The PlayStation 2 celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2021, and what better way to memorialise and praise the console that formed the (slouched) backbone of countless childhoods with a jam that uses just the PlayStation 2's library of sounds?
Carter Harrell, a composer for games, film, and TV from Nashville, Tennessee, took on the challenge and the result is a showstopper. Now, this isn't the first time that the PlayStation 2 has been sampled in songs: Kode9, Frank Ocean, Playboi Carti, and XXXTentacion have been inspired by the smooth synth of the startup sound and integrated it into their work. However, Harrell is very creative with the sounds that he's able to draw from the iconic chunk of plastic and wiring to produce a super funky track.
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Beginning with that dreamlike startup sound, he then focuses on the physical sounds of using a PlayStation 2. The click of the switch, swiping his palm across the console, plugging in a memory card, untangling a controller's trailing wires, and ejecting the disc. These then weave wonderfully into an accompaniment of bass, guitar, and keyboard in the final composition, triggering major nostalgia and banging tune. He's loving it, I'm loving it, you're loving it, we're all loving it, until the end of the song, when the sounds of the main menu interrupt the jam. A singular tear rolls down Harrell's cheek.
An elegant console, for a more civilised age. Indeed, the PlayStation 2 was a unit, and only seven years ago did Sony discontinue its production. Therefore, it's had one of the longest lifespans of any video game console ever - a record that Soulja Boy might hope to attain with his new console. Yes, he's back at it again. Anyway, we've got a collection of PS2 titles that you simply must play in order to appreciate the legacy of the console, ranging from Okami to Guitar Hero to Bully.
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Harrell has also produced a Gamecube-themed track from samples of the original sounds, and even a "quarantine" track which combines the sounds of putting on a mask, washing hands, toilet paper, and spraying disinfectant. Evidently, he's quite the talent.
Topics: News, PlayStation