#SPORE HERO FULL#

This then leads into “Spore War” which is completely different to the rest of the soundtrack. “Critters” then gives you a breather with a spacious track with the wobbliest bass line I’ve heard in ages. Your blood will be bumping at 130bpm by the end of the track.

The orchestration here is superb as it really bounds out everything with big stabs of brass and bass. “Sporeabilities” is a warming track with lots of wood blocks, marimba’s and Irish flutes it leads nicely into “Nemesis” which is and out and out battle track. Nothing is left out of this track and the whole musical kitchen sink is thrown in and its all the better for it. “Evolvable” which really needs to be put in the dictionary as a new word from…now… is a great track. The harp deserves a special mention on this track.

#SPORE HERO FULL#

It reminds me of the PS1 Medieval games scores – very cinematic and children friendly thus its full of charm and oozes a quirky personality. In fact the track is just as much playful as it is pumpkin scary. It’s strangely compelling to listen to on repeat and has become a favourite of mine from the soundtrack. “Sporeward” is a more mystical track with an ethereal background that shimmers to the foreground in the latter part of the track. “Wanderment” is full of lush sweeping string sections interspersed with more pensive sections and Irish undertones of whistles and horns. Anyone that uses a jew’s harp on a dramatic track gets my vote! “Beast Brawl” is another action packed track that sounds like it should be on Yasunori Mitsuda’s “Box Garden” soundtrack.

The use of instruments from different countries is something that Phillips has really integrated perfectly. It’s got the bumbling animal feel down to a fine art due to the fantastic use of tuned percussion and various instruments from different corners of the globe. The brass and timpani really give a great sense of urgency and demise yet the woodwind still keeps everything under a certain umbrella of quirky cartoon sound that the soundtrack carries through as a whole. “Monster Mayhem” is the first fully fledged ‘battle’ track in the loosest of terms. The whole track has a moonlight feel to it too. I especially like how the drums sound like an animal walking through grass. “Spore Zone” is a beautiful six minute symphonic suite that combined with electronics and an eastern fusion set the tone for a quirky but atmospheric piece. There’s a nice galloping beat in the second half that really pushes things forward.

“Sporaging” is similar in feel but with more pace and gusto. It’s very cinematic in its tone and scope. You could just imagine Tom & Jerry playing out a chase with this music overlaid. “Sporeable” is dramatic in a cartoon fashion. “Haven” is a perfect demonstration of a fantastic song that doesn’t sit still and has the cutest of embellishments. One thing that Winifred is able to do is to seemlessly blend all kinds of sensations and feelings into one piece. The theme is beautifully choreographed and effortlessly envelopes you into its various states of being. “Haven” is where the soundtrack really starts to stretch its legs. The way how it sways from warmth to potential troubled waters and then back again. “Home World” is rich with strings and tuned percussion. It’s the comical bumbling bass line that does it for me. Opening with “Spore Hero Main Theme”, the mood is set with a playful, inquisitive but fully fleshed piece which is instantly listenable and ever evolving whilst not really having a big hook to keep you held. The 18 soundtrack is out now and it’s a charming collection of music. Last time we spoke to Winifred Phillips she dangled a carrot over a possible secret EA project – well that carrot has blossomed into the wonderfully theatrical Spore Hero OST.

Spore hero