Alola's Sounds (A look at Sun and Moon's Music)

[SirBoglor]

As the sounds of a game are among one of the biggest aspects when separating the good games from the great, how would you rate the quality of Sun and Moon's music?

For myself, I would the describe the music of this generation as a whole with one phrase.
Good, but not great or memorable.

It seemed like Game Freak either put just a decent amount of effort into a set piece, or not enough at all. It is all decently written, but it lacks what I like to call the hook factor. The pieces have a unique melody, but that melody fails to grip the player and make them want to hear it again. I don't feel a happy rush of excitement when I listen to this game's music as a whole. I never revisited a town or location just to hear a melody. In every other generation, there was always at least a place or two like that for me.

Next, let's talk about recurring themes. The Alola Region is based upon Hawaii, therefore many expected and received that serene Hawaiian charm from the game's music. In Melemele Island and the ending parts of the story, that is. Hau'oli City (Day), the Champion battle theme, and Iki Town are great examples of this. My problem is this: why is most of that beautiful Hawaiian sound limited to the beginning and the end? I get that you can't make every piece Hawaiian, due to redundancy, but I would have liked to have heard more of it from other places.

And speaking of redundancy, let's talk about routes. For those who don't know, there is one route theme for each island (excluding Route One, with it being unique and Poni Island, due to there being no routes). One. That's it. Not even a night theme. This is, in my opinion, the greatest injustice to the games. I understand that a great amount of time and effort goes into composing this music. But unless there were great time/imagination constraints to limit the composers , this is just...lazy.

While all of this complaining may cause someone to assume that I'm not a fan of Sun/Moon's music, I actually enjoy it quite a bit. Hau'oli City (Night) and Malie City are among my favorites, and they almost make me want to visit for the music alone. Almost. I really hope that our next set of games gives people that hook. Give me your next National Park theme, give me your next Black/White 2. I know you can do it, Game Freak.

Anyways, let me know your thoughts. Did you like, maybe even love this generation's music? Did a few pieces manage to hook you like other games may have?

 

[Adam Levine]

I am quite satisfied with Sun and Moon's music. I do, however, agree with you, now that I reminisce Ten Carat Hill and Battle! Elite Four. Though they have quite catchy tunes and melodies, they don't last until the entire song.

...though there is music I am still fond of, particularly Battle! Solagleo/Lunala and Hau'oli City (Day).

 

[Mawa]

It's great I think. I don't always listen to music when I play, but those I heard from this game is good. I think the route 1 is my new favorite song, from any games.

 

[JoyStar]

I just started playing Moon so I haven't heard much, but I LOVE the music that plays when you select the game language. It sounds like Brave's soundtrack but less Scottish. :). Anyone know what if is on the soundtrack?

 

[SirBoglor]

I just started playing Moon so I haven't heard much, but I LOVE the music that plays when you select the game language. It sounds like Brave's soundtrack but less Scottish. :). Anyone know what if is on the soundtrack?

I believe that it's called "An Adventure Is Beginning." If you look for the soundtrack, it should be the second piece on the first disc.

 

[SirBoglor]

I just love the fact that (if I'm correct on this, which to the best of my recollection, I believe so) Guzma's theme is the first time that lyrics were used in a battle track, and I firmly believe it's an avenue that Game Freak should explore going into future main series games.

I love tracks with lyrics in them. Much more exciting than pure instrumentals. Even if it's the same lyric repeated over and over again, really.

I'm really glad that you brought this up. I'll admit that the Yos and the Let's Gos made Team Skull's music among the best of the evil teams.

I wouldn't expect lyrics to ever become heavily present within the games though. Games that have done this too much with their music tend to get criticized. Music with lyrics can be distracting when you're trying to play a game sometimes, thus it can cause complaints. Plus, this is Pokemon, a franchise that has been established for 20 years. Straying from their original musical structure is a risk likely to make more angry fans than happy fans.

But back to your point, adding just that little taste of lyrics makes it feel very fresh and enjoyable to listen to. I definitely wouldn't object to Game Freak doing more of it in the future.

 

[Rivvon]

Huh. For some reason, I completely forgot about Colress' theme, whoops!

Can't forget the originals!

Technically the instruments are saying his name too, since they're playing G and C#, oh ho ho. I love it!! And not a battle theme, but Village Bridge! I love the use of vocals in there too!


Oops oops, not SM music! But really, I don't find any track of SM that memorable, save for Guzma's battle theme, so it's hard for me to get as excited about it. I think the problem is, as has already been mentioned, a lack of variety. There are very few route themes, and the ones that exist aren't all that remarkable (especially when compared to older gens'). There's a decent number of Trainer themes, but they either are good but not used a whole lot (Guzma's, Plumeria's) or they start off good but end up switching to a major key halfway through when that totally ruins the menacing atmosphere of the piece (Kahuna's, UB's). The fact that the Battle Tree Trainers don't have their themes remixed--with the exception of Red/Blue, which resulted in my personal least favorite iteration of their theme in the entire series--is also ever-so-slightly questionable in my eyes.

 

[Rivvon]

I don't really like the UB's Battle theme, I'm going to be honest here. Their encounter theme (like, the ominous music that plays when they're in the area) is really good, though.

I think their overworld music should have just... been their battle theme. Like how in ORAS, Wally's theme starts playing and then it continues into the battle. Like that. The UB overworld music captures their menacing nature much better, I feel.

 

[SirBoglor]

I should note that one of the cooler things in the music was the Ghost Trial Site's theme. It randomly cuts off notes purposely to make it seem like the music is coming from a haunted record player. That was pretty unique too. When I first heard it, I thought my speakers were breaking! {XD}

 

[blue]

I just love the fact that (if I'm correct on this, which to the best of my recollection, I believe so) Guzma's theme is the first time that lyrics were used in a battle track, and I firmly believe it's an avenue that Game Freak should explore going into future main series games.

skull uh, uh, cool cats. brrrap.

Yeah, Sun & Moon soundtrack could actually be my favourite, if not then on level with DPPT. There are soooo many greats from this gen and I just love the direction they took with music this time!

 

[Lunar]

Generally, I thought the music in Sun and Moon was pretty good, although there was some tracks that were forgettable the music that they got right was so good. Apart from the nostalgia trip that was ORAS, I think we had some of the best Pokemon music for a while in SM and hope Game Freak keep up the good work :)

 

[Cuprite (Kyu)]

Favorite Theme in Sun/Moon?

What's your favorite theme in Sun/Moon?
Personally, I can't decide. I'm tied between five different themes. Specifically "Lillie's Theme," "Malie City (Day)," "Malie City (Night)," "Rival! Gladion," and "Guardian Deity."
Lillie's Theme is just really calming, Malie City's themes are traditional Japanese music which I love, Gladion's theme is just really catchy, and Guardian Deity is just an epic battle theme for a group of special Pokemon (Not calling them legendaries because they're technically not).

 

[Frozocrone]

For the most part I've enjoyed SM soundtrack a helluva lot.

I hadn't noticed that all the route soundtrack sounds the same but then I'm never on the route for very long xD

Certainly some brilliant soundtracks. I enjoy pretty much all the battle themes. Lively Lillie and Mother&Daughter are also brilliant.

 

[SirBoglor]

Should be said that I'm a huge fan of the E4 theme as well as Solgaleo/Lunala's theme. Moreso the latter though; I think it's best in a "gets you pumped up before battle" way. Appropriate for a cover legend.

Nothing hypes me up quite as an Elite Four theme. Thankfully, this game definitely delivered with the theme.