The Last of Us Soundtrack: How to Listen and Download the Music from the Game
The Last of Us Soundtrack: How to Download and Why It's So Good
The Last of Us is a 2013 action-adventure survival horror video game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It tells the story of Joel, a smuggler who escorts a teenage girl named Ellie across a post-apocalyptic United States, where a fungal infection has turned most humans into zombie-like creatures. The game is widely praised for its compelling narrative, realistic graphics, and immersive gameplay.
the last of us soundtrack download
One of the most important elements that contributes to the game's success is its soundtrack, composed by Gustavo Santaolalla. The soundtrack features a minimalist and atmospheric style that creates a sense of tension, emotion, and immersion for the players. The soundtrack consists of 30 tracks that span a duration of 56 minutes. It was released digitally on iTunes on June 7, 2013, and physically on June 13, 2013.
In this article, we will explore the following aspects of the soundtrack:
Who is Gustavo Santaolalla, the composer behind the soundtrack?
What are the main characteristics of the soundtrack, and how do they fit with the game's themes?
How can you download or stream the soundtrack legally?
What are some of the critical opinions and analyses of the soundtrack?
The composer
Gustavo Santaolalla is an Argentine musician, composer, and producer who has won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score for his work on Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Babel (2006). He is also known for his contributions to other films such as Amores Perros (2000), 21 Grams (2003), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), Biutiful (2010), On the Road (2012), August: Osage County (2013), The Book of Life (2014), Wild Tales (2014), Making a Murderer (2015), Before the Flood (2016), The Breadwinner (2017), Narcos: Mexico (2018), The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019), and Minari (2020).
Santaolalla began his musical career in 1967 as a co-founder of Arco Iris, a rock band that pioneered the fusion of rock and Latin American folk music in Argentina. He later formed other bands such as Soluna and Wet Picnic, and started his solo career in 1981. He also became a successful producer for artists such as Café Tacuba, Molotov, Juanes, Julieta Venegas, Gaby Moreno, Calle 13, Bajofondo Tango Club, among others.
Santaolalla's musical style is influenced by various genres such as rock, folk, tango, ambient, electronic, world music, and classical music. He is known for his minimalist approach to composing, using simple melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and textures. He often plays various instruments himself, such as guitar, charango, ronroco, piano, banjo, percussion, among others. He also experiments with unconventional instruments and sounds that create a sense of danger and innocence.
The soundtrack
The soundtrack for The Last of Us was composed by Santaolalla early in the game's development. He was contacted by Sony after they noticed that many of his previous works were inspirational for the game's directors Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley. Santaolalla was given freedom to create original music for the game, without following a specific script or scene. He was inspired by the game's concept, visuals, and characters, and tried to capture the emotions and atmosphere of the game world.
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The soundtrack features a variety of themes, instruments, and motifs that reflect the game's story, characters, and setting. Some of the main themes are:
The main theme: This is the first track of the soundtrack, and it plays during the game's opening credits. It introduces the main motif of the soundtrack, which is a simple four-note melody played on a ronroco, a small Andean string instrument. The motif represents the bond between Joel and Ellie, and it recurs throughout the soundtrack in different variations and instruments. The main theme also features a guitar, a banjo, and a cello, creating a contrast between warm and cold sounds.
The infected theme: This is the theme that plays when the player encounters the infected, the zombie-like creatures that are the result of the fungal infection. The theme consists of dissonant and distorted sounds that create a sense of horror and tension. The theme uses unconventional instruments such as bowed metal, glass bottles, chains, and electric guitars.
The hunters theme: This is the theme that plays when the player encounters the hunters, the human enemies that prey on other survivors. The theme is based on a rhythmic pattern played on drums and percussion, creating a sense of urgency and danger. The theme also features electric guitars, basses, and synths that add a gritty and aggressive tone.
The fireflies theme: This is the theme that plays when the player encounters the fireflies, a rebel militia group that fights against the oppressive military regime. The theme is based on a melodic motif played on a piano, creating a sense of hope and resistance. The theme also features strings, brass, and choir that add a heroic and epic tone.
The download options
If you want to listen to the soundtrack of The Last of Us, you have several options to download or stream it legally. Here are some of them:
Platform
Source
Price
Features
iTunes
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-last-of-us-original-score/660036798
$9.99
Digital download of 30 tracks in MP3 format.
Amazon Music
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Us-Original-Score/dp/B00D4D8I0W
$9.49
Digital download or streaming of 30 tracks in MP3 format.
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/0e9LdQfOZqfRnQzjw6Yi7o
Free with ads or $9.99/month for premium.
Streaming of 30 tracks in various formats.
YouTube Music
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kyJ7W6BnGvZxPOdKkKUu_lxZvXNcFVfEw
Free with ads or $9.99/month for premium.
Streaming or downloading of 30 tracks in various formats.
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/playstation/sets/the-last-of-us-original-score-by-gustavo-santaolalla-1
Free with ads or $9.99/month for SoundCloud Go+.
Streaming or downloading of 30 tracks in various formats.
The analysis
The soundtrack of The Last of Us has received critical acclaim from both critics and fans. It has been praised for its originality, diversity, emotionality, and suitability for the game's narrative and gameplay. It has also been recognized with several awards and nominations, such as:
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition.
The BAFTA Games Award for Audio Achievement.
The D.I .C.E. Award for Original Score.
The Game Audio Network Guild Award for Music of the Year.
The Golden Joystick Award for Best Soundtrack.
The Spike VGX Award for Best Song in a Game.
Some of the aspects that have been highlighted by the critics and analysts are:
The soundtrack's ability to create a contrast between the beauty and the brutality of the game world, using both acoustic and electric sounds, and both melodic and dissonant elements.
The soundtrack's use of silence and ambient sounds to create a sense of realism and immersion, and to enhance the tension and suspense of the gameplay.
The soundtrack's adaptation to the player's actions and choices, using dynamic and interactive music that changes according to the situation and the environment.
The soundtrack's contribution to the emotional development of the characters, especially Joel and Ellie, using motifs and themes that reflect their personalities, feelings, and relationships.
Conclusion
The soundtrack of The Last of Us is one of the most remarkable and memorable aspects of the game. It is a masterpiece of musical composition that enhances the game's narrative, gameplay, and atmosphere. It is also a testament to the talent and creativity of Gustavo Santaolalla, who has proven himself as one of the best composers in the video game industry.
If you are a fan of The Last of Us, or if you are simply looking for a captivating and immersive musical experience, you should definitely listen to the soundtrack. You can download or stream it from various platforms and sources, as we have listed above. You will not regret it.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the soundtrack of The Last of Us:
Q: Is there a sequel to The Last of Us?
A: Yes, there is a sequel called The Last of Us Part II, which was released in 2020. It continues the story of Joel and Ellie five years after the events of the first game. The soundtrack for the sequel was also composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, along with Mac Quayle.
Q: How can I play The Last of Us on my PC?
A: Unfortunately, The Last of Us is an exclusive title for PlayStation consoles, so you cannot play it on your PC. However, you can use a PlayStation Now subscription service to stream the game on your PC via an internet connection.
Q: What are some other games that have similar soundtracks to The Last of Us?
A: Some other games that have similar soundtracks to The Last of Us are Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War (2018), Horizon Zero Dawn, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.
Q: What are some other works by Gustavo Santaolalla that I should check out?
A: Some other works by Gustavo Santaolalla that you should check out are his solo albums Ronroco (1998), Camino (2014), and Santaolalla (2020), his film scores for Brokeback Mountain (2005), Babel (2006), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), and Minari (2020), and his musical projects with Bajofondo Tango Club and G.A.S.T.A.
Q: How can I learn more about the soundtrack of The Last of Us?
A: You can learn more about the soundtrack of The Last of Us by watching some documentaries and interviews with Gustavo Santaolalla, such as The Making of The Last of Us - Music, The Last Of Us - Behind The Scenes With Gustavo Santaolalla, The Last Of Us - An Interview With Composer Gustavo Santaolalla, and The Last Of Us Part II - Inside The Music With Gustavo Santaolalla And Mac Quayle.