The story ofKingdom Heartsbeing born of a chance encounter in an elevator with a game designer and a Disney representative is certainly one of the more unique origin stories for a beloved franchise. The blending of whimsical storytelling and world building has made for a joining point for all the best of both sides of the collaboration to come together and makeKingdom Heartssomething special, with its soundtrack being no exception.
Available now officially through digital streaming platformsincluding Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube Music are the complete soundtracks toKingdom Hearts 3, 2.8, Unchained χ & Union χ [Cross]. This massive collection of music includes not only some of the series' most recognizable level themes, but its exciting promotional material as well, “Simple and Clean” notably present with its bright and poppy Ray of Hope Mix.
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Just in time for the release ofKingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, a new rhythm game set in the world ofKingdom Heartsexploring the series' 140 plus tracks and arrangements, this soundtrack collection is the perfect way to prepare. Included are works from long-time composers Yoko Shimomura and Takeharu Ishimoto, as well as more recent talent to appear on aKingdom Heartsscore such as Tsuyoshi Sekito. Series-long vocalist for some ofKingdom Heart’smost memorable and best-selling songs, Hikaru Utada also appears several times on this collection.
Light, plucky, and energetic arrangements are joined with grand, ethereal, and at times outright ominous compositions on this collection, taking the listener through theKingdom Heartsuniverse’s nostalgia-tinged neighborhoods as easily as its nightmarish and fragmented dreamscapes. The sheer range of the game’s music has always complemented its heroes as well asKingdom Hearts' most sinister villains. Collectors will be excited to know that in addition to the convenience of the soundtrack through music streaming services, a physical collection is also available for purchase spanning eight CDs in an impressive album sleeve.
Serving as a segue between the end ofKingdom Hearts 3and the next chapter in the series,Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memorywill facilitate that link via an interactive exploration of each installment’s soundtrack. For anyone who would rather experience the music in a more traditional sense, nearly four years worth of one of gaming’s most unique musically collaborative soundscapes is available for listening anywhere music streaming services are available.
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memoryis now available on PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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