What is now commonly referred to as “Chiptune music” grew out of a generation raised on 8-bit computer games and consoles. The minimal yet catchy music borne of Nintendo and the like took a limited palette of bleeps and bloops and provided the soundtrack of a generation. Koji Kondo, one of the original composers, is solely to blame for the Mario Brothers and Legend of Zelda themes. His talent of turning these harsh analog sounds into something organic (you can almost hear the strings and congas and horns in his songs) makes him a leader in his field.
As the NES generation came of age, and a certain segment moved into the computer world and the techno dance world, others returned to the more primitive soundscapes of their youth. They opened up a Gameboy or Nintendo and started fiddling with the chips.
Internet labels such as 8BITPEOPLES are hubs for these musicians, and their sounds are simultaneously contemporary and nostalgic. Press Start to begin…
1. Sabrepulse – Dark Lightning
2. Random – Micawbers-Moan
3. Yerzmyey – Escape From the Spaceship
4. Animal Style – Bit Scrape
5. Paza – Windows
