The Art of Solitude: Thomas Was Alone OST (Review)

^[1]

As much as I love the simplicity of a piano solo track, there’s something to be said for decorating a piano solo track with other instruments to help it stand in stark relief. Sometimes, to portray loneliness, you need a few props, not just an empty stage.

So it is with the soundtrack to the new indie platformer Thomas Was Alone, an emotionally evocative game ^[2] with an equally evocative soundtrack.

After the jump, my thoughts on the game’s soundtrack, composed by David Housden. And, of course, a bandcamp player is included.

So here’s the sound palette: piano, strings, guitar, and lots of decorative / retro synth. Upon first glance, it’d be simple to just file this away as “ambient” and be done with it. But, after playing the game, I found myself drawn to the soundtrack. It deserved more than a passing glance. I decided to look deep, to drink deep, from the well of solitude.

There’s a peace that comes from solitude. That peace is what I hear in this soundtrack. There’s a peace that comes from finding one’s way out of hell. I hear that in this soundtrack as well, especially in the simply titled closing tracks “Escape” and “Freedom.”

What’s great about this 11-track soundtrack, among other things, is its consistency and effective re-use of simple chord progressions and melodic phrases. In one song, that phrase takes a melancholic, minor-key turn. In another song, such as “A Time For Change,” little tweaks in the music make that same motif bright and vibrant. Amazing what a little light percussion can do.

So, instead of just filing this one under “ambient,” let’s try this: fans of Kan Gao’s To the Moon and Jessica Curry’s Dear Esther would be wise to check this out as well. That said, I don’t think this soundtrack would’ve grown on me half as well without having played the excellent game itself. So, for all you indie gamers out there, head to thomaswasalone.com ^[4] to pick up the game direct or via Desura (the game isn’t on Steam, at least not at this point) for $10 (USD). The soundtrack, on the other hand, is priced in British pounds, and is ₤2.99 on bandcamp ^[5]. The critical acclaim is not a front. This isn’t just hype. Experience the game and the soundtrack for yourself, and if I’m wrong, tell me to my (virtual) face by leaving a comment.