There’s only one other artist that I know of that creates fictional soundtracks, Storm-Drunk Whale. When I saw that LETO was going to release their own fictional game soundtrack, I was curious. Would it be a more formal soundtrack or something different? [OVA] DERIVED CITY: SCRAMBLE is a soundtrack that’s less of background support and more the main storyteller for this fictional game.
LETO debuted in 2023 with a pop rock, indie rock mix. It’s an easy sound to get into and enjoy. In my opinion, it sounds like less of a video game soundtrack and more of an animated series. LETO doesn’t stray far from the original core roots with an upbeat pop and rock sound that’s augmented with synthesizer. This transition is easily heard on the first two tracks, “Take-Off” and “Abstract Odyssey.”
And with the future-tech, robot visuals from the album cover, you get drawn into the world with “Erotic Trauma.” The vocals are core to the song’s emotion. There’s definitely a strong narrative in the songs, but it’s difficult to imagine what they’re connected to. There’s both Salyu‘s All About Lily Chou-Chou mixed with The Pillows FLCL soundtrack thematic quality.
In a way, angling [OVA] DERIVED CITY : SCRAMBLE as a game soundtrack allows LETO to make an album that doesn’t connect from song to song. It lets them try different things and sonically connect them to a varied loose narrative. “Lalalala… I Can Sing a Love Song” is a perfect example. It’s an indie pop/city pop song that doesn’t exactly fit neatly, but as a single, it’s very good.
I will say that I think the last four songs, especially “Bullet Train 195,” are the strongest songs on [OVA] DERIVED CITY : SCRAMBLE. I kind of wish there was a dynamic hardcore/metal song on the album. Partially because, as I listen to this as a video game soundtrack, I don’t hear an Act Two conclusion where the protagonist fails.
LETO’s concept album is interesting. It has a lot of great songs and hooks. I wish there were associated art with each song to know where in the story the track was attached. Otherwise, this is a fun listen that takes you for a ride.
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Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.