California-based composer Dren McDonald crafts a beautifully serene and playfully melodic charm within Stay: Forever Home Vol. 1 CHAOS, the first soundtrack installment from his video game Stay: Forever Home. Gorgeous vocal harmonies from Sophia James and Amelie Anna, ranging from the lushly inviting opener to the finale’s momentum-filled intrigue, coexist seamlessly alongside memorable arrangements — which dazzle across dreamy acoustic strumming, twinkling keys, and dynamic rhythmic infusions.
The soundtrack provides an inviting supplement to the cozy setting within Stay: Forever Home, which is a virtual pet experience starring Ember, your faithful pet companion from a magical land called The Otherlands. The game’s music acts as an important device within the gameplay; the songs become more noticeable as the player approaches in closer proximity to Ember, while the music fades as they wander away. The music’s incorporation is wonderfully interactive, dictated by the player and their location, in addition to the game’s time of day; day and night music play as different entities.
“One of the fun challenges in this project was to determine what The Otherlands might sound like,” McDonald says. “It’s a magical place, very colorful… but it’s not Middle Earth, it’s not traditional fantasy, or RPG-type fantasy.” The unique soundscapes shine within the game’s one-of-a-kind world, as a result. McDonald continues: “In our design discussions we talked about how all of the magic creatures, plants and objects from The Otherlands would all respond positively to music. It became shorthand for the player to know if an object might have a magical interaction.”
All six of the soundtrack’s offerings enamor with their own sense of atmospheric life. “Into The Otherlands” infuses James’ wordless vocal caressing right away, as soft acoustic strums meld into island-like keys and hypnotic percussion. Meanwhile, “Ember’s Magic Walk” struts a more psych-friendly glow, where James’ vocal layers excel across both spacious charm — like past the one-minute mark — and sturdy guitar strums.
Another standout is “Tradeboard Circle,” where both Sophia James and Amelie Anna lend their harmonious vocals alongside playful elements that resemble Nintendo’s beloved Pikmin. “Introducing Ember” then arrives with a soaring effervescence, unveiling a definitively vibrant charm before the more intensified captivation of finale “The Extended 80s Mossling Thief,” conjuring shades of the White Lotus theme in its vocal elements. Stay: Forever Home Vol. 1 CHAOS is a blissful overall success from Dren McDonald.
Vol. 1 Chaos represents the game’s first soundtrack installment, capturing the game’s upbeat music, while the upcoming Vol. 2 Cozy will showcase its chill music.
