea in prose can turn into this spectacular soundtrack. And in such a short amount of time too! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

Submitted

WOW
Im listening through this work now and my jaw dropped during the first song. You have such fine control over dynamics and storytelling through your music. This could legitimately be a ripped film score and I wouldn't have known. It reminds me much of studying early animation.

The work you put in to building the relationships between Oboe and flute are masterful. The harp sits right in the background always ready to take over when things get quiet. You have an elegance when quickly building up instruments and volume that I dont often see because it isnt linear, it feels very natural. 

Even just listening through Meadow of woeful souls, I can hear vibratos and staccatos that feel like a natural progression from extended thought and hopelessness to exhaustion.

Lost thought river felt exactly like its name. Its fleeting moments of clarity and movement live a river but it doesnt quite let you anchor onto any one idea. It reminds me of having multiple wind chimes in the same place. It can be a bit jarring and noisy but pleasant. 

Really magical work you've done here amazing job

Developer

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review. 

Submitted

Hands down the most well-composed submission I've heard so far. Compared to others in the orchestral genre, yours certainly pop out by utilizing its full strength. Your profile mentions nonlinear adaptive music, which can be totally heard here. I can imagine the different sections paced throughout the level, engagingly transitioning into the next. Couldn't find any critiques.

An amazing submission, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't nearly jump out of my chair and wake up my dog from the beginning.

Developer(+1)

You are too kind. Thank you so much, your compliments mean a lot.

Submitted

this project is MASSIVELY UNDERRATED and deservs more publicity. All of the atmosheres are so uniqe and evoke a feling of exploration. Some of the tracks remind me of Slime Rancher and its music. The tracks are moreso Cinematic than vidogamey but that isnt a bad thing in these types of games. Owerall really liked the composition and sounscape and you have done a Greath job! :]

Developer

Thank you. Your feedback is much appreciated. 

Submitted(+1)

If there was one word I'd use to describe this submission, it would be "haunting". It's like listening to the thoughts roaming around someone's subconcious as they travel alien and unfamilliar lands. Like a vintage movie's soundtrack, it evolves through so many different feels: The deep bassoon drowning Willow-worm's timid choir, creating a sense of unease, but also appealing curiosity through its lighter flutes and oboes. Meadow of Woeful souls, while not shy of rivaling the previous track's unease, is instead more focused on recollection: remembering sadder times one would rather forget, as the beautiful strings and cellos, singing as if they were being tuned, remind our traveller of decisions he could've made. The oboes pick up on that, showcasing a brighter what-if, but are brought down to reality by the other instruments rather quickly.

Suddenly, Lost-Thought River introduces a brighter piano, weaving us for the first time into a sense of peace... Twisting itself in the process. Beautiful harp-like instruments pan to the left and harp as gentle pizzicatos accompany the piece, as if lost you're in thought... But these peaceful thoughts are often interrupted by harsher, more sudden bursts of conciousness. It is hard to find inner piece in these tumultuous places we're visiting.

Soon enough, as we reach the Fields of Fading Memories, these lapses in one's thought are replaced by utter confusion: It becomes harder to know what evokes hapiness and sadness. The once confident strings are now overshadowed by trumpets. Overpowering the composition before just as quickly fading away, leading to utter chaos... Yet that chaos is still somewhat controlled. A small part of our conscious still clings, refusing to be forgotten.

Entering Mezmar's Maze. Chaos now reigns free, guitar strums surprise the listener, as voice in the darkness try luring away their minds. This damp, uncomfortable labirynth that further tries to corner your mind, does not contain the small yet reassurring moments of peace that the other tracks at least pretended to showcase...

Soon, however, the nightmare ends. The tranquil shore finally lets us rest, as we look back on our journey and beyound... Finally able to recollect. Hints of tension still remain, the journey is not yet over... But at least we can appreciate those fleeting, tender moments while they last.

These reason these tracks resonate with me so much is probably due to the excellent quality of the samples used, and the skill in tweaking and changing each and every note and sound until everything feels authentic. No stone is left unturned, not a single string or key sounds out of place, I know damn well how hard it is to make an orchestra actually sound like one, and this album delivers masterfully. If I didn't know this was made in a DAW I would honestly believe an actual orchestra recorded this lol.

A really stand out submission and an amazing time, well done!

Developer(+1)

I am absolutely floored and overwhelmed with the warm and fuzzies. You took so much time to listen and provide such a detailed response… I’m kind of lost for words. I love your interpretations of each of the tracks. Your descriptions and feelings are pretty much exactly what I was trying to convey and evoke. It’s a little eery, as if you somehow crept inside my cobwebbed cranium, but in the best way possible of course. 

I really cannot thank you enough for such a thoughtful review. 

Submitted

I’m not sure if it gets any better than this. It sounds hauntingly beautiful, I can’t believe it was just made last week, it sounds like a score from some beloved movie classic. It’s surreal how good the orchestra is, probably, only the real one would sound more organic. Amazing work!

Developer(+1)

Many thanks for listening and giving me feedback. I appreciate the wonderful compliments :)

Submitted (1 edit)

Some submissions are just, well, beyond.

How you managed to pull this almost Stravinsky'esque fresco under a week is beyond my comprehension. The orchestra sounds so natural and organic, an untrained ear might be fooled. Composition quality is what you'd expect from an already estlished and highly trained professionnal (which you probably are, lol).

Developer

Thank you. Your comments about the orchestra sounding natural and organic is huge compliment. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and leaving a kind reply. 

Submitted

I have been vividly taken back to my childhood feelings of watching beloved animated woodland critters in peril.

Each piece felt like a journey. I can picture a  gorgeously hand painted game.

My favourite is Mezmars Maze, those early plucks feel like underlings scurrying to surround and taunt you, and the unnerving sounds you can coax out of a violin are wonderful.

Developer(+1)

Thank you for your comments and for taking time to listen. I had the most fun creating the Mezmar track; I'm glad you enjoyed it. Some of the first orchestral music I was ever exposed to came from the scores to cartoons/animations. The influence must still have a hold on me, at least subconsciously. 

Submitted

They felt like they would fit right at home as the background ambiance to movie scenes. I imagined for example, The beginning of Meadow of Woeful Souls as the scene in Tangled after the lantern scene when Mother Gothel tricks Rapunzel.

Submitted

Wow! How impressive!

This work sounds incredibly professional, and the orchestration is beautiful. I really like the musical language you use, it feels very cinematic at times. The piece goes through many sections and shifts with lots of complex textures, yet it retains a haunting atmosphere throughout. It’s clear how much effort you put into making everything sound so realistic and coherent. A brilliant mix and overall a truly delightful experience to listen to.

Congratulations, this is an amazing work!

Developer(+1)

Thank you for taking time to listen to my music, and for all of your kind comments.

Submitted

Excellent writing, reminds me a bit of Wagner in some instances!

There's a lot to uncover here, I think all of the pieces sell the feeling of being in an unfamiliar place perfectly, having both moments of unsettling unknown as well as beautiful curiosity! The pieces also have a very organic and natural flow to them, never staying in one place for too long, which makes it feel like we're traversing through these lands and moving on to each different place inside them! The orchestration is also masterclass here, being able to juggle dense and lush chords and then go to more intimate melodies is brilliant! 

Also there's some very fun sound experimentation going on, in "Fields of Fading Memories" around the middle part, the play with the instruments capabilities and the texture you created really gave me the feeling of being in a turbulent place, in a great way! Then in "Mezmar's Maze" the choir effects and whispers really sold the idea of being stuck in a maze!

Although they were all excellent, I think my favorite was "Lost Thought River", there was just an amazing feel of playfulness paired with the sense danger that fits the theme of a river perfectly!

Given the amount of time we had, this was just out of this world and hope you had as much fun writing this as I had listening to it!

Amazing work!

Developer(+1)

Many thanks for taking time to listen and another big thanks for such a detailed reply. Your words are very kind. I am thrilled that you experienced some of the concepts I attempted to portray. I'm on cloud nine :)

Submitted (2 edits)

Damn, the level of polish and emotion on these is astonishing. I think you overused a violin a bit, but thats subjective :D

But I like the overall percussion usage.

Great work!

Developer

Thank you for listening. Yeh, I might have gotten carried away with the violin :)

Submitted

Wow—really amazing composition and production on these, they feel so professional. Love the depth of emotion you achieved!

Developer

Thank you so much for the feedback and for taking the time listen.

Submitted

There's a lot of music here, and it's all very good. Your skills with orchestral composition and instrumentation are top notch, and the mixing is great too! Great work!

Developer(+1)

Thank you for taking the time to listen, and for the compliments. 

Viewing comments 24 to 5 of 24 · Next page · Last page