Transient Thoughts xxx - Frostpunk OST

 

Frostpunk is a game that captures the struggle of man to survive in the depths of a frozen hell.  The snow has not stopped falling for many years, London has fallen, civilization is at the brink of extinction.  You are now the one bastion of hope, the last city on earth.

The setting is one of constant struggle against the freezing cold and trying to maintain the basics of life, solitude, and ultimately death.  It is a harsh reality where hope runs thin and discontent rises at the slightest hint of something going wrong.  

As one can imagine the music found within is not happy.  Its filled with sorrow, longing, and tragedy.  Driven primarily by the mournful tone of a cello the music provides the perfect accompaniment to the setting that Frostpunk brings.
 
The earlier tracks use long mournful tones to really punctuate the fact that yes, indeed we are alone.  There is a distinct Russian feeling to the music, like spending a lifetime in the Siberian desert and being asked to write music that exemplifies the emotions and struggle in the day to day life of the people that have been given this life.

As the album progresses the music grows more urgent, giving it a strong narrative flow.  The music is morphing from sorrow to urgency.  The music still maintains the sense of solitude, however now the music also shows that there is purpose, not merely existence.  There is an acceptance that yes this is life now, but we can make it better.  There may even be a ray of hope.

From beginning to end this album caught my attention, it is one of the most beautiful soundtracks to a game that I have heard in many years.  The constant force of the cello documenting the struggles of the residents of Frostpunk brings this album to life.  The accompaniment of violins and subtle electronics flesh out the album.  Even if the game is never played, the music stands on its own as something worthy of your time.