The Last Of Us Composer Discusses The “Magical” Music Process Used For Joel, Ellie And Abby

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The Last Of Us Composer Discusses The "Magical" Music Process Used For Joel, Ellie And Abby

Highlights

  • Santaolalla’s unique use of the ronroco in The Last of Us creates an atmosphere of fear, love, and tension that enhances gameplay.
  • Through character-inspired music, the composer brings Joel, Ellie, and Abby to life, connecting players to the heart of the story.
  • The Last of Us composer’s ability to convey character emotions solely through music adds depth to the game’s narrative.

As a huge fan of The Last of Us, I can’t help but be in awe of Gustavo Santaolalla and the profound impact his music has had on this masterpiece of a game. The haunting melodies of his ronroco create an atmosphere that is both fear-inducing and heartwarming, adding depth to the already complex narrative.

The Last of Us is a remarkable game with numerous reasons for its accolades, but what truly captivates, in addition to its profound character growth, is the music. Composer Gustavo Santaolalla’s masterful use of the ronroco, a traditional Argentinian instrument, creates both fear-inducing and heart-wrenching moments through its subtle string plucking. The absence of this unique score would significantly alter The Last of Us’ unforgettable atmosphere that has touched us all.

The Argentinean composer Gustavo Santaolalla skillfully brought out the stories of The Last of Us’ main characters, Joel, Ellie, and Abby, through his music. His compositions not only enhanced the gameplay experience but also served as an unspoken intermediary, drawing players emotionally deeper into the game.

The Last Of Us Composer On Creating Characters With Meaning

In an interview with The Guardian, Gustavo Santaolalla recounted how his first music teacher in Argentina grew frustrated with him as a child because she felt she had nothing left to teach him, revealing the remarkable musical abilities Santaolalla had already developed at a young age. Following years of performing with a band, Santaolalla struck out on his own, issuing solo albums and crafting TV shows, commercials, and film scores. His accomplishments ultimately earned him Oscars for the films “Brokeback Mountain” and “Babel.”

Following his impressive musical performances in well-known films and even the Oscars, Santaolalla attracted the attention of an undisclosed video game company for their new project. However, the composer hesitated as he believed this opportunity wasn’t aligned with his desired career progression.

After receiving the Oscar, I found myself inundated with offers from various gaming companies. One European firm proposed a significant opportunity: working on a western-themed game that would have been both financially and publicly impactful. However, it felt repetitive to me – just more of the same music for gymnastics, shooting, fighting, and survival. Instead, I yearned for a project where the music could resonate with players’ emotions, going beyond the surface-level gameplay experiences.

The Last Of Us Composer Discusses The "Magical" Music Process Used For Joel, Ellie And Abby

I’m thrilled that Naughty Dog ended up being the right fit for Santaolalla to showcase his unique musical talents. Not just that, but as their composer, he had the opportunity to tell a distinct story for each of The Last of Us characters through music alone. As Santaolalla put it, “The six-string bass represents Joel’s strong, masculine side.” And the ronroco, with its delicate sound, symbolizes Ellie’s vulnerability. I didn’t realize this when composing the music, but upon listening back, it all became so clear to me.

When assuming the role of Abby’s character, Santaolalla shares that he employed the banjo as a soothing melody for the intricate storyline’s maze-like aspects. “One morning, I just woke up and reached for the banjo,” he mentioned. “The musical themes linked to her character seemed almost enchanted in their emergence. They materialized when I least expected it. All I had to do was strum the instrument, and it felt as if someone else was playing.”

As a passionate gamer and an eager fan of The Last of Us, I can’t help but feel excited about the prospect of a second season. The rumors swirl that we might get another installment in 2025, but no concrete date has been announced yet. Fingers crossed, it could follow the pattern set by season one and drop in January. Let’s stay optimistic and keep our eyes peeled for any official announcements.

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2024-07-15 13:38