Seismic Squirrel releases the original soundtrack for Aether & Iron. Composed by two-time Grammy Award winner Christopher Tin and Grammy nominee Alex Williamson, the soundtrack supports the game’s decopunk vision of an alternate 1930s New York through a blend of jazz and orchestral composition...

Blending jazz-inspired elements with orchestral arrangements, the soundtrack to Aether & Iron is designed to support the tone and setting of the game's world. The music underscores key moments across the experience, from tense encounters to quieter narrative beats set against the backdrop of an alternate 1930s New York. This release marks the latest collaboration between Christopher Tin and Alex Williamson, whose previous work includes scores for the Civilization series, Old World, and the PGA Tour 2K franchise, bringing their combined experience in both orchestral and jazz-influenced composition to the Aether & Iron soundtrack.

The score consists of 21 tracks (1 hr, 14 min, 49 sec) and it was refreshing to see that this was in reality a collection of beautifully multilayered themes and set pieces. There isn't a moment of the album that is wasted or relies on background atmospheric filler. From the opening to the closing piece, what Tin and Williamson deliver is about as close to a modern symphony as you're likely to get for a soundtrack. For example, I challenge anyone to listen to tracks like 'What We Leave Behind' and not be incredibly moved by the articulate way the composers shift and change the brooding themes.

There's plenty of jazz-inspired pieces too. Most notably, 'Dreamland' is the most pure swing jazz piece here.

This is a wonderfully scored and articulated album that will appeal to lovers of intricate scores, even if they've never played the game.

9

Darren Rea