Key information
Square Enix continues to find new ways to utilize its vast music catalogue, releasing genre-shifting projects such as Final Fantasy 10: House Grooves, following a similar album for Final Fantasy 9. This release transforms the traditionally mournful or moody role-playing game score into dance music, though the reviewer notes it feels like an unusual union.
The album features various remixes, including 'To Zanarkand', which the reviewer compares to lounge music heard at a GDC hotel bar circa 2014, concluding that the two styles ultimately gel despite evoking different feelings. Another standout is the atmospheric track 'Phantoms' from the icy Macalania sections, which fits naturally due to its prior sampling in vapourwave and chillwave playlists.
However, not all tracks mesh successfully. The reviewer points out that turning 'Wandering', perhaps the saddest track triggered after Sin murders soldiers on a beach, into a danceable rhythm fails to blend properly, resulting in two separate pieces playing over each other, though the reviewer still enjoys listening to it.
The album likely exists to adapt the game's boss theme, 'Fight with Seymour', into a club-ready track that incorporates the Blitzball theme hook. Ultimately, the reviewer views the release as satisfying nostalgia and playful pandering, despite admitting it probably will not be spun on Boiler Room or played at mainstream parties.
