The Celeste composer gives fans a new look at Earthblade, a canceled project.
Lena Raine, the composer of Earthblade, which was canceled, has released the soundtrack on Bandcamp to give a taste of what could have been.
Lena Raine, renowned composer of Celeste and the canceled Earthblade, has released the soundtrack for the latter on Bandcamp. Interested listeners can enjoy it for free or purchase it for $7, of which 50% will be donated to a nonprofit organization. While it's not the same as being able to play Earthblade, the music is described by Raine as “highly dynamic,” designed to reflect and accompany the emotional development of the game.
The composer also mentions that her work is heavily influenced by artists like Vangelis, Joe Hisaishi, and Yoko Kanno, with a style that evokes anime classics such as “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” and “Cowboy Bebop.” On her Bandcamp page, Raine expresses her desire to share her vision through music after the game's story could not be told in its original form due to its cancellation.
The soundtrack, composed of nine tracks totaling approximately half an hour of music, provides a powerful atmosphere. The compositions blend string instruments with synthesizers, creating a unique and immersive sound, ideal for setting the mood. In particular, the piece “Defy” employs binaural audio, providing an auditory experience that plays with listeners' perception.
The quality of the soundtrack is not surprising, considering Raine's previous work on Celeste, which garnered nominations for significant awards, such as Best Music at the 2019 BAFTAs and Best Soundtrack at the 2018 Game Awards. Raine was solely responsible for composing and performing all the music, receiving support from Nahor Gomes on trumpet and César Roversi on soprano sax. The album cover was designed by Amora B.
The release of this soundtrack suggests a rich and emotional gaming experience, which heightens the disappointment over the cancellation of Earthblade, announced in 2021. The decision to cancel the project was the result of disagreements within the development team regarding the ownership of Celeste, leading to the halting of work on Earthblade by the end of 2024.
