Super Piano 64 & GameChops & Unplugged – Sonic & Sleep Review

What does Super Piano 64 sound like?

Piano-based video game rearrangements – often to soothe and relax.

The review of ‘Sonic & Sleep’ by Super Piano 64 & GameChops & Unplugged

Super Piano 64 often rearranges songs from classic computer game series in a way that recreates them as lullabies. After the excellent Zelda & Sleep, and then the Pheonix Down album which covered Final Fantasy songs last year, Super Piano 64 returns with Sonic The Hedgehog. In many ways, this is a far more exciting decision because there aren’t many ballads or slow songs in the Sonic franchise. It’s chock full of big chiptune anthems and surf rock guitars. Translating that to soothing nighttime pitter-patters isn’t easy, but this project has worked wonders.

There are 33 songs on this 100-minute album and the tracks run the gambit across several games in the series. As part of GameChops’ Unplugged series (hence the slightly odd artist titling), this collection is designed to calm the listener down and relax them. This is a piano solo album but the microphone setups allow for some interesting noise bleed and in-room effects. Tracks like the cute ‘Chao Garden’ use the key hammers and piano guts to make background clunks and crunches. ‘Live and Learn’ seems to bleed into the mic to create a strange honky-tonk detuned effect. Throughout the album it sounds like distant car traffic is passing by when a low note resonates. I can’t tell if it’s just because it sounds like a cosy in-room recording or if there’s a lot of post-recording treatment, but the effect reminds me of rustic country homes.

Whilst Super Piano 64’s arrangements are luxurious, uplifting, and bright – they are slowed down to suit the sleepy mood. That means ‘Star Light Zone’ sounds like a romantic fairytale or a farm theme. ‘Sonic Boom’ sounds heart-swellingly patriotic. ‘Casino Night Zone’ is now a bluesy and solemn reflection. ‘Green Hill Zone’ is slowed down to a ballet of raindrops, drenched in reverb. ‘Emerald Zone’ sounds folk pub ready. ‘Windy Hill Zone’ could score a quiet Ghibli character scene with its beautiful cadence and upturned melody. Some songs are a little trickier to transpose. ‘Chemical Plant Zone’ stays in a high octave for the entire track and lacks the dynamic range of other compositions. A particular stand out is ‘Hydrocity Zone’ as it happily runs the gambit of the keys whilst still having its own character and relaxed charm.

There is a lot to love with ‘Sonic & Sleep’. Initially, I found the slightly lo-fi recording to be a slight drawback but I’ve grown accustomed to it over repeated listens. Whilst I’d have liked some more low-end on the recording and arrangements, the delicate and rustic approach is solid. You’ve never heard all these bombastic, visceral Sonic The Hedgehog songs slowed down and treated like a music box quite like this before. I hope this encourages the GameChops Unplugged series to choose other riskier series and songs in the future. It is far more exciting when piano collections are made from unlikely genres or anthems. Try out the full album on YouTube first, but purchasing the album enables these projects to continue so remember to support the artists you enjoy. We all win that way.

Recommended track: Hyrdocity Zone

---

Support Higher Plain Music

Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.