You know, the music that's in every fucking insurance advert that wants to market itself as wholesome.

It's usually got the following: Ukelele strumming, jaunty whistling, a bunch of dudes in what sounds like the far off background happily chanting "waaaooooh" or sometimes if the composer is feeling extra evil, the dreaded baby piano. Can someone tell me what this shit is called?

It's the Corporate Memphis of music. I hate hate hate it.

  • NotLuigi [they/them]
    ·
    12 days ago

    I literally found myself waiting for this music to kick in while listening to it but it never did

    • Dessa [she/her]
      ·
      12 days ago

      Maybe this song will give some closure:

      "The Waters Cleansed" from Ori and the Blind Forest, a Metroidvania platformer game with an environmentalist theme.
      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vhoDQHbw5IY

      Provided as an example which, in my opinion, is a good example of the musical elements we usually hear in corporate feelgood music.

      Further commentary

      What makes this work, IMO, is that while it has the same sort of "layering it on" buildup you hear in corporate music, it doesn't overstay its welcome. It plays through its chord progression twice, adds a melody the second time through, teases resolution exactly once, and finishes. There's little tension, and that's the point-- This song is here purely to provide catharsis after a difficult section, and the level, formerly polluted and grim, is back to a state of serene beauty. The player isnt expected to spend much time here after this, except perhaps to admire their handiwork as they grab the few collectibles they missed before they move on