devtrackers.gg
The Soundtrack and Music to the Division series has revitalized my love for orhcestral and accompanying music (soundtracks, non-open word music). I honestly would blow off a lot of Film, TV, Game soundtracks as an "also ran" type of fare. So I decided to delve a bit into the music that is a driving force behind The Division (Both TD1 & TD2).
What makes the soundtrack to The Division great isn’t just simply the use of synthetic music, but the juxtaposition of the various moving parts. “Music Editing” or the general efforts of the art direction to help place the right music at the right time and right scenes has greatly helped the feel of the game. It engages you and draws you into the world without you fully realizing the music in of itself; it plays on your subconscious and then brings you into the world of The Division kicking and screaming… or willingly with Custom P416 G3 in hand chattering away.
Ill briefly run over the games themselves and then other music that utilizes a lot of the same themes.
Ola Strandh - The Division 1 & 2
Division Insider with Ola Strandh (YouTube Clip)
The synth focus was brilliant for the first game. Idllyic of the 80s, synth music often associated with that time: fast & stylish cars and night runs, neon lights, emergence of new technology (no not thinking about the upcoming cyber punk game…computers themselves were emerging in a big way). The Divisions physical art direction broke those themes down and reimagined them.
Stylish and Night runs? How about a gun fight in the white-out conditions of a blizzard in Manhattan. Tracers lighting up the air as snowflakes whip violently past neon lights and store signs. A proto-interactive HUD screams integrated style. Cool wristwatches! The game screams style in a subtle method when you are traversing normal gameplay and it throws it in your face when it demands your attention.
Neon Lights? The Division is hallmarked a neon burnt-orange as its motif. TD plays on the color with factions in a subtle manner as the show-case is the environment. TD2 blends more of it back in in the absence of snow and bright lights. Hyenas are neon green and dressed as punk rockers. The Outcasts utilize neon yellow. Black Tusk uses binary colors (black and white) and has their tech (red, yellow, blue/white) show up to brilliantly contrast their color themes.
Emergence of new tech? Thats a hallmark of the division as well. Utilization of REAL world emerging technology or theoretical prototypes. Drones, automated turrets, sonar. Hell, ISAC is literally our version of KITT.
That is why the synth music perfectly compliments the world of The Division. It isn’t simply because it’s stylish, cool, or the new hip. The music is irrevocably tied to deep themes engrained in the lives of adults playing the game who were children at the time (a la Stranger Things popularity despite it being nothing really more than a endless string of homages).
My Favorite Division Tracks (I could link them individually, but to encourage you all to listen I will refer you to check them out on the links for the spotify albums above - or youtube them!)
Saint - TD2, Ballroom - TD2, Keates - TD2, SAM - TD2, Junior - TD2, Precinct Siege - TD1, Mall Rats - TD1, The Academy - TD1, Grand Central - TD1, Set - TD1S, Vandra - TD1S, Midtown Manifest - TD1S, Diffusor - TD1S
Many people also love “Balcony Rotary, Dock Wrecks” from TD2 but while great they just aren’t the top of my list.
“If you loved The Division’s Music”
I highly suggest looking into the following artists (linked to songs that are reminiscent of TD’s style)
John Carpenter (yes, that one) has a ton of amazing Synth music that has the same vibes as music from The Division and he has a decent library from his work on his own movies during the 80s and new compositions.
Some of the more traditional Synth-Electronic artists currently are below. Just note, the linked tracks are some of the more I align with musical themes from The Division. They have other tracks that are just as amazing just in different tone & tempo.
Magic Sword
Code Elektro
N3On
Lorn
Daniel Deluxe
Perturbator
Honorable Mentions (Artists): Dance with the Dead, Tommy ’86, Com Truise, College, Dan Terminus, Carpenter Brut, VHS Dreams, Gost
Similar Soundtracks
Johan Skugge & Jukka Rintamäki ("No Science") - Battlefield 3 & 4
As Electronic Music group “No Science” they have been working on probably the best scored Battlefield titles (3 & 4) amongst their own album releases.
Solomon’s Theme (BF3) - Probably one of the most electric songs ive heard in any context
Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein ("Survive / S U R V I V E") - Stranger Things
Another duo. While Stranger Things (as a show), for myself, is a mixed bag...the music is above reproach. A good chunk of their work on Stranger Things is typical 80’s Synth. However there is a nice amount that plays well with a more modern and a heavier Synth present in The Division.
Fresh Blood - Feels ripped from The Division
Agents - Short but sweet
Special Notes From Other Games, TV, and Film
Below are some of the more mainstream artists that I think of when I think/hear music from The Division. These are artists that have something similar in tone, tempo, themes but stand apart from the Synth heavy Division music.
Bear McCreary
Battlestar Galactica [Reimagined TV Series], The Walking Dead (TV Series), God of War (2018)
Many will think of him for his work in BSG’s rework of All Along The Watchtower. However, he has some heavy beats and music that pulls at the same “Heavy, regretful, and tense…but hopeful” tones that Ola Strandh’s music in the division evokes. Particularly “Dirty Hands” (BSG), “Morgan’s Theme” (TWD), “Eternal (S05E09 TWD)” are amazing and show a range that makes it obvious why he is an “in-demand” composer for scores.
Amon Tobin
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory & Conviction
An invoking blend of regional/cultural music and instruments with an electric twist at times. “Displaced” from Chaos Theory is particularly invoking.
Jóhann Jóhannsson
Sicario, Arrival, Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049, The OA
Shame he passed rather young, even if it was preventable. His work on Siciario helps drive the movie home and it sticks with you. The music is deep and foreboding, easy to see how it thematically fits with The Division even if they’re completely different genres. Check out “The Border” & “The Beast”.
Parting Words
As a final note, some other recent video games with some rather outstanding soundtracks would include:
The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2, Far Cry 5 (More Western, Blues than anything else but some good vibes nonetheless)
For links throughout I intended to solely use Spotify - I didn’t want to be region-locked by certain youtube clips.
Recommended Synthwave Spotify Playlists:
Mellow Synth & Neon For Driving
Edit: Thanks for the gold! I just wanted to share a bit what made me love soundtracks again and synthwave!
Also! Below is the best reddit post for a collection of the warehouse licensed music that looks like a great community effort and painstakingly crafted.
Division 1 Licensed Safehouse Music
External link →