Creepy and unpredictable. Those are two words that I would use to describe Midna when Link first meets her. Her constant teasing and vague threats of torment mirror her impish form, and she’s certainly not trustworthy at first. Her and Link’s partnering is more one of necessity than anything else. It’s not until much later that the imp’s true nature is revealed to be one of noble royalty. In their “Midna’s Lament” Remix, Qumu uses discordant chimes, echoing base notes, synthetic sounds, and heavy beats to create a suspenseful rendition of the familiar theme more in line with the perceived danger Midna’s initial appearance suggests.
The song starts sweetly enough with the familiar tune played on the piano. The familiar melody continues throughout the song, creating a feeling of comfort. Zelda fans are used to this melody. It’s what we’re used to. It’s a fan favorite. Just like Midna though, there are cracks beneath the façade that warn of potential danger.
A low, humming bass note can be heard in the background of the melody. Its constant presence hangs over the piano like the Twilight barrier. It creates a sense of suspense that continues throughout most of the song.
Soon discordant chimes join in to play the melody. The slightly off sound of the chimes tie into Midna’s own appearance. She is unlike anything Link has seen in the game thus far. No enemy, Twilight creature, or citizen of Hyrule is quite like Midna. The hero is left to wonder if the mischievous creature is a friend or foe.
Adding to the feeling of unease is a sweeping melody more reminiscent of Metroid than Zelda that plays in the background. The synthy sound of this rising and falling melody feels very similar to the music you might encounter while hunting your way through the caverns of Zebes. A heavy, synthetic beat is also very similar to those sometimes heard in the title screens of Samus’ titles. Tapping into those Metroid memories also adds to the feeling of suspense.
While Zelda is often associated with adventure, Metroid can be chilling. From room to room, you don’t know what alien monstrosity is going to pop out and try to end you. From a roided out Space Pirate to the titular jellyfish of doom, you never feel quite safe in the corridors of those alien planets. You only feel safe for now. By using a synthetic sound similar to the Metroid series, Qumu borrows some of its terror to add to the unsettling nature of this remix.
Just like Midna herself, I thought I knew what I was getting when I started listening to this remix. Little did I know how wrong I was. This was no simple retread of a beloved tune. The piano seems friendly enough, but the contrasting use of eerie chimes, synthetic melodies straight out of Metroid, and echoing beats add a feeling of anxiety. Just like the impish princess though, the more that you listen, the more the amazing juxtaposition of musical styles reveals itself to be worthy of all the love and praise.
