Listen to This Ambitious Synthwave Remix of “Astral Observatory” From Majora’s Mask
Posted on October 30 2021 by Sean Gadus
The Astral Observatory and its music holds a special place in my heart. While Majora’s Mask is not my favorite Zelda game, the Nintendo 64 game is one of the most visually and thematically rich Zelda titles. The game is full of stunning, unforgettable moments that inspire strong emotions like awe, joy, sorrow, and despair. As a key part of the first day sequence, the Astral Observatory is one of the first locations the player must visit in the game. After a brief sojourn through some dank sewers, the player is greeted with a mysterious melody that sets the tone for the whimsical and mysterious observatory. Very few fans will forget the first time they made the journey up the winding stairs to explore the Astral Observatory.
One of the challenges with listening to a large amount of Zelda arrangements over the years is that many of them start to blur together. This incredible synthwave remix of “Astral Observatory by Chillboy Beats is in no danger of being forgotten anytime soon. This stylish arrangement does a great job of capturing the ethereal, otherworldly feel that the origins song is known for. The lush synth sounds and thrumming base keep the song moving at a tempo that feels just fast enough. The real treat with this arrangement is the incredible “saxophone-like” solo that starts at 0:50. This wailing solo gives the entire song a second wind, and it makes the listener feel like they are hearing a completely new track. The sound of the solo also helps set this arrangement apart from many other synthwave covers.
Overall, this is one of the most memorable Zelda remixes I have heard in a long time, and it will be on my playlist for some time going forward. There are some great little details sprinkled in the track, like audio from Skull Kid and the fairies. Skull Kid’s laugh can be heard in the opening moments of the song, while the sound effects for Tatl and Tael can be heard at the conclusion. It would be great to see Chillboy Beats take on other songs from Majora’s Mask. I would be interested to see what else they could come up with songs like “Great Deku Palace” or “New Wave Bossa Nova”!
What do you think of this wonderful synthwave arrangement of “Astral Observatory” by Chillboy Beats? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Chillboy Beats
Sean Gadus is a Senior Editor at Zelda Dungeon. His first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time, and he loves all of the 3D Zelda games from 1998-2011. The final battle of Tears of the Kingdom is one of his favorite final battles in the entire series. He wants to help build a kinder, more compassionate world. You can check out his other written work at The-Artifice.com.
