Mirror’s Edge

Game Music, Music Production

Mirror’s Edge Composer Confirmed for Sequel

October 5, 2015 | Shawn Sackenheim | Comments Off on Mirror’s Edge Composer Confirmed for Sequel Share this

There’s a lot of hope and expectation piled on top of the long-demanded sequel to DICE’s 2008 cult favorite, Mirror’s Edge. We still don’t know a lot about Mirror’s Edge Catalyst and the origin story of female protagonist, Faith, but with today’s news it seems the music won’t be anything for fans to worry about.

DICE has confirmed that Swedish composer, Magnus Birgersson (also known as Solar Fields) will be returning to expand the fan-favorite soundtrack he created for the original game. Along with the announcement comes a sample of the soundtrack and a short interview with Birgersson over at the game’s UK website. Along with expressing his gratitude over the reception of the original game’s soundtrack he reveals a few tidbits on what to expect from Catalyst.

“I think there’s 70GB in my Mirror’s Edge Catalyst folder now,” Birgersson mentions in regard to the scope of the new soundtrack. “In the first game we had one stereo channel, but this time we’re able to real time mix four different stereo channels based on what’s going on in the game, allowing us to create an even deeper and more dynamic musical experience than we hoped for.”

On how he creates the dystopian soundscapes of the game’s City of Glass he adds, “I combine old, analogue technology with modern synthesizers and equipment. Modular systems, lo-fi synthesizers, VHS tape recorders and so on – it’s a mixture of many things.”

Check out the full interview on the official site or reacquaint yourself with Birgersson with our 2012 interview. And if you can’t quite remember what was so great about the original Mirror’s Edge soundtrack you can always refer to our review.
Game Music, Music Production

One Musician To Another: Solar Fields Interview

November 12, 2012 | Brad Dyck | 1 Comment Share this

Solar Fields (aka Magnus Birgersson) has been crafting sonic textures to melt your ears and envelop your soul for well over a decade. In the video game world, he is best known for his work composing the fantastic Mirror’s Edge soundtrack while also contributing the music from his album Movements to the Alien Trap game Capsized. He is also an acclaimed DJ and producer who is currently in the studio writing the followup to his last album Random Friday. In this exclusive interview with OSV, Magnus gives us some insight into his creative process and his experiences performing live.

Please note: This interview was conducted as a text-based correspondence, and we’ve chosen to leave Birgersson’s emoticons intact. We think the underlying message from the composer is that we should all smile more. 🙂 (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Yes, the game had more than that one vocal track! Mirror’s Edge Original Videogame Score (Review)

July 18, 2009 | Patrick Gann | 1 Comment Share this

Lots of people have made a big fuss about the vocal theme to Mirror’s Edge, Still Alive. Though I am personally a bigger fan of the vocal theme to Valve’s Portal (also called “Still Alive”), there’s no question that Lisa Miskovsky’s vocal performance for Mirror’s Edge was fantastic. So memorable was it, that five DJs and other remixers jumped in to do their own versions of “Still Alive,” which can be found on the EP “Still Alive – The Remixes.”

But what about the in-game score to Mirror’s Edge? Turns out it’s pretty hip as well, as long as you can get into the whole ambient/psybient/Goa scene. Swedish composer Magnus Birgersson, who goes by the moniker “Solar Fields,” composed the score for Mirror’s Edge. And, fortunately for us, said score has been available for digital download (Amazon MP3 and iTunes) since May of this year.

After the jump, you’ll find a full review of the Mirror’s Edge Original Videogame Score.

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Game Music

Mirror’s Edge Is Still Alive Contest Winners

February 19, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

Alright, you’re probably tired of seeing this image on the site, but at least we have our winners! It was a tough choice, as there were a number of creative and hilarious song title suggestions, but we’ve finally come to a decision.

Congrats to our winner, Red Z, with his entry, “Red Lights, Blue Skies.” Our runner-up is Jack M. with his stab at the gameplay in Mirror’s Edge:”Captain Repetitivo’s Motion Sickness Chant Part 2 (Live from Kyoto).” We’ll be mailing your prizes soon, so let us know what you think of the game and/or CD when they arrive! Feel free to head over to the original contest post to take a look at the other entries. Lastly, thanks go out to the people over at Nettwerk for providing the prizes!

Did you have a favorite title out of the batch? Do you think it was a mistake to call the song “Still Alive” in the first place?
Game Music

Contest Reminder: Rename “Still Alive” From Mirror’s Edge To Win The Game Or Remix Album!

February 5, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

There’s only a week left to enter our “Mirror’s Edge Is Still Alive Contest.” You can win the game for PS3 or a physical copy of the Mirror’s Edge The Remixes album. We’ve even made it insanely easy to enter, so there’s no excuse this time!

What do you have to do? Simply check out the original post and reply with your suggested title for the Mirror’s Edge theme song, “Still Alive.” The winner will pick between the game for PS3 and the remix album, with the runner-up getting what’s left! Get those entries to us by 11:59pm PST on February 13, and we’ll announce the winners shortly after.

Are you more interested in the game or the remix album? Do you like this comment-based contest approach better than the formal contests we’ve held in the past?
Game Music

Mirror’s Edge Is Still Alive Contest: Win The Game For PS3 Or A Physical Copy Of The Remix EP

January 13, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 24 Comments Share this

That’s right, thanks to the good folks over at Nettwerk Music Group, you can win yourself a copy of the game for PS3 or a physical copy of the Still Alive – The Remixes album that David reviewed a couple months ago. Previously thought to be a digital-only release, EA Recordings and Nettwerk have printed a limited run of promotional copies, making this a rare opportunity indeed!

So, how do you win? Well, I was giving this some thought, and I’ve noticed that a lot of people are fussy about how the Mirror’s Edge title track, “Still Alive,” has the same name as another popular song from a popular game that you’ve probably heard about! So how about you tell us what they should have called the Mirror’s Edge title track instead! Simply reply with a comment offering up your alternate song title, and we’ll pick the two best (or funniest, etc.) on February 13, with the winner having their pick between the game or the album, and the runner-up getting what’s left . Looking forward to seeing what you come up with, so good luck!

Did you enjoy the Mirror’s Edge in-game soundtrack? Do you think the Mirror’s Edge The Remixes album was any good in terms of commercial remixes that we’ve been talking about lately?
Game Music, Reviews

MIRROR’S EDGE THE REMIXES (REVIEW)

November 11, 2008 | David Bruno | 4 Comments Share this MIRROR’S EDGE THE REMIXES (REVIEW)

It’s a rare occasion when I am hit with a “music chill.” Now, I don’t think that I can write a concise definition for the term, but I can attempt to describe it for those of you who are unfamiliar with it. And for those of you who have experienced the music chill, you should know exactly what I’m talking about. In short, the music chill is a sensory thrill ride. It starts off with a sharp and tingling sensation that sweeps down your entire body like an avalanche. Your muscles contract and freeze up leaving you tense and chilled. The fine hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, immediately preceded by goose bumps that blanket your arms and legs. While this feeling only lasts for a very short period of time (upwards of 30 seconds), the experience is pleasantly overwhelming.

It is only suiting for a visually stunning and down-right gorgeous videogame like Mirror’s Edge to have an equally impressive theme song. After all, audio is 50% of the overall experience. So with that said, publishing powerhouse EA and Swedish based developer DICE (a subsidiary of EA) turned to Swedish pop star Lisa Miskovsky to score the theme song for Mirror’s Edge, and the result is “Still Alive.”

I was fortunate enough to check out the six-track remix album in advance, before its digital release which is now available through all digital service providers. Hit the jump to hear what I have to say about the Mirror’s Edge The Remixes album. (more…)