The music of The Legend of Zelda is as much a part of the series’ identity as all of its characters, locations and items. Although the specific arrangements change throughout the series, fans can always hear familiar songs and themes. This unique but similar philosophy of Zelda music allows games like The Wind Waker to have their own identity while still being unmistakably part of the larger Zelda world. Other games may have more iconic scores or a wider range of songs, but the music in The Legend of Zelda is one of the most recognizable in gaming history.
WITH Favorable wind and accompanying sea, ZREO: Second Quest – formerly known as Zelda: Reorchestrated – took the songs composed by Kenta Nagata, Hajime Wakai and Koji Kondo for The Wind Waker and gave them the full orchestral treatment. The group has been doing covers for some of the most famous games in the Zelda franchise, including Twilight Princess or Ocarina of Time, since 2004, but this is their most ambitious project yet. Everything was recorded remotely due to the pandemic, and dozens of musicians gave their talents to bring this classic soundtrack to life in a new way.
Few franchises so skillfully weave familiar tunes and chants throughout individual games; fans will instantly recognize an updated version of Zelda’s Lullaby or the classic Overworld theme when it inevitably appears in a new entry. Wind Waker brings an element of whimsy and adventure to these iconic songs, something that pairs surprisingly well with the full orchestral arrangement here. The result is an album that feels magical and emotional even if you’re not familiar with the particular song The Wind Waker. Any Zelda fan will love the treatment that MATURE: Second Quest gives to Link’s adventures on the high seas.
Fair Winds & Following Seas hits all the moments you’d expect from The Wind Waker soundtrack. There’s a joyous rendition of the game’s title theme, complete with trickling water and playful pipes to set the mood for an ocean adventure, and an emotional version of Princess Zelda’s theme that perfectly captures the bittersweet tragedy of the game’s plot. Ganondorf’s battle is as tense and menacing as you’d expect, followed by the silent contemplation of Farewell Hyrule King.
The addition of the ATLYS string quartet gives a beautiful tone and depth. They add an almost playful energy to the classic Legend of Zelda Overworld theme in The Legendary Hero, giving listeners a broad, powerful song that suddenly shifts to a somber tone. This song was one of the highlights for us simply because of how well it encapsulates the game’s unusual journey in one song.
Dragon Roost Island does a great job of blending ATLYS with the wider orchestra with incredible seamlessness. A fan favorite, it’s fun to listen to here as well, and it’s a great example of how these songs can feel fresh even after hearing them so many times over the years. The producers have done a good job of making this collection of far-flung musicians feel like they’re in the same room under the baton of the same conductor; you’d never guess those songs were recorded remotely based on how well everything fits together.
The only downside to Fair Winds & Following Seas is how much of the experience is lost in the pre-recorded nature of the album. These songs seem to belong in a great hall where the music has a chance to breathe and grow. The producers have done a reasonable job here, but nothing can really replace hearing these songs live. Not even the best speakers or headphones can capture the majesty of these works when performed by these musicians.
Wind Waker is a unique game in the Zelda franchise. The shaded visuals look like they should be more kid-friendly than the other games in the series, but the actual story deals with dark themes and deep tragedy. Capturing these shifts in tone is one of the music’s greatest achievements and Fair Winds & Following Seas. There are highs and lows without the album feeling rushed or aimless at all.
Like the game itself, the album begins with a solemn opening, but becomes more intimate by the end of the last track. It feels like the story is being told without a single word being spoken, which is one of the benefits of choosing to focus on one game for an entire album, taking the listener on this journey without rushing or confusing it by jumping between eras or titles like a ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation. It was an ambitious choice, but Fair Winds & Following Seas stands out among other orchestral arrangements of video game music.
So with this album, ZREO: Second Quest has taken one of the most musically diverse games in the Zelda franchise and allowed its soundtrack to take the listener on a complete journey. Fair Winds & Following Seas captures everything unique about The Wind Waker and gives fans a chance to relive it, making us long for the inevitable (surely!) day when the game’s excellent HD remaster is finally brought to the Switch. There are countless covers of The Legend of Zelda music available on streaming platforms and YouTube, and we claim that this album belongs to the best of them.
Conclusion
Fair Winds & Following Seas is an ambitious project that brings back to life one of the most unique soundtracks in the Zelda franchise. Choosing to focus this album on a single game allows the producers to truly explore the complex emotions and themes presented in The Wind Waker, and Zelda fans will love some of the subtle changes to familiar songs featured here. It is recommended.
You can listen to songs from the album on Spotifyand download the whole album via Bandcamp. Standard and deluxe editions of the discs are also available for pre-order via MATURE: Second Quest website until May 8, 2023.
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