Awesome Music pages are Spoilers Off. You Have Been Warned.
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The anime
- "Until the World Turns to Ash"note , the song that accompanies Junna and Hikari's duel in the first episode, is a melancholy yet thrilling number that is perfect for the first time the audience gets a full glimpse of the true nature of the show.
- "The Star Knows", the song for Junna's duel with Karen in episode two is accompanied by thrilling strings, starting out somewhat sad regarding Junna's feelings of inadequacy towards the other girls, but grows stronger and stronger as the song goes on, reaching a fantastic call-and-response with Junna and Karen's voices.
- "Pride and Arrogance"note is the only song that could truly fit Maya's duel in episode three. It can't be described as anything other than "epic," with Maya's deep voice a perfect accompaniment. It's also noticeably the first audition song in the series in which Karen's vocals don't challenge and overpower her opponent's vocals - it's Maya who does that to her.
- "Love's Wicked Pitch"note , Mahiru's song for duelling Karen in episode five, is a swinging big band number interspersed with quiet moments, with the big band sections being used for the comedic moments of Mahiru chasing Karen, achieving both sounding amazing and being hilarious.
- "A Song or the Blooming of Flowers?"note mixes traditional Japanese instruments with techno and guitar, and is ideal for Futaba and Kaoruko's revue in episode six.
- "-Star Divine- finale", the perfect song for the revue duet in episode ten.
- An extra song from the Blu-ray releases, "You are a ghost, I am a ghost ~The Ghost of the Stage~"note , has a haunting sound and atmosphere.
The movie
- "wi(l)d-screen baroque", the backing song for the Revue of Annihilation, is a fast-paced string-led rock song with Arabian influences. It's made even more terrifying by its lyrics and a nearly-five-minute-long sequence where Nana gives the rest of the class (except Karen) a run for their money by almost killing them. All while on top of a train. Nana's voice actress, Moeka Koizumi, performed the song with an orchestra.
- "Promise Tower"note gets a nice instrumental remix that plays during the scene where the Seisho Music Academy students begin rehearsing for the annual school festival.
- "Selfish Highway"note , the backing song for Futaba and Kaoruko's Revue of Resentment, is a very sexy bar-like jazz piece that, once you've watched the revue it goes with, is sure to leave one who didn't care about the two's storyline in the anime with questions.
- "MEDAL SUZDAL PANIC◎○●" provides that of a fitting accompaniment to the Olympics-themed Revue of Competition between Hikari and Mahiru. Beginning with a military drum beat that transitions into a brassy fanfare as Mahiru lights a flame, the song quickly turns into a fast-paced, jive-like melody while Hikari and Mahiru fight each other, as well as when the normally sweet-hearted Mahiru transforms into a full-on yandere as she chases Hikari all the way through the backstage area a few minutes later. The end of the revue is bittersweet, however, and is accompanied by beautiful orchestral music which reprises the melody of a signature song from the main series.
- "Pen: Power: Sword"note , the backing song for the Revue of Hunting, has quite a lot to say about its Arabian/orchestral instrumentation, but regardless, if you followed Junna and Nana's storyline in the anime, then watching this particular revue makes the bright side get darker. Credit should go to Junna and Nana's voice actresses, Hinata Satō and Moeka Koizumi, for their performance in this song. It's not everyday you'll hear them hit some pretty high notes, but boy do they do it well.
- "A Beautiful Person, Or Perhaps It Is"note , the eleven-minute-long backing song for the Revue of Souls between Maya and Claudine, is just pure theatrical euphoria. Watch and observe.
- "Superstar Spectacle", the backing song for the climactic Revue of Reproductionnote , is a symphonic-rock piece with Puella Magi Madoka Magica influences. Karen and Hikari's storyline in the anime was something else, and the lyrics of this song are a thrilling representation of the two's final confrontation with each another, which feels more like the beginning to a new story and not so much of a grand finale. The revue itself will cause emotions like one has never felt before, so get the tissues ready. Momoyo Koyama and Suzuko Mimori (Karen and Hikari's voice actresses) had a tough act to follow with this particular song and revue after the Revue of Astral Sins in the anime, but there is absolutely no denying their work is second to none, especially here.
Re LIVE
- "Platinum Forte", sung by the Edels of Siegfeld Institute of Music, is a powerful piece that perfectly encapsulates their pride and nobility as top tier Stage Girls and how they're determined to stay on top through their skills and fortitude.
- "Try Being A Butterfly"note , sung by the students of Rinmeikan Girls School, reflects Rinmeikan's leanings towards traditional Japanese arts through a wonderful mix of traditional Japanese instruments and modern techno. Its melancholic lyrics also highlight the girls' perseverance and determination in trying to save their Performance Department, which perfectly sums up the entire dramatic plot of chapter nine of the main story.
- "Showtime Frontier!", sung by the students of Frontier School of Arts, is a fun, whimsical song bursting with cheer and energy that wholly defines Frontier's livelier, creative, and more dynamic approach to theatrical performances.
- "Rose Poems", a lovely ballad of a duet sung by Akira and Shiori as the Beast and Belle respectively for the "Waltz of a Beautiful Beast" event in the game, mixes in Akira's powerful vocals with Shiori's gentler and more soothing voice to create a wonderful harmonious melody that isn't out of place for a Disney Princess movie.
- The Arcana Arcadia revue songs have been incredible. To name only some great parts:
- Act 1 song "The Gates Shall Open to Those Who Believe"note has a more eccentric feel to it, with a whimsical violin line and often changing tempo.
- Act 2 song "Life Persists"note starts with a dramatic chorus before transitioning into some equally dramatic, fast-paced strings. It's a thrill to listen to and captures the intensity the characters in this revue act with.
- Act 3 song "If There is No Sin, That is a Sin"note has its verses build up anticipation before a dramatic chorus, mirroring the suspense of a courtroom before the verdict is decided.
- Act 4 song "What Shines the Darkness"note is a slower, more somber song, which makes it a departure from Frontier's usual cheery stuff. It's incredibly haunting and really captures the feeling of sorrow.
- Act 5 song "Eternity Is Dying and Living"note is a dramatic piece featured during one of the most intense chapters of Arcana Arcadia as the featured girls are faced by their past or future challenge on stage with their compatriots.
- Act 6 song "Star Girl, Girl On Moon"note , the conclusion song to the whole of Arcana Arcadia act, is a triumphant song that is a perfect ending to the whole arc as a whole. It's cheerful and upbeat melody with a triumphant orchestra arrangement captures the arc's resolution to most plotlines in a positive way.
- Act 1 song "The Gates Shall Open to Those Who Believe"
Others
- The Starry Diamond revue songs (from the album "La Revue Éternelle") pull from many different genres to best suit the events of the revue and its participants' voices. Every song on that album is great and definitely worth a listen, but only some songs will be mentioned here in the interest of space.
- "Zeus's Decision",note sung by the Yumeoji sisters and Claudine Saijo, reflects the Sibling Yin-Yang between Fumi and Shiori against a good amount of brass and piano licks. There's even a saxophone solo as the Yumeojis spar.
- "Procyon the Bright"note is an upbeat, cheerful song, providing a much needed relief between the sinister "Treacherous Crete"note and "Tragic Orion"note .
