A new force in the world of video game music has emerged. Lorien Testard, an unknown composer, has gained significant recognition for his soundtrack to the indie game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This marks his first commercially released work, yet it has quickly been hailed as one of the year’s finest, topping both the Billboard Classical and Classical Crossover album charts.
Testard’s success is attributed to a simple yet powerful strategy: he shared his music on SoundCloud, providing an accessible platform for listeners and industry professionals alike. His dedication and creativity led to an unexpected breakthrough when the right person discovered his work. “I would train myself by composing one song every week and post it on my SoundCloud. I did this for a year,” Testard explained.
Creating a Unique Soundscape
The narrative within Clair Obscur presents a distorted version of Paris called Lumière, ravaged by a colossal figure known as The Paintress. This character wreaks havoc by marking The Monolith with a number that leads to the disappearance of a generation—a phenomenon referred to as The Gommage. Players embark on a quest to confront this formidable foe during the expedition titled Expedition 33, which symbolizes the age of those facing imminent doom.
Testard’s music is designed to enhance this intricate digital world, adding depth to the game’s emotional landscape. “I see the world of Clair Obscur like a giant painting, and I write each song to create my own little drawing musically, one for each scene and each character, to tie the world together,” he stated.
Collaborative efforts were also crucial in bringing the soundtrack to life. Vocalist and co-composer Alice Duport-Percier was discovered online through her performances on YouTube. Her contributions, along with orchestrator Daniel Sika and the talented members of l’Orchestre Curieux, played a pivotal role in the soundtrack’s realization.
From Dreams to Reality
The creative journey that Testard undertook embodies the modern era’s potential for collaboration. “It was really important for us to have a French singer to sing the lyrics I wrote, so I searched on YouTube for singers that I really love and [Alice Duport-Percier] was by far the number one on my list,” he shared. Their partnership blossomed quickly; Duport-Percier joined Testard as co-composer soon after hearing his piece “Lost Voice,” which reflects the themes of The Gommage.
In the realm of role-playing games, the music often reaches a crescendo during climactic moments, similar to film scores. Testard, familiar with this concept through his love of video game music, aimed to encapsulate that thrill in his work. The boss battle piece for Clair Obscur, titled “Nos vies en Lumière,” spans 33 minutes and is divided into three sections of 11 minutes each. This structure weaves together themes from the entire soundtrack, delivering a powerful experience for players.
For Testard, the opportunity to create this soundtrack was a dream come true. “It was like joy and luck, I feel really grateful to have the opportunity to create the soundtrack of my dreams. I see that as a gift for me,” he expressed. Looking ahead, he remains committed to producing music that resonates with his artistic vision. “I don’t need to top that and I don’t want to top that. For the future, I will create what I love and what I want to create, and it will be different,” he concluded, hinting at the possibility of future projects like a 43-minute piece for a potential sequel.
As Testard’s work continues to garner acclaim, the impact of his music on the gaming landscape underscores the importance of creativity and collaboration in the digital age.
