one summer night
A downloadable night
Words I Wanted to Say
I decided to lay this OST out as if you were progressing through a summer night, whereas each song is its own hour, starting with 4:00 and ending with 8:00. Each track also has a time signature that corresponds to its own hour, 4:00 being 4/4, 5:00 being 5/4, etc. I decided to use mostly the same instruments throughout, as everything is taking place in one night. Exceptions include the piano being switched out for a cimbalom on some tracks, and the drums changing pretty much every track. There are a couple motifs in there to hold it all together.
SoundCloud
For those who don't want to download.
Track 1
This was the first track I completed, and the hardest one to get right. Once I had this, though, I could start and finish the other tracks relatively easily, as I had most of the mixing, effects, and instrument selection done. All of the instruments are introduced slowly and one at a time to get you used to the sounds I'll be using throughout the OST.
Track 2
It's called "Through Death Valley" because that's where the hottest temperature in the world was recorded: 56.7 C. It's also the reason why the song is set to 156.7 BPM. It makes me feel like I'm crossing a desert with a purpose. And maybe I have cell service so I'm playing chess while doing so. The switch-up was put in because I couldn't figure out the timing for the lead's motif otherwise. I'm glad I couldn't figure it out at the time.
Track 3
"The Golden Hour" is the time where lighting is just perfect, as the sun is nice and red/orange/yellow instead of a bluish-white. When I wrote the song, the temperature was 31 C at 6:00 PM, so the BPM is 131 BPM. The piano is bouncy and fun, like the time I spent with my friend getting shots for the OST cover. (The cover is actually a heavily-edited photo of me!)
Track 4
What do you get when you dip the sun in the ocean? You get sun soup! The temperature that day was 88 F at 7:00 PM, so the BPM is 88 BPM. I also made the chord progression progress downwards chromatically, much like the sun chromatically alters the sky as it sets. There's something truly special about watching the sun quickly disappear behind that great line.
Track 5
At night, you begin to see constellations. Coincidentally, there are 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union, so the BPM is 88 BPM. After watching the sun set, you might have some deep conversations with people you care about. I know I have.
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Development log
- ReleaseSep 04, 2025
Comments
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I really, really like this entry, I have a lot to say about it.
There is a real understanding of time signatures in this entry, as showcased by the other comments. However, while it could've felt very "gimmicky" and "one note", it doesn't, and I think I know why
I think the best example is "The golden hour", which is in 6/4. Instead of going 1 2 3 1 2 3 like a lot of 6/4 songs tend to do, it instead goes 1 2 3 4 1 2, which actually makes it feel like you've added 2 more beats to a 4/4 songs, instead of just re-hashing 3/2.
Even the more chaotic "Soup of Sun" can be counted as 1 2 3 4 1 2 3, this stays consistent throughout the whole soundtrack. Every musical phrase in Ocean of Star can be counted as 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 instead of just 2 4/4. It IS actually in 8/8.
Like the time advancing as the the night goes on, so does the time signature, in a very satisfying way.
This all might seem basic at first, but then you actually listen to the soundtrack and realise that every song a banger. The instrumentation is perfectly chosen, fits both quick, energitic moments and mellow, down tempo melodies. And while every song uses same-ish instruments, they all feel distinct because of the differences in mood, feel, tempo and the drums. The drums I think were a real highlight for me, I really liked them, They all feel so personal.
My favourite is defo Soup of Sun, it's just such a great melody... It really feels like a representation for the everlasting sun, as it rests for the night. I don't have much to say apart from how much I like it lol
Second favourite is Ocean of Stars, when the night ends and the day begins. The song is the slowest of the album, but it also has the most impact I feel. It feels like a truly somber, but pleasant end to a dream. Reading the composer note about existential conversations that can be had at that time rang very true to me.
My third favourite is Date Plans, it's bouncy and upbeat, which you might think wouldn't fit for a Summer Night setting, but what is more energizing than being awake at a time most people are asleep? Feeling like you're doing something you're not supposed to? Even then, it's not all upbeat, the hints of melancholy present in each track is heard here, as it can feel lonely at night, even with others by your side.
One thing I really really like about this soundtrack is the subtle, main leitmotif. It's so expertly put into each song, I didn't even notice it at first... And then I relistened... And I did. Every song uses the leitmotif in a different way depending on its feel. It can feel happy, sad, hopeful, melancholic, all of the above at the same time.... And the synth that plays is sooooo good.
There is only one negative thing I have to say about this album, and it will not impact my rating, but I just had to get it out.... WHY DOES THROUGH DEATH VALLEY HAS A BPM WITH DECIMALS?? WHY CAN'T IT BE A PERFECT WHOLE NUMBER AHHHHHHH (I know it's because of the temprature thing, pretty clever, BUT STILLLLLLLL)
Overall, I can't believe I can just listen to this for free online. I love this one a lot. Tremendous job, MistaLOD, I'll be checking out your stuff.