Giants is a collection of beautiful reinterpretations of classic and newer video game songs, with a few wonderful original arrangements by giants of the video game music world. Billed on the beautiful cover as a “Video Game Concept Album,” Giants does not disappoint.

The album pays tribute to the chiptune origins of video game music while blending modern instrumentation and productions to create a mix of old and new. It’s a fitting tribute to the genre’s origins and the massive creativity that was borne out of necessity. In the early days of video games it was impossible to recreate the full instrumentation of guitars, drums, horns, or strings on early sound-chips. This necessity became invention and a whole genre was pioneered, along with legendary composers.

Listening to the record in sequences, I clearly get the “concept.” Everything feels so very intentional. There are bombastic tracks followed by more somber tunes, there are songs that lean more towards the chiptune side and others that fully embrace modern electronic music production techniques.

Interspersed with original songs, the album features several tracks from classic Mega Man games in the first half and three tracks from the Ninja Gaiden franchise on the back end. Mission from Pulstar serves as a strong intermission, building gradually before exploding into melody, and then fading back again. The second half is more eclectic in its selection but just as strong. Truly, this is not just a compilation for compilation’s sake. There’s something for everyone here.

Songs like Iron Whale from Shovel Knight— one of the more recent releases on the compilation— take dramatic departures. Infused with Spanish classical guitar and violin, the song takes on a whole new life and is just completely different from the chip-tune original.

Another standout track for me is Quiet and Falling, an instrumental track from 2018’s Celeste that receives a dancy, dreamy reimagining (as well as new lyrics) by ABSRDST. The song reminds me of Owl City or early Porter Robinson.

Lena Raine, who composed the original version of Quiet and Falling, contributes to Art Thou the Holy One and Atolm Dragon (with Super Strikers), two tracks from our favorite Panzer Dragoon Saga! It’s hard to stay objective here. These are flat out awesome.

These are preceded by Terra Incognita, an original song from Saori Kobayashi and Takahiro Izutani—very intentional. In this way the record is a conversation between different generations of video game music composers—Giants of different eras.

Trying my best to set aside my obvious biases towards the Panzer Dragoon Saga songs and Kobayashi’s original contribution there are other additional highlights. Ultramarine, featuring amazing dancy lead guitar and horn break, and Full Circle, with an aggressive driving bass that gives way to tender synth melodies, are must-mentions.

With amazing production, beautiful artwork, and a stunning selection of tracks Brave Wave has truly outdone themselves. This label continues to put out spectacular music and highlight spectacular artists doing original and creative things in the realm of video game music. This album is truly a labor of love. I can’t wait to see what is next from their artists.