ABZU soundtrack complete OST - Music by Austin Wintory, with text commentary 

This is an ABZUrdly good ost

Dear Austin, you don't know me. Just a guy from Germany, but your music helped me through a lot of pain life threw at me. So, thank you. Thank you for opening your gifted heart!

Hello. I live in Ukraine. A couple of days ago I played this game with my seven-year-old daughter. And it was perhaps one of our best adventures this year. And one of the most enjoyable experiences. And the most important part of this experience was the music that you wrote for this game. It really sets the atmosphere and creates an impression. We were very well distracted from these sirens, shelling, what is and is not worth talking about now, all this theater of lies and madness around. It was truly an immersion into another world. I immediately thought that I should look for the soundtrack on RU-vid. And I’m especially glad that I found not just the soundtrack (and even with the author’s comments), but also got the opportunity to say thank you for your music. It was truly beautiful. Thank you.

Delphinus Delphis slaps

[ Gameplay spoilers ahead, just in case! ] Throughout the game I had this feeling of unease, expecting that at any moment there would be some sort of chase or attack scene involving the shark as the antagonist. So when the diver helped the shark and the shark sacrificed itself, man, I cried. Her teaming up with the shark's spirit to destroy the mines and push through to the truth as the music swelled... It was so unexpected for the shark to be a sympathetic character and to be treated with such love and respect, it was SO good to see that even now I get choked up thinking about it. This game is truly a non-hypocritical love letter to the ocean and everything living in it, 'scary' creatures included.

Having an awful night of feeling left outside and forgotten by everyone. So glad to see I can have an hour of distraction. Thank you, Austin. Thank for so much for everything you do.

Any game with music by this man is worth playing

I’m presenting an analysis of “Their Waters Were Mingled Together” for a music theory university course in a couple weeks. This commentary for the whole score is inestimably well-timed and useful!!

39:10 is a life-changing texture

Austin, it is never late, because someone is experiencing these games for the first time every day. I literally played ABZU for the first time two days ago, so, to me, you're essentially a wizard - never late, and precisely when needed. :D

As epic as The Pathless soundtrack is, I always come back to Abzu to serenade me as I fall asleep to its dulcet tones and glorious backing choir. A masterpiece this soundtrack is. Timestamps by the way 0:05 - To Know, Water 2:00 - Heaven was not named 3:25 - Seriola lalandi 6:33 - And the Earth did not yet bear a name 9:20 - Delphinus delphis 14:06 - No field was formed 15:52 - Caranx ignobilis 17:56 - Myliobatis aquila 21:23 - No destinies ordained 23:25 - Balaenoptera Musculus 27:17 - Architeuthis 28:14 - Chaos, the mother 33:02 - Arandaspis prionotolepis 37:15 - Elasmosaurus platyurus 40:33 - Icthyosaurus communis 42:31 - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum 43:38 - Their waters were mingled together 53:41 - Then were created the gods in the midst of heaven

Austin, I cannot even begin to express exactly how perfect this composition is. I had previously listened to this score separately while working but only just was able to play Abzû for the first time yesterday. And while I enjoyed the score well enough on its own, having now played the game I cannot describe how integral the score is to it. If you were to mute the game while playing, you would easily lose 80% of the experience. The score is magnificent and breathes life into every location. I had so many favourite moments in the game - the first time entering the fish corridor and when the dolphins appeared; the deep dive into the ocean beside the whales; exploring the ruins of the ancient city; the arrival of the orcas in the second fish corridor; riding on the back of the great white for the first time; leaping out of the water alongside a blue whale. All were magical and powerful moments illuminated by your score. When the great white shark passed, I was moved to tears. I have always been emotionally effected by music, but I have not been impacted by a score as deeply as I have been by Abzû’s since I was a child. Most scores in games and movies try to add to the experience while not distracting from it. This is the first soundtrack I can say does not play a supporting role in the background-it is an equal partner in the final product; the perfect marriage of visual and audio. I think the closest film comparison I can make is Disney’s Fantasia and Fantasia 2000, where the stories were crafted to fit the scores. I have gone on long enough, and I don’t feel like I’ve fully articulated myself as well as I have done in my head. But I really wanted you to know how fantastic of a job you have done, and try to put into words *why* it is a fantastic job. All of your hard work rewriting and editing paid off, and you should be immensely proud of what you’ve made.

Baelaenoptera Musculus gives me goosebumps everytime

This is the holiest rhythms I've ever witnessed in my video game experiences.

What a gift this score is........

This is one of these games where all parts are woven together so smoothly that it's so easy to overlook how much of an achievement every single puzzle piece is to the whole picture while playing - just because it's such a complete ensemble of impressions. All the more awesome the appreciation of every single piece once looked at (or in this case listened to) separately. Thanks for making this video! PS: The fan art & concept art as company is damn pretty, too.

ABZÛ is a great game, but with this music it's a totally different experience. simply beautiful.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do a breakdown of Hades' soundtrack. I just learnt that you were in that project and the musicality is blowing my mind!! I idolize you!!

ABZU my beloved

Thank you for this Austin playing this was like turning back into a child snorkeling in the sea again without a care in the world. music was incredible and gave me shivers all the way through

I heard the soundtrack quite some time before I got around to playing the game and I was immediately in love with it. Hearing it on its own was great, but playing the game and hearing how it all fit together was just incredible, it's so special to me. Easily one of the best video game soundtracks of all time.

I absolutely adore this soundtrack! I'm so glad that there are games out there like this!

I think I don't need to explain that I love this game and it's music.... After all I bought the soundtrack (listen to it almost daily) and the game 2 times, for two different platforms, for the original price and neither did I hesitated to nor did I regret it at any point... And I'd do it again any time

Dear Austin, just wanna say I am a Aquarius and I don't really like to listen to other people when it comes down to water but... Your music is the best of all times. If only they made a Abzu 2, your music is inspiring

Best ost ever. Austin you are a genius. You come from another world.. I begin to listen this ost repeatly since i lost my father when I was 16 years old. I'm french so it's difficult to find good words to describe how this composition is .. This is undescriptible... I know Max Richter, Hanz zimmer, Dario Marinelli, Dustin o'halloran and all contemporary compositer and you are just the best.. You are genius. Thanks for your work.. This project was the opportunity for you to build the best music I've ever heard and I listen a tons of music of all styles. You deserve so much more for this work. You come from heaven, with sounds of heaven. Thank you. I hate myself to not be able to speak english well now because I can write indefinitely about your talent and the magnificent of your art... My god... How can I describe my feelings about your work.. I'm so frustrated.. Never stop... Please.. I hope that you'll find another project who will make you able to create perfection.. Regularly I go to search new walkthrough of Abzu just for see how your music impact the gamers because I'm convinced that the combination of music and images make spirit of anybody go out from Bodies even of the hardest persons.. you are a therapy for all humans on this planet.. everyone must discover you.. Our world need you and genius like you who are able to touch the deep of all minds.. I'm sure even animals can feel the perfectness of your talent.

I'm writing a paper for my music theory class at uni on this score, this is gonna be a massive help thank you!!

This got me through many a book reading in university. Thank you for your work.

ABZU is absolutely special.

This music works fantastically well for D&D. Highly recommend using for your home game.

This is amazing as Playstation recently put out the game for free. Very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it and now get some commentary from Austin himself on the music!

I’m a marine biology student, and when I played this game for the first time there were several moments where I was genuinely moved to tears. The score perfectly captures the wonder of the sea, and why I want to protect it. You are such an inspiration, and keep up the good work!

Wow Austin, now that you've mentioned there're hours of music you didn't put into the game...can you imagine how much we want to listen it

Every time I hear the soundtrack, the songs evolve a bit for me. Feels like I get deeper and deeper into the emotion of each song. Truly wonderful work, Austin. Thank you

I recently downloaded this beautiful game only because I knew Austin Wintory made the music.

I wish I could find the words to describe how much I love this soundtrack. Thank you Austin Wintory!!

That "walking synth bassline in parallel fifths" as the "foundation for a surreal environment" really does it for me when I play the game. It immerses me completely.

Yes!! I loved the Journey video with text commentary so it's nice to see you continuing the tradition : )

I love how the track names are based off of the Enuma Elish, where the name, Abzu, comes from. The music is quite epic btw too. I liked seeing all this concept and fan art and commentary. I’ve never played Abzû, but I’ve listened to the soundtrack many times, and I’m glad to finally see all your thoughts and interesting facts about it.

Love the use of choir on this one. Reminds me a bit of Dark Souls 1 music, but with more beauty and less chaos.

Listening to the soundtrack after playing the game is like going through the experience a second time. Didn't know I could, but it's absolutely magical. Hands down the best visual and audio experience I've ever had. Abzû is truly special. Thank you for conducting this masterpiece!

Austin thanks for posting this! I've watched the other videos you've made about this OST but I've been waiting for some sort of content giving us more context behind Arandaspis Prionotolepis/Elasmosaurus Platyurus, since the ancient city was my personal favourite part of the game. A childhood fascination with Ancient Egypt and other "lost civilizations" certainly helped me connect on that level with the tacit storytelling and hints that allude to all that was lost, yet the incredibly magical music you put together for that section was what, overall, made me spend upwards of 30 minutes in the corresponding parts of the game with absolutely no haste to move on. That initial walking bass line, in tandem with the introduction of walking as a game mechanic, generated a really subtle but powerful moment during that first playthrough. Without discrediting the amazing work done by the rest of the team, I often play this game with the sole intent of experiencing it like one would enjoy listening to a favourite album. I always look forward to the ancient city, and get lost in the slightly different mixes we get in-game. Thanks so much!

Been waiting for this video every since the Journey version dropped. I've never seen a video game composer interface with the community like you do, Austin, and it blows me away every time. It helps that you keep consistently crafting some of the best music in the business. Keep being awesome.

You are an amazing composer Mr. Wintory!

I been cranking out pages and pages for my thesis and I use this and Pan's Labyrinth as my go-to writing scores. Cool to see some behind-the-scenes stuff, man! Would love a video like this for Erica and the whole Banner Saga trilogy

I like how the harmonies are very beautiful, like I might hear in classical and choral music, but there are little unexpected dissonances here and there. And sometimes there are full blown dissonant passages and "extended technique" stuff too I think.

Abzû is one of my absolute favorite games of all time, and that's partly because of the incredible soundtrack. It's so cool to see this deeper insight into it! I'm actually surprised by how little I noticed the recurring leitmotifs, haha. Now I won't be able to unhear them! Something I have noticed is the way that the choir is always singing the Enuma Elish, but you can't hear the individual words at all until the final level of the game, and only in the credits do they sing it comprehensively. I always loved that - it feels satisfying and cathartic, to finally hear it come together in the end! So, good job with that! It was a great idea and I'm glad Giant Squid agreed.

I really love, in the way I understand, how sounds are accompany all cycles of life like born, grow, discover, tragedy, reborn to arise and die at the end like a threnody of "no goodbyes, just see you soon" I really fall in an emottionally cascade of good feelings like our main carácter. I just want to thank you for what you created, for me, as a magnificent piece of art. Greetings from Argentina.

this literally changed my life. thank you sir Austin

Hi Austin, I'm a high school senior who recently got into USC's video games program, which I found out about through you. Play Watch Listen really convinced me that I wanted to pursue games, so I guess I should say thanks if you ever see this. I love all your music, but ABZU specifically is a favorite of mine so I'm real excited to sit back and read the commentary on it.

Journey and ABZU, so beautiful in it's gameplay and music, with no voices, it's like Fantasia for video games~❤️

The video on ABZU music you collaboraten on with Scruffy was one of my favourite and I rewatched it plenty of times, Im so happy you made your own commentary video! Thank you for all the insight and for crafting such beautiful composition. ABZU has and forever will have a special place in my heart, it inspires me with my own projects and provides comfort. I cannot wait to experience Pathless next!

this game helped me connect with my father, he's a musician himself so the music played a huge part in that

Crazy how I played journey when I was 9 and now I’m 21 in college. Your music turn any game you touch into something beautiful and has stayed with me all this time. Amazing work.

One of the best video game osts ever. Not only very high quality music, but it fits the setting like a glove

Ohhh you had me at abzu soundtrack :^)

Thanks for releasing this! It’s interesting, at 2:55 with those strings it sounds very similar to the later part of the Journey soundtrack, but it fits here too, like how you said in the recent video how composers have their fingerprint things that they do in everything. Love all your work!

I never in my life have ever returned to an orchestrated soundtrack so much in my life as much as Abzû. Austin Wintory and his use of tone with each region, section, and mood offered in this game is so diverse and rich. This soundtrack has helped me through some rough patches personally and I can’t thank him enough for allowing me the chance to dive into these songs and feel myself drifting freely beneath the waves. I love Giant Squids games and seeing Austin Wintory acting as an almost exclusive composer for them is amazing and has me looking forward to each new game and it’s accompanied soundtrack. The goal right now is to get a record player and get this on vinyl IMMEDIATELY

I only played this game recently, so this is perfectly timed for me!! This soundtrack is gorgeous, I can't pick out a favourite track though I do love Arandaspis Prionotolepis, and when Ichthyosaurus Communis comes on I am brought near tears.

This soundtrack is simply beautiful! Thank you for sharing your talents with us and helping make this game so memorable and moving!

One of the best art pieces the medium was able to produce, a true synergy between gameplay and music, hope we'll see more of that!

I've been listening to ABZU since 2019, and it remains to put me at ease (and cry) to this day. As someone who is working towards a career in marine biology, this game is so very special to me, and I'd like to share some of my opinions on some of these pieces that I've harbored over the years. (SPOILERS INCLUDED) To Know, Water- This is the perfect way to introduce all the narrative and orchestral themes throughout the game. I can't get enough of it. Seriola lalandi- I have so much nostalgia with this piece it's ridiculous. Delphinus delphis- The reef section of this piece is so chill, and the current sections really do capture the fun and the brightness of the level. And orcas are my favorite animal, so you can bet I've memorized all the musical cues for this level. No Field was Formed- I hung around this part of the game a lot because, again, orcas. Seriously, this piece can put me to sleep in the best way possible. Myliobatis aquila- As a flautist, it's my goal to be able to play that amazing flute solo at the end of the piece. It sounds like it's so much fun to play, and those low tones get me every time! No Destinies Ordained- That ascending violin solo (soli?) gives me chills every time Balaenoptera Musculus- This whole piece is a blessing. What else can I say? I love the waltz time, I love the oboe solo, I love the strings, and the crux of the piece never fails to put a tear in my eye. Ichthyosaurus Communis- This piece is special to me because I remember hearing that triplet in the violins and that flute soli for the first time and getting absolute chill WHIPLASH. Osteoglossum Bicirrhosum- To me, this piece sounds like the most beautiful and ethereal orchestral warm-up every put to paper. I am obsessed with the low strings here. Their Waters were Mingled Together- My favorite OST in any video game hands down. I make an effort to listen to this piece every day because it's *just perfect*. I love everything about this piece, but the orchestral swell in Epilogue #4 sends me to places beyond Heaven. It's incredible in ways I can't really describe, and matches the resolution to this story perfectly. I think I'd melt in my seat if I hear this live. Then were Created the Gods- This piece brings me inner peace. I love a cappella chants in general, and this is no exception. The final instance of the diver's theme here is so beautiful. Okay enough rambling for today. Thank you Mr. Wintory! I have loved, resonated, relaxed, and cried to this OST so many times and it's all thanks to you and your team. Have a blessed day!

Thank you for this fascinating insight. Perfect timing too, because I just played this game after studying and discussing it in a Video Game Music class I'm taking at my conservatory, and it's immediately one of my favorites - mainly for its music! ;)

became a fan of Abzu after stumbling into a collection of water-themed video game music, the soundtrack has become one of my favorites to listen to while working and relaxing. Through the structural breakdown of the pieces and the textures, it helps me realized that each piece has certain motifs that came from the piece before themselves, making them organized in a way yet being different from each other. Thank you for giving us such a wonderful journey behind your creative process on your compositions, Austin.

Yay! I love nerdulating to these!!! 🤓🥰

I don’t know what word to use in order to describe this score aside from “perfect.” Every single note is thrilling and brings about the idea of life coalescing and blooming, with the diver and the player being lucky enough to witness all of it happening. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been moved to tears listening to these songs. Thank you for sharing a masterpiece with us, Austin.

The real piece of class I admire this soundtrack for, actually using the original language of the Enuma Elis rather than an English or Latin translation. It adds a further mystique to things (like a Celtic-styled song using Gaelic or Welsh or Manx rather than English).

This is so nice! I really like theses types of videos, I loved Chris Christodoulou's one for Risk of Rain 2 as well!

I often play Abzu when for some reason I need to just relax, and this is why. The soundtrack - if just temporarily - washes away most of sorrows or anger.

Absolutely incredible

Thank you so much for writing this commentary! I loved listening to the soundtrack again. As well as reading the side notes and playing the motifs on my flute, lol :D my favorite is definitely then were created the gods in the midst of heaven. It's so elegant and beautiful with just the voice. So inspiring! I've been playing abzu and thatgamecompany's games for a really long time, and I have immense nostalgia for the scores.. I hope I can feel the sublimity of the ocean in the real waves again someday...

The last song makes me so emotional like its a feeling of love

51:47 never fails to give me chills

This is a great ost

What a wonderful idea of connecting the commentary of the making of to the beautiful music! Thanks for doing this!

Absolutely amazing, Austin you’re an inspiration

I was very glad to hear some of this music live a few years ago, at Magfest 2017 (I think?). I was thoroughly charmed by your introduction and remember smiling through the whole performance. Kristin's oboe is one of the most memorable instruments used in any game's soundtrack to me.

I've been hoping for one of these score breakdowns ever since I watched the Journey one! Incredibly excited to watch (and listen).

I guess I'm just drawing artistic parallels (and I can blame Disney for part of the thought) but this whole score really reminds me of Respighi's Pines of Rome. Obviously there's the Fantasia 2000/whale connection, but I feel I can draw direct lines from how Respighi navigates a soundscape description of a forest to what you're doing in each of these pieces The 3rd movement, the Pines near the catacombs--you reach a similar level of emotionality that Respighi reaches, but yours are found throughout the piece (in the oases from gameplay). I'd argue your work may even be more effective because of the totality of the art form (videogames) it's attached to. (Though I'm sure if you'd have written this for an installation or as a concert piece, you'd have skillfully used the tools native to those environments!) I'm rambling lol. This is all so great. Thank you for being part of one of my favorite gaming experiences of the pandemic.

I played this only knowing that you composed the music. Oh man it was perfect :) I cherish this game, and used it as inspiration for some writing too! One of the text boxes glitched in the beginning. Also I am 99% sure this is in the same universe as The Pathless. Wait... Diver confirmed female? As a lore enthusiast this is important to me lol. Edit: 100% in the same world as The Pathless.

> Replay

It's Wonderful and Perfect, Greetings!!!

Thanks Austin! Such a blessing to revisit this beautiful score.

For the song Ichthyosaurus Communis, I'm not a music person but it sounds like there's a little reference in here to Johann Johannson's Fordlandia? Particularly at 41:52 , the main city motif sounds a lot like something from that album. I was delighted the first time I noticed it, so I hope it's an intentional homage :)

Silliest admission. I have the music from Bandcamp (Most of your stuff!) but I still come and visit here.

I have listened to your soundtrack through and through at least once every 2 weeks; the music is incredible and as somebody who is terrified of the ocean, you made a game entirely about it surreal, peaceful, spiritual and beautiful! I love all your work!

Thank you for uploading this! You did an incredible job with this Soundtrack.

Another treasure from Austin! Thanks🥰

Gorgeous music. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us.

Thank you so much for posting this video, i was sooo excited when i saw it in my notifications

Thank you for yet another amazing video showing your process of thinking and creating. May I ask whether you had any prior or later musical influences for composing this gorgeous music? When the game creators introduced you to the ideas, themes and art, did any particular composer or musical piece came into your mind?

You're brillant, this soundtrack is a fucking masterpiece!

46:31 is my absolute favourite part of the whole soundtrack🥰🥰 that single oboe (is that correct?)...when I first heard it, I would repeat just these 20 seconds over and over again, for like 10 times straight or so...

I've onve again come back to the game and the music just fits it so perfectly, gives me goosebumps everytime. Thank you alot. I dont know alot about music but you seem extremely talented in what you do. I have alot pf respect for you and your work.

thank you so much

I absolutely love this game and soundtrack, thank you for this!!

Now we wait for the notated version😎

Not only is this a fabulous musical collection, but your commentary is really fascinating!

Sorry this ain't as deep (lol pun) as other posts, but I'm taking my online PADI SCUBA class right now and begin the in-person classes this weekend - listening to this while studying and preparing for that is SO DOPE! Thanks for this epic music! You really captured the vivid imagination that the underwater world fills our hearts with

No idea if you can answer this but will you ever go back to score another ThatGameCompany project or does Journey cast a creative shadow in any shape or form. Or none of the above-mentioned?