Florence + The Machine have released three tracks from the anticipated next instalment in the popular video game series Final Fantasy.
Titled as Songs from Final Fantasy XV, the English indie-rock band captures the cinematic tone that Square Enix seems to be going for in the upcoming action role-playing game.
The opening track ‘Too Much Is Never Enough’ dominates the EP with lead singer Florence Welch’s rich vocals, the operatic instrumentals, and an emotive hook.
Florence’s melancholic cover version of Ben E King’s 1961 song ‘Stand By Me‘ follows, but despite strong vocals as always from Welch, it doesn’t stand out as a unique take on the soulful original song.
‘I Will Be‘ closes the EP, a predominantly instrumental track with an ethereal quality to the orchestra and Welch’s gorgeous vocals in the background. Evoking a serene landscape, it is the kind of track that one would find concluding any epic quest.
Welch explains her involvement with the universe of Final Fantasy in a press release.
“I’ve always seen FINAL FANTASY as a beautiful and creative game so I don’t think I could have worked with another video game. It wouldn’t have made sense. In some ways the landscape of FINAL FANTASY and my own internal landscape seemed to fit quite well, it’s mythical and beautiful and epic.”
Game director Hajime Tabata expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with the indie band.
“We are incredibly excited to have collaborated with Florence…. Music has always been a hugely important and much beloved part of the FINAL FANTASY series, and with these three tracks we really wanted to create a musical experience to live within the game, and that will transport listeners, whether new to the series or not, into the epic FINAL FANTASY XV Universe”.
Those still getting over Square Enix’s delay of the worldwide release of Final Fantasy XV to November 29th 2016 can hopefully be reassured of the quality of the final product with this cinematic EP.
Songs From Final Fantasy XV is available for download from the iTunes Store and can be streamed through the below Spotify link.
What did you think? Are Florence + The Machine a worthy addition to the Final Fantasy universe? Share your opinions below.