Zora’s Domain is always a magnificent place. Scaling the cliffside as Wolf Link in Twilight Princess is a spectacle, and the town’s luminous architecture in Breath of the Wild is absolutely stunning. Ocarina of Time takes a simpler approach, opting for a small underground lake for the Zora to call home. It’s beautiful in its own right, and the lighting is particularly mesmerizing. And while the sound of the ever-flowing waterfall is already enough to create a relaxing atmosphere, the soundtrack carries it to whole new levels of paradise.
The steel drum opens the theme and it lies at the heart of the entire piece. To me, the instrument’s texture smells like the sea breeze and feels like an eternal calmness, never failing to put a smile on my face. The steel drum’s rolled chord enhance the vibe in a way that words can’t do justice. A synth pad also plays chords in the background, and its delay effect makes it sound distant and subtle. Without this cave-like echo happening, the track would sound more like the theme of a beach than an aquatic cavern. The acoustic guitar is in charge of the melody, dancing around extended arpeggios as if it’s improvising. This unpredictable style lends itself well to this almost jazzy composition, as it suggests that the listener relax and enjoy the atmosphere rather than focus on where the piece is supposed to be going.
It’s way too easy to get absorbed into this song, blink, and realize that three hours have passed. That’s a big part of why Zora’s Domain is undoubtedly my favorite recurring town. The music never disappoints, its characters are always standouts, and the watery aesthetic is something I can find solace in every time. The simple act of being there never fails to be a pleasant experience thanks to its blissful tunes.
