New Horizons’ music is my least favorite in the series, but there are a few tracks that manage to still stand out.
I guess I’ll state my opinion on all of them... (Warning: I’m a harsh critic but I still tend to sugarcoat things out of habit... sometimes. Take what you want from that info I guess.)
5 AM- Simple yet magical, almost otherworldly in a sense... calm, peaceful... lonely. It does sound lonely to me, but also warm, as if your friends are far away, yet the memories are held close. This is my favorite, mainly because it evokes these personal emotions in me. I find that a piece of music that can tell a story or emotion without words is special.
6 AM- Meh. I’m not exactly a fan of the acoustic guitar as an instrument myself, I like it at times, but not... generally. This song feels sleepy and there isn’t much energy. Fitting for 6 AM I guess.
7 AM- This is when the fun starts. It sounds like the modest start of what ends up being a big adventure. Still a little slow, but upbeat. Could get quite nostalgic eventually... if only I was actually up at 7 AM.
8 AM- I find it fun and uplifting, even though it sounds like it could be on one of those annoying commercials. I like how the keyboard/synth gets funky, and I even like how the acoustic guitar sounds. It sounds like a nice, carefree day. Sometimes, a fun time is all music needs to be.
9 AM- A personal favorite. Lazy and laid-back, yet it feels like the epitome of island/relaxation music, which is the theme of this game. I can also see it being background music in a slice-of-life anime. It does get jazzy/funky at times, which I really like as well. I find that the acoustic guitar, which I usually don’t like, actually compliments this piece! Strange.
10 AM- This one is weird. It starts off kinda weak, but then progresses and gets better and better, and then as soon as it gets wonderful, it loops and becomes weak again? Eh. I like the trumpets and synth I guess.
11 AM- It doesn’t exactly feel like 11 AM, I’d say 8 AM and this track might need to switch... idk. It’s lazy and such, doesn’t really do much for me. The synth is a nice touch. I do notice the synth sounds the same in every track. In fact, all the instruments sound the same in every track... I think I like New Leaf’s soundtrack because the instruments had more variety.
12 PM- It gives off a similar feel to 9 AM to me, and I have similar things to say about it. Very relaxing and chill. I could totally see myself sitting on the beach listening to this, with a tropical drink, relaxing... I really love the shakers/maracas as instruments. They might be my favorite percussion sounds.
1 PM- Eh. Meh. Sounds like someone deleted a chunk of the instruments. Where’s the liveliness? Where’s the uniqueness?
2 PM- I’m a little biased towards actually liking this more than... most people. It reminds me of music that would play in early 2000’s cartoons and therefore feels nostalgic I guess. But I do admit the synth is a little irritating, but I wouldn’t have thought that if someone didn’t bring it up.
3 PM- Mostly neutral to this one. I like the trumpets I guess. I really can’t think of anything to say. I don’t have strong feelings about it.
4 PM- This one is nice, I can feel a bit of “it’s getting late, but not quite. The sun is still up and we still have time” sort of vibe. But things are slowing down ever so slightly. I feel this theme captures it. However, I’m not exactly too big on the... sound of it? Idk.
5 PM- The banger. I can see myself on the top deck cruise ship as the sun is dipping into the ocean, the wind blowing into my face, I feel I’m on top of the world by the poolside. Anyway... this song is just a flippin’ good time.
6 PM- I always personally hated when 5 PM ended and I had to hear this... it just sounds so bland in comparison. I guess it’s relaxing and chill, I get what they were going for, but I find it quite repetitive and grating... I also consider this the point of the day when the music gets bad. Yep, there is a point, and this is it, IMO.
7 PM- The second-best one out of the Night-Time Bad Music Bunch I guess. It makes me think of a family who had a barbecue in their backyard all day, and when night set in, they’re still having fun and talking and partying, only they’re getting a little bit sleepy now and reminiscing about good times.
8 PM- Uh. I don’t like it. I hear it too much, it’s repetitive, it’s bland... it doesn’t make me think of night time on an island... (okay, it kind of does. But not exactly a fun island. Maybe a bland island but...)
9 PM- The synth is funky but the sounds are so sparse. It sounds like some kid toying around with the functions on his keyboard... needless to say, I don’t like it.
10 PM- It sounds okay. Just okay. But hearing it for an hour straight like I sometimes do? That just drives me absolutely nuts. Especially the synth that’s just loud and goes do do do doooooooooo... (you know the part I mean...)
11 PM- This literally sounds like the island has been abandoned and there is NO more life on it, at all, literally.
12 AM- I guess it sounds cozy. But the problem is, the melody is WAY too short. It loops and loops and loops and gets so irritating...
1 AM- It’s more interesting than the others, I have to say. But that doesn’t mean it’s... good. It’s still grating (especially when repeated.)
2 AM- I guess this is the best night time one. It kind of makes me think of a lonely warmth, just like the 5 AM. Sadly, and this is the fatal flaw, but it’s unfortunately repetitive. Otherwise, it’s quite beautiful, comforting, a twinge of melancholy.
3 AM- I actually love it. I’m not even being sarcastic... I do. I find this music hilarious. Iconic. Meme-worthy. It’s not even that bad. It’s a great, humorous composition. It really caught me off-guard when I first heard it, but I really like it now.
4 AM- It really does give off that “You stayed up for 17 hours straight” vibe, it’s quiet and relaxing. Not as bad as the other night ones... well, could be because it’s practically morning.