Music Thread

Diz · Oct 22, 2014

Video game music was originally cultivated right out of the hands of YMO. Just consider this song, especially the bridge parts that showcase that the song is about a galloping horse. You've probably heard this song or its melodies rearranged in old console games from the 80s, like a lot of their songs. Consider when this song was actually written and produced, nobody was working with the technology that YMO was except for Kraftwerk.

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Rydeen (Solid State Survivor - 1979)

Diz · Oct 22, 2014

For day 3 of my YMO showcase week, I bring this gem to the table. This is a supreme example of jazz fusion skill meeting pop disco sensibilities. If you didn't believe that these guys were the start of VGM, just check the video. These guys were ahead of their time.

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Tong Poo [vocal version] (Yellow Magic Orchestra - 1978)

Diz · Oct 23, 2014

It's not just uptempo jazzy funk tied down in pop structure that YMO worked with, they covered so many genres and laid a lot of the groundwork for the post-punk wave scene, ambient electronica, synth-pop, minimal techno, and other styles... One of the things that I really enjoy about their music is that they were always trying out new things and weren't afraid to do so, which clearly shows throughout the maturation of their works... it's quite remarkable. Here is a down-tempo and deeper song with a more experimental structure than the two previous tracks; they almost always sang their own lyrics, and usually in English.

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Gradated Grey (Technodelic - 1981)

kentares · Oct 23, 2014

10 Hours of the Imperial March

kentares · Oct 23, 2014

Halo: Combat Evolved OST Playlist

Diz · Oct 25, 2014

Some of YMO's songs have been used by other major pop artists, like this one was redone by both Michael Jackson and Eric Clapton, respectively. Game recognize game.

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Behind The Mask (Solid State Survivor - 1979)

Acey130 · Oct 25, 2014

War_master · Oct 25, 2014

War_master · Oct 25, 2014

Diz · Oct 25, 2014

As my YMO week winds down, I have to share this pop masterpiece... even its title was ahead of its time. I don't need to say anything else, the piece speaks for itself.

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Technopolis (Solid State Survivor - 1979)

Diz · Oct 27, 2014

For the final YMO song of this showcase, I present one of their most comprehensive tracks. A catchy melody, a strong structure, a universal lyrical message... this is as good as music gets. Next time you play an old video game, thank these guys.