What Makes a Soundtrack Great - Land of the Lustrous 

This made my day

So one could say that this anime is taking everything we've been doing for a while to it's mastery? The use of CGI, the use of music, the voice acting. It's nothing revolutionary, simply just it being taken to highest level.

I don't even know too much about music but that change from Trials in Winter to Battle was damn impressive.

I'm terrible at recognizing music, but even I took notice on Houseki no Kuni's soundtrack. Main Theme feels so nostalgic for me, it sends me chills everytime. It reminds me of the Jedi Enclave track for Knights of the Republic 2 even though when I went back ti listen to it, they don't sound similar, but the emotion I get from both of them is the same. Thank you for the great video.

I know absolutely nothing about music and attempts to understand it usually actively hurt my brain, but this is SUCH a great analysis, presented in an easily understandable way, and your editing and audio are slick as hell. You should definitely have more subscribers!

Nice detailed analysis, I did not notice the amazing transition there in ep.7 lol, thanks for pinting it out. For the lunarian theme, there are more depth to it than just being mysterious or foreign. The lunarian design is definitely inspired by hinduism/buddhism gods. The instrument in lunarian theme is most probably gamelan, so i asked someone who know more about the instrument and he said it's definitely Balinese Gamelan. This is interesting because gamelan is almost always used in various religious (particularly hindu) and cultural events in Indonesia, and Bali is the center of hinduism in Indonesia. Gamelan has been used a few times as a soundtrack in Movie or anime like Akira or Mushishi but this is the first time (that i know of) where gamelan is used without detaching it from the cultural/religious aspect of the instrument.

Whoops! Math is apparently too hard for my feeble brain, that or I was tired when editing that section but the violins should be split into Violin 1 - 12 and Violin 2 -12. Not 7 each since there were 24 violinists. My bad guys

I'm the type of person who doesn't really pay attention to anime soundtracks that much and forgets it over time, but Houseki's soundtracks just really hits.. There's that certain feel to it that's so beautiful and melancholic at the same time that i don't ever get bored listening to it over and over again, and i actually like to hear it again and again

The sacred geometey, Bhudist imagery, existential themes, rampant symbolism, the stainglass gem aesthetic; so much emphasis on the artistic qualities in this show it makes me jealous.

Just wanted to point out, a lot of the pieces are recorded with the whole ensemble on a stage at once, not spliced together from disparate recordings and it seems to have been recorded over only a couple different sessions, because the placement of the instruments on the sound stage is very consistent from track to track. I don't usually pay so much attention to anime OST's so i'm not sure how much of this is actually just industry standard, or if its a bit uncommon but yeah

this video is pure gold, I really want this show become as famous as some of the Ghibli works.

Wow, I knew that Land of the Lustrous has great music but I haven't realised how magical and complex it is. It's a pity that you haven't cover all of the Winter Arc's music suitability to arc's events like how you did it with Phos' routine. But still - thank you for your work and attention to my anime of the Year! Keep going and thank you again!

Great video, Land of the Lustruous was one of my favorites and the atmosphere it creates with it's music and sound direction so heavily resonates with the world of the story that it really stays with me. I have the main theme saved because out of all the tracks it is the one I am able to enjoy the most on it's own as it tells a complete story of sorts.

I love Phos's theme the most out of all because it sounds so upbeat and hopeful ironically...

Episode 10, Shiro chasing Diamond (from 17min 30 onwards), the music just gives me constant goose-bumps

As a flutist, I instantly recognized the mastery of the piccolo in some of the pieces. Absolutely beautiful 😍 I also felt so close to the soundtrack because how similar it was to some Studio Ghibli scores that resonated with me as a kid! It’s other worldly to say the least. Great analysis for a underrated yet amazing anime 😊 thank you!!

I had zero knowledge in music but I was blown away by the soundtrack nonetheless. Then I found this and i have learnt so much about music and the reason why i loved the soundtrack in the first place. Thank you very much :)

oh my god.....I had no idea who you were until my friend (who had been the one to recommend HNK to me, which I later became obsessed with) sent me a link to this, but......I've been waiting for this video. I didn't even know it, but I have. I'm so in love with the HNK soundtrack that for a while in the past few months it was almost the only music I would listen to (and definitely my go-to music). And you mentioned a lot of things in this video that hadn't even occurred to me. Thank you. Seriously, thank you.

this was really the perfect adaptation 😭 the art and music direction are just so good i felt so immersed

Thank you! It's happy to know your feelings and thinking about this show, specially the OST since nobody talked a video about it.

Great video! Though I will admit I'm surprised there was no mention to "Lunarians" (the theme that plays on episode 10, on the battle of Dia vs. Shiro), which is probably the strongest piece of the score for me, when that second half kicks in and the violins hit that epic riff, just as Dia is advancing against Shiro, holy moly I have goosebumps just to remember. Anywho, congrats on this well done video!

7:48 WHUAT That's amazing!

vi este video por primera vez hace 3 años, sigo echándole una mirada de vez en cuando, eres un genio

Shivers and chills hearing these again

Excellent Video!!

I'm literally awestruck. Really needed this kind of insight to appreciate this work even more.

The shift in ep 7 gave me goosebumps and moved me to tears. Jfc the score is absolutely beautiful

this channel is gold

this is the best video i’ve ever seen.

Awesome video my man. I always knew the soundtrack for this show was special, but you really opened my eyes on how subtle a lot of music and general sound direction is. I haven't rewatched the show since it aired, so I might have to get on that!

U earned a subscriber - - have a nice day

love this

brilliant show and beyond amazing analysis of composition it's like you see the matrix of art

This is an amazing video. I read the manga all the way through first (when we were at chapter 99) and then watched the anime. And damn, I was BLOWN AWAY by how amazing of an adaptation it is. The animation, the music, the sound effects... you hit the nail on the head. The soundtrack and direction is fucking FANTASTIC. I hope every day we get a season 2. There's such a unique richness to Land of the Lustrous that makes it stand out among its peers both in anime and manga. It's made with whole heart- no fanservice, no beach episode... it's just so beautiful and so deeply written.

Not a musical super genius here, but the soundtrack in the show always makes me think of my early childhood when I would walk around in my town in the fields and parks. Especially in the morning when it's sunny.

GREAT analysis. Beautifully dissected and presented. Thank you. This video has inspired me a lot. Also, I'd like to mention how the piano sounds are so suggestive and symbolic of the nature of the crystals: solid and smooth, as if the piano notes are being played by tapping on the bodies of the crystals.

It's so beautiful and amazing, but it makes me so nervous when listening to it for some reason

Amazing break down. It taught so much. Honestly, thank you for the grueling work you had to do to make this video. Speaking of sound design the foley work is incredible too. I love the sound of the characters chiming as they walk over the school floors or even when they fall on grass. From delicate tinkling to discordant shrieks it left me in awe of it's believably. Whatever they are doing for the crystalline noises it's more than smashing glass bottles (I think a lot of fine, crystal ware really bought it for this show). I was so focused on the sound I think I initially missed out on how great the soundtrack was. I won't after this.

This was on my watch-list for a while, but when I saw your upload it convinced me to finally give the show a try! Thanks for pointing me (and other viewers) toward a show with such an amazing story and score!! :)

god I love this video

This video was awesome. I'm a massive analyst and this in-depth look at the soundtrack was exceptionally intriguing. (you got a new sub btw)

You deserve a medal for going through it all

Late to the party here, but great job on this video! I really like this score, and your insights were helpful.

Oooh a RU-vid channel based on anime music soundtracks I’m subbing

The music is very into the Story itself... Going from happy, joyous and adventurous to dramatic, change, and growth then back to it, just like the Narative point of Phos him/herself, This is why I love instrumental... This is by far the BEST video i've ever seen, Keep it up my Man ^^

This anime was on my watchlist. Thanks for the video. Have a good week mate!

This is amazing!! I really love the music from Land of the Lustrous but don't have the vernacular to explain why haha Great video!

best anime ost. change my mind.

dUDE YOU'RE AMAZING I LOVE YOUR ANALYSIS, KEEP ON DOING IT AND YOU EARNED YOURSELF A SUBSCRIBER

Watching your video reminds me when I started learning graphic design. Just like how the color of red signifies danger and how the shape of square represents a feeling of resolute and stability. HnK OSTs are stellar. Simply stellar. Without it, you can feel the experience you had with the show to be cut to more than a half. Whenever I'm listening to the musics in my study, I'd get sad when Cinnabar plays, or I'd get alerted when Battle and Sunspot are rolling up. I too have a plan to learn music as a hobby in the near future. Thank you so much for your insights. For now, I can't wait to buy a guitar to start things off.

My gosh, thank you so much for this!!! I love learning about music and sound design and I'm always happy to see musicians' takes on a solid OST :)) There are so many wonderful things about Houseki no Kuni to gush about and I'm glad someone did a video about its music.

I love Houseki no Kuni ❤. Same as Made in Abyss, I'll never regret having given them a chance in 2017. I was so blown away as at that time most anime had started to tire me. Thanks so much for this great analysis, instant sub 🩷. I hope to see you grow bigger ✨

This video made me think about maybe going into sound direction when I grow up, thank you!

AN Absolutely FANTASTIC video break down. I sincerely hope to see more of this from you. SUbscribed.

Wow, amazing video on a pretty stand-out soundtrack. I just - belatedly - watched this show after years of meaning to get around to it. As a massive fan of Made in Abyss, I constantly saw this show mentioned as one of it's only serious rivals for 2017 AotY. Pretty consistently, I won't love a show unless its soundtrack really clicks with me, and I can definitely say that was the case here. Made in Abyss still edges this out for me - both as a show and for its soundtrack - but wow, this was impressive all round. Was pretty blown away to see you scored a comment from THE Kevin Penkin, but you honestly deserve it, along with a lot more subscribers. This was wonderfully detailed and thorough, as well as entertaining. When it comes to music, I'm no expert, but it's such a thrill to hear this sort of breakdown from someone so knowledgeable and passionate. Keep up the good work! Meanwhile, I've got some back catalogue to watch.

this is such a great video! the editing, script, everything is so phenomenal! i wish you channel had more viewers, more people need to watch these

i just found a diamond, yes, this channel is diamond itself. keep it up.. i really appreciated it! thanks for sharing with us.

Nice, also we got same glasses👀

Thanks for making this video! This anime and its music has stunned me real hard, I'm trying to transcribe those music into Logic Pro X as own practise . :)

I don't speak music, but this 'sounds' like a lot of work dissecting them. Must be a blast for you though because I feel that enthusiasm! I do noticed the show has unusually great transitioning between tracks than many others. Thanks for explaining.

The bells are Kagura Suzu in the Lunarian soundtrack. I was trying so long to figure out what they were and it was weirdly difficult lol. I love them, it's used so much in Japanese Anime soundtracks like Ghost in the shell Q_Q

this is seriously cool! as someone with a vast interest in musical techniques but no purpose for learning (i dont do anything musically except listen) it's always a treat to have information layed out in an engaging and intruiging way. I really really enjoyed the music in Houseki, it supported the visuals so incredibly well, cementing the lunarian's, gem's, and acculeatu's (sp?) sounds from episode 4 was amazing. The music is always in the background, but so good i couldnt help but notice it. it's always nice to know why i like something, rather than thinking "i just do." thank you, Shabu!

I was just searching for Land of the Lustruous's OST to listen, while I read the manga, and then I ended up watching your amazing video. I'm happy to see other people paying attention to OSTs, not only OPs and EDs.

Hey, finally got around to checking out your channel. Doing some good work here, I look forward to future videos!

houseki and made in abyss are the two anime that absolutely took my heart with the OST and animation. they'll always be my favorite

Thank you, Shabu. When I first watched HnK, on some level I knew the audio mixing was very good, but I didn't know it was this good.

I haven’t seen anyone else cover the soundtrack of Houseki no Kuni before, which in my opinion stood out more than the animation. Thankyou for making this :)

I don't know how many comments you get of people praising your content, so sorry if I sound redundant, but I just got done watching almost all of your videos and I wanted to say that I really appreciate all of the work you put into your content! I'm so appreciate you took the time to compile all of your findings like this, and your analysis are absolutely stellar! I can tell you definitely know what you're talking about. Just subscribed! :D You're one of my new favorite creators, and I'll definitely support any future content of yours!

first time seeing this channel, it was enjoyable. might be back.

Hey Shabu. I think the risk element can be found in the opening theme of the show. With its extreme use of syncopated rhythm. Zen Huxtable has a great video on it. called "The most complex pop anime OP"

theres this sound in in the soundtrack which i adore because it sounds like sparkling, as if one of the gems quickly ran across your mind 8:59 9:11 9:29 9:44

First time watching you, love how honest you are and how well you know (or seem to know) about musical troupes in soundtracks and worldwide composition. As a person who loves to give a lot of attention to soundtracks, I love that you appreciate Yoshiaki Fujisawa's work, and I have been in love with his work since Eccentric Family (Uchouten Kazoku) which I believe was the first anime soundtrack he wrote (and that I think to be his best work yet, probably because it seems like he had more fun writing it). Anyways, the part where you compare Land Of The Lustrous' OST to Made in Abyss hit home hard, since I have basically the same opinion. Both animes are compared a lot since they were released in the same year, and I personally think that the only aspect Made in Abyss has the upper hand in is the soundtrack. Still, both shows are terrifically great. Love the video and cant wait to hear your take on more soundtracks. Keep up the good work

yay !

Just discovered your channel and wow... Great analysis on anime music/OST's. Also, from your first video to now your editing is getting much better. I think you should check out (I wouldn't be surprised if you have already) Violet Evergarden's OST. No expectations or anything just making a suggestion. Good luck with the channel going forward.

I already love No game no life Zero soundtrack, and later on I discovered Hnk and it’s soundtracks. I was so surprised to see they both were created by the same person!

Hi there, I enjoyed your OST analysis of my ATOY. The way they use "Cinnabar" in episode 11 last scene make me almost teared. I also want to recommend another great 2017 anime Girl's Last Tour/ Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou too and want to hear your thought about its OST.

That's great:)!

Its late and I'm rewatching a Shabu video again, feelin' good

thank you for appreciating this masterpiece

So I just randomly discovered your channel today as I'm currently watching loads of Land of the Lustrous videos on RU-vid as a result of having just finished watching the series a few days ago. As someone who loves movie and TV soundtracks but lacks the musical background to dissect them, I'm really happy to see someone doing videos on Anime music especially Land of the lustrous which had a really good score. I'm sure you get asked about video suggestions all the time but would you consider doing a video about Hideyuki Fukasuwa's soundtrack for Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade works? It's a soundtrack I really like but for some reason most of the discussion around it seems focused on how people prefer Yuki Kajiura's work on Fate/Zero. As an underappreciated soundtrack I feel it is in need of being shown more love.

TO ANYONE WHO SAW THIS AND PLAN TO WATCH IT, PREPARE YOURSELF IT GETS ROUGH EMOTIONALLY

Gem butts

dope

LOTL sounds absurdly good, yes

hey Shabu (is it okay to call you that?) I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated this video and I'm looking forward to watch and listen to more stuff from you. I absolutely ADORE the land of the lustrous OST and literally just googled "land of the lustrous music analysis" because I wanted to know how it works and landed here ... and now I just might need to watch your whole channel. I'm fairly new to music (just started learning the piano this year and starting to read sheet music and yada yada and I'm in my twenties) and very interessted in how music works and evokes emotions, so your video was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for your interesting insights!

Thank you so much for your time and effort putting together this analysis on the HnK/LotL score! I know you were trying to avoid spoilers but I noticed that the Main Theme was also used to close Episode 12 and flowed into the Orchestra Version of the series' opening song Kyoumen no Nami that played through the final credits. Do you have any comments concerning that and how it relates to the themes and changes in the show?

I am a bit disapointed that you didn't talk much about Sunspot but the video was still amazing! And oh yeah... Why do you only have 300 subs? ^^. I got to help with that :p

My favorite tracks are awakening power, battle, cinnabars theme, and crushed (I think that’s the name but it’s the one where diamond hides from the monster)

A great video! Just found your channel, and it is what I was always looking for. Thank you. Would you do a video about some anime movies soundtrack? I'm curious about the differences between anime movies and TV series in the aspect of soundtracks and music editing.

Every time I hear a Houseki no Kuni ost it makes me feel like I'm about to wake up in a beautiful field. Pls make that happen. I need a break.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

i always thought animes just played the whole thing for every episode and make new recordings for others, I never knew they just made pieces and use transitions omg

Hope you will make video about OSTs of Kanon, Clannad, Air, they're good.

Can you mention some impressionistic pieces that are similar to the soundtrack you mentioned? I’d like to know.

1:49 "And a partridge in a pear treeeee~!

I can explain it better Sound sounds good in show Jk jk great video The music in this show made the show for me It reminds me of ‘the good the bad and the ugly’ it just wouldn’t be the same without the fabulous music

If you don't know, plastic scratches at a level 3 on moh's scale of hardness, while glass scratches at a level 6, with a deeper groove at a level 7, while sapphire starts scratching at a level 8.

I'll be sure to check out your channel :) Both scores of houseki no kuni and made in abyss were fantastic. This year was the first time I ordered a CD from Japan and it was those two. Well I ordered the vinyl of made in abyss' OST but it still counts for me. Both were worth the wait and money! As a question to you: what did you think of the opening song? It's orchestration especially in the full version is really fun (there is also and orchestra ver. Which was played in the last episode which mixes the main theme in.)

PERC ON TOP!!!!!!!!!!

Phos can cry too. He cries A TON throughout the later parts of the manga.