![THE SOUND TEST 2 - #11 - Rakuen (w/Laura Shigihara) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW / PODCAST] @TheSoundTest](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IDD1yU3-izw/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Styled as a 2D RPG adventure, Rakuen follows the emotional journey of an unnamed Boy and his mother. Hospitalised by a difficult illness, the boy finds solace in stories of a magical land.
As the narrative unfolds, music becomes integral to the experience. Melodies tie directly into plot threads, and help drive gameplay in some inventive ways. You’d expect nothing less from Laura Shigihara, who joins me for her third Sound Test appearance.
Throughout this podcast, we’ll explore some of Rakuen’s key themes, and what inspired them. There are also a few details about story beats, including the ending, so be warned of spoilers!
Lee Tyrrell on Twitter:
twitter.com/GreenT128
Laura Shigihara on Twitter:
twitter.com/supershigi
Extra credits:
Visualisations by the incredible Laundry_Hamper!
Instrumental version of "Jump" by goodpea2:
youtube.com/watch?v=BvFsitAqRzM
Instrumental version of "Build a Little World with Me" by AndrewFMs:
youtu.be/E2z1glM4aE8
Also available through:
Audioboom
audioboom.com/posts/7629350-st2-11-rakuen-w-laura-shigihara-composer-interview-podcast
iTunes
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2
Spotify
open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC
Stitcher
stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr
and many more...
Early access, unedited interviews, LIVE shows and more:
patreon.com/_secretcave
#VGM #VideoGameMusic #Rakuen #Supershigi
Styled as a 2D RPG adventure, Rakuen follows the emotional journey of an unnamed Boy and his mother. Hospitalised by a difficult illness, the boy finds solace in stories of a magical land.
As the narrative unfolds, music becomes integral to the experience. Melodies tie directly into plot threads, and help drive gameplay in some inventive ways. You’d expect nothing less from Laura Shigihara, who joins me for her third Sound Test appearance.
Throughout this podcast, we’ll explore some of Rakuen’s key themes, and what inspired them. There are also a few details about story beats, including the ending, so be warned of spoilers!
Lee Tyrrell on Twitter:
twitter.com/GreenT128
Laura Shigihara on Twitter:
twitter.com/supershigi
Extra credits:
Visualisations by the incredible Laundry_Hamper!
Instrumental version of "Jump" by goodpea2:
youtube.com/watch?v=BvFsitAqRzM
Instrumental version of "Build a Little World with Me" by AndrewFMs:
youtu.be/E2z1glM4aE8
Also available through:
Audioboom
audioboom.com/posts/7629350-st2-11-rakuen-w-laura-shigihara-composer-interview-podcast
iTunes
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2
Spotify
open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC
Stitcher
stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr
and many more...
Early access, unedited interviews, LIVE shows and more:
patreon.com/_secretcave
#VGM #VideoGameMusic #Rakuen #Supershigi
![THE SOUND TEST 2 - #11 - Rakuen (w/Laura Shigihara) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW / PODCAST]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IDD1yU3-izw/mqdefault.jpg "THE SOUND TEST 2 - #11 - Rakuen (w/Laura Shigihara) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW / PODCAST]
Styled as a 2D RPG adventure, Rakuen follows the emotional journey of an unnamed Boy and his mother. Hospitalised by a difficult illness, the boy finds solace in stories of a magical land.
As the narrative unfolds, music becomes integral to the experience. Melodies tie directly into plot threads, and help drive gameplay in some inventive ways. You’d expect nothing less from Laura Shigihara, who joins me for her third Sound Test appearance.
Throughout this podcast, we’ll explore some of Rakuen’s key themes, and what inspired them. There are also a few details about story beats, including the ending, so be warned of spoilers!
Lee Tyrrell on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/GreenT128
Laura Shigihara on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/supershigi
Extra credits:
Visualisations by the incredible Laundry_Hamper!
Instrumental version of Jump by goodpea2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvFsitAqRzM
Instrumental version of Build a Little World with Me by AndrewFMs:
https://youtu.be/E2z1glM4aE8
Also available through:
Audioboom
https://audioboom.com/posts/7629350-st2-11-rakuen-w-laura-shigihara-composer-interview-podcast
iTunes
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr
and many more...
Early access, unedited interviews, LIVE shows and more:
http://patreon.com/_secretcave
#VGM #VideoGameMusic #Rakuen #Supershigi")
![The Sound Test LIVE - 13/11/20 [Weekly VGM Radio & Podcast] (feat. Barry Leitch)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IRFbV7u4b3A/mqdefault.jpg "The Sound Test LIVE - 13/11/20 [Weekly VGM Radio & Podcast] (feat. Barry Leitch)
The Sound Test welcomes yet another big interview guest this week, as Barry Leitch joins me for a chat about his whole legendary career. From his music and sound for a string of popular racing games to his intriguing work on childrens toys, we cover a lot of interesting ground. It was fantastic to have Barry on the show, and I hope we talk again soon!
The theme for this week otherwise, though, is final bosses; main antagonists. Along with my own top five, we of course hear some great choices from listeners as we explore some of the most iconic and interesting end baddies of all time.
This weeks playlist:
Part 3 – Mike Richmond [Cocoa and the Time Machine 2: 24 Hour Parsley People]
Dracula’s Castle – Michiru Yamane [Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]
Imaginary Places – Busdriver [Tony Hawk’s Underground]
Escape – Jonah Senzel [Pony Island]
Bigfoot Party – Clint Bajakian, Michael Land and/or Peter McConnell [Sam & Max: Hit the Road]
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee – Terry Scott Taylor [Skullmonkeys]
Buttville – Tommy Tallarico [Earthworm Jim]
Final Zone – Masato Nakamura [Sonic the Hedgehog]
EOL Boss 2 – Marten Joustra and Andy Blythe, Michael Giacchino or Matt Furniss [Mickey Mania]
Gang-Plank Galleon – David Wise [Donkey Kong Country]
Undercaves – Spencer Nilsen, Brian Coburn and/or Andras Magyari [Ecco the Dolphin]
Snake Eater – Norihiko Hibino and Cynthia Harrell [Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]
Flame of the Ancient World – Mark Morgan [Fallout]
Laniakiea – Valentine Parkhomenko [Cradle]
Las Vegas – Barry Leitch [Top Gear]
A Very Final Finale – Barry Leitch [Horizon Chase Turbo]
Deadbeard’s Battle Theme – Motoi Sakuraba [Golden Sun]
Formidable Oak (Exterior, Interior, Plasm Wraith Battle!) – Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi and/or Hajime Wakai [Pikmin 3]
Escape – Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung and/or Maki Kirioka [Metal Gear Solid]
The Prince of Darkness – Koji Kondo [The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]
Battle in Japan – Akira Yamaoka and Andrius Klimka [World of Tanks]
Terracotta Army (The End) – Gareth Coker [Minecraft: Chinese Mythology]
Select – Junk Ozawa and/or Jesahm [Donkey Konga]
Master Hand – ??? [Super Smash Bros. for 3DS]
Theme of M. Bison – Masahiro Aoki, Hideyuki Fukasawa, Keiki Kobayashi, Takatsugu Wakabayashi and/or Zac Zinger [Street Fighter V]
One-Winged Angel – Nobuo Uematsu [Distant Worlds]
Ultimate Koopa – Koji Kondo [Super Mario 64]
MAIN THEME:
Mahito Yokota, Toru Minegishi, Koji Kondo & Yasuake Iwata - World 8 [Super Mario 3D World]
Discord:
https://discord.gg/xeMfzWy
Requests and contact:
https://twitter.com/GreenT128
The Sound Test on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thesoundtest/
Original episodes of The Sound Test LIVE, with Dale Fowler, are available through Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/_secretcave
Also available through:
Audioboom:
https://audioboom.com/posts/7730449-live-13-11-20-weekly-vgm-radio-podcast-feat-barry-leitch
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC
iTunes
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr
#VGM #VideoGameMusic #FinalBosses")
![THE SOUND TEST Bonus - Psychonauts (w/Peter McConnell) [INTERVIEW / PODCAST]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LCv50qwC64w/mqdefault.jpg "THE SOUND TEST Bonus - Psychonauts (w/Peter McConnell) [INTERVIEW / PODCAST]
In this Sound Test BONUS, Im joined by Peter McConnell for a detailed look at the music of Psychonauts - just ahead of the release of its long-awaited sequel!
Within, youll hear details about Psychonauts cinematic and gameplay scores, their use of live instrumentation and plenty of insightful thoughts on specific, well-loved tracks. We also discuss the games VR sequel - Rhombus of Ruin - and the implications of composing for virtual reality.
This is a must-hear for all Psychonauts fans, and keep your eye out for another talk with Peter about Psychonauts 2 following its release!
Lee Tyrrell on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/GreenT128
Peter McConnell on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/PeterNMcConnell
The Sound Test is also available through:
Audioboom
https://audioboom.com/channels/4966905
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC
iTunes
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr
and many more!
Pledge to https://patreon.com/_secretcave to help support The Sound Tests second season, and unlock backdated episodes of its LIVE version (and other content)!
#VGM #VideoGameMusic #Psychonauts")
![Race Kings OST - Theme - Steve Collett (aka Steve Rockett) [ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MFA2YOH8Bgg/mqdefault.jpg "Race Kings OST - Theme - Steve Collett (aka Steve Rockett) [ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK]
HIGH-QUALITY DOWNLOAD:
https://greentearooms.bandcamp.com/track/race-kings-theme
Composed and performed by Steve Collett (aka Steve Rockett).
This track is available on disc four of The Collett Collection, which brings together Steve Colletts music for six different driving games, and more!
https://greentearooms.bandcamp.com/album/the-collett-collection-motogp-2-speed-kings-the-italian-job-crash-n-burn-more
The Sound Tests Racing Special, an in-depth documentary podcast with Steve Collett, Ian Livingstone and TDK:
https://audioboom.com/posts/7675236-st2-12-racing-special-w-steve-collett-ian-livingstone-and-tdk-composer-interview-podcast
#VGM #RaceKings")
![THE SOUND TEST #09 - Tomb Raider Trilogy (w/Nathan McCree) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW / PODCAST]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N5tw6IclNak/mqdefault.jpg "THE SOUND TEST #09 - Tomb Raider Trilogy (w/Nathan McCree) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW / PODCAST]
Before Hollywood film adaptations, and more reboots than you can shake a Desert Eagle at, Tomb Raider began life as a trilogy of revolutionary 3D platformers. Its slow, contemplative atmosphere was enhanced at every step by beautiful music from Nathan McCree. In this episode, Nathan discusses the audio for Tomb Raider I, II & III, along with some of his earliest work on the Sega Megadrive/Genesis. Nathan is a true legend of VGM, and his recent Tomb Raider Suite is proof of his legacy.
Lee Tyrrell on Twitter
(https://twitter.com/GreenT128)
Nathan McCree on Twitter
(https://twitter.com/nrpmccree)
Tomb Raider Official Twitter
(https://twitter.com/tombraider)
Tomb Raider Suite Official Twitter
(https://twitter.com/TRSuiteOfficial)
Also available on:
iTunes
(https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2)
Spotify
(https://open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC)
Audioboom
(https://audioboom.com/posts/7012516-tomb-raider-trilogy-w-nathan-mccree)
Twitch
(https://www.twitch.tv/videos/312587986)
Stitcher
(https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr)
...and many more!
Pledge to my Patreon to help support The Sound Test, and next years second series.
(https://www.patreon.com/_secretcave)")
