Not just one song this time!
Well, some backstory.
I'm sure most people have heard of Touhou Project. It's a vertical-scrolling Bullet Hell game. That means take Space Invaders and multiply it by several trillion.
Also, all of the mid- and end-bosses are little girls with their own amazing background theme musics.
And
this is the theme of my favourite character of all time.
It's not a particularly well written piece. It's a video game BGM that's made to loop infinitely. Plus this character is stupid, so obviously the music doesn't really make you think "oh shit i'm gonna die" even though this is a really hard gamer.
But...let's see what happens when we kick it up a notch.
Replace the synths for a piano and throw in some effects! and it becomes one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard.
The two main themes (you'll recognize them immediately from the first song) have been removed. You can't hear them that clearly as they've been variated and ornamented to turn it into a new song. You can make out the harmony in the new melody, and yet, it sounds completely different. The composer who did the original is very talented for writing such a catchy piece, yet the person who remixed it into this piano solo is simply out of this world for taking a fast-paced, catchy BGM and turning it into a complete song, full of emotion.
Not emotional enough?
Make it slower and add vocals
I actually cried when I first heard this song. The sharp attack of the piano suits the soft sound of the violin perfectly as it leads into the soft vocals. The first verse alone is so calming. And then the acoustic guitar comes in. It makes you feel like you're at home, almost. The soft melody and the soothing tones of the instruments.
So it can be forgiven that you're not prepared for that BEAUTIFUL chorus. Yeah, recognize that melody? I thought so. The drums don't help you in stopping you feeling a shake of sorts. It is honestly staggering when you compare this alongside the original. One is fast, synthesized and technoey. One is slow, completely acoustic and very lovely. This is actually my favourite mix out of every other one I am going to post about.
Well, sorry if you don't like Japanese lyrics, but the vocals are done beautifully.
Of course, not everybody likes those slow emotional songs.
Faster, but still piano-based.
A lot more effects though. Notice the drums are synthesized this time. The vocals are different and echoey. The vocals still contain the same emotion, and when the chorus comes you can still hear the main melody that is consistent with this character. However, the calming soothing tone of the previous song is lost in this song, as if you can notice, the key of the melody changes, and by changing that as well as the timbre, you get a whole different mood - a near solemn, almost sad tone. And you can understand these lyrics, then that gets hammered home even more so.
Wait until everything drops out then the vocals burst back in a second later. Honestly tell me that didn't get you. The shift from major to minor in the piano just transforms the song.
You must be sick of pianos by now.
Well that's okay!
TECHNO! SYNTHS! FAST!
This has now transformed into a 100% pop song. listen to those artifical drums and bass guitar! Hear the cutesy voice stuggling to keep up with the tempo!
The fast pace of this song, the full 'rock' lineup (even if synthed) really makes this song addictive. As if it were one in the charts.
Of course, not even the chorus, hearing it from the keyboard intro/riff you can hear the main melody is still in there. The vocals are a lot less sad, while still containing solemnity, the lyrics are a lot more about looking up and things getting better. And when the song has gone back to major, I think you'll agree with me in that it fits, really.
Hell, this song does something the previous two don't. It uses all the themes. Listen to the guitar solo. That's in the original piece to, see?
This isn't a remix that was variated from the original. This is basically the original with a full band and vocals. And yet, you can't help but like how catchy it is.
WE'RE NOT DONE YET
This song has even been turned into an advert. And yes, it contains 900% crazy
No, drinking this will not make your brain bigger, despite what it tells you.
Of course, this particlar song is loaded with little in-jokes and memes that you have to be a fan of Touhou to full understand, and yet, the song itself. Oh god. Well, every theme and motif you heard in the original appears in this. It's just covered in ridiculous lyrics and fast instruments.
Unfortunately, you won't really appreciate all of that since you'll be too focused on your brain being killed.
And here we are, coming to the end of our journey.
Where the most stupid resident of Gensokyou tries to teach us some basic mathematics.
Before you click that link let me warn you; this song is crazier than the last. Only if you are seriously curious or you do not value your sanity.
Well... onto the song. Again, the lyrics are packed to bursting point with Touhou jokes.
And again, it's completely synthesized. And again, it's very fast to the point where it cannot be heard. But again, it makes use of every theme you heard in the original. In fact, for a laugh, try comparing this one to the original. See how much they've changed on our journey? It's crazy isn't it?
Well... I dunno what my original point was anymore. Except that the Japanese can remix anything into anything.
