The Pathless is the latest game created by Giant Squid studios. A mysterious island is plagued with darkness emanating from cursed beings, and it's up to a fearless Hunter and her Eagle companion to rid the island of these beasts. Austin Wintory created a pan-cultural soundtrack with diverse instruments including a traditional Swedish nyckelharpa, a Middle Eastern Oud, flutes and whistles, but he says the soul of the music comes from a six-hour jam session he had with the Alash Ensemble from Tuva.
During its three-year development, The Pathless grew in scale and identity. Austin collaborated with Giant Squid 's Director Matt Nava to re-imagine his music to fit the ancient, multi-cultural world of what Austin describes as a "playable myth."
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Portions of the soundtrack featuring brass and percussion were recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studio in London. Austin also rounded up many of the musicians whom he's worked with on other soundtracks, including wind and reed instrument virtuoso Kristin Naigus and plucked instrument genius Tom Strahle, and discovered other artists like Morgan O'Shaughnessey, who performed all the nyckelharpa parts.
The soundtrack is available on Austin's Bandcamp.
Episode tracklist:
all tracks composed by Austin Wintory, performed by the Macedonian Symphony Orchestra; soloists include Kristin Naigus, whistles, flutes, multi-curltural winds; Tom Strahle, oud, lute, sitar; Eric Snoza, double bass; Morgan O'Shaughnessey, nyckelharpa; and The Alash Ensemble; full credit list on Bandcamp
The Pathless: The Plains; The Redwwod Steppe; None Have Returned; From the Antlers; Nimue; Sauro; A Shroud over the World; Impetuous Beast; Gateway; The Rain infects all Waters; A land, which was not my Own
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Thanks to Dick Roberts for production assistance
