Brief Summary
This video analyzes the opening theme "Boku no Senso" from the final season of Attack on Titan, addressing criticisms and explaining its musical composition. It highlights the use of complex musical elements like the locrian mode to create unease, and points out homages to previous Attack on Titan themes, particularly those by Revo of Linked Horizon. The analysis covers the song's structure, lyrical content, and how it reflects the evolving narrative and character perspectives in the final season.
- The song uses complex musical elements, like the locrian mode, to create a sense of unease.
- It contains homages to previous Attack on Titan themes, particularly those by Revo.
- The song's structure and lyrical content reflect the evolving narrative and character perspectives in the final season.
Introduction
The video addresses the criticism surrounding the music in the final season of Attack on Titan, particularly the opening theme. The author expresses confusion over negative comments about the music, stating that they have always found the soundtrack to be fitting and well-composed. The video aims to defend the opening track and explain its musical complexities and relevance to the season's themes.
Locrian Mode and Unease
The analysis begins by explaining the complex musical composition of the opening track, focusing on the use of the locrian mode. The track opens with a piano ostinato in locrian mode, which creates a sense of unease and tension. The locrian mode is difficult because it requires establishing a home key on a note that inherently wants to resolve to other notes. This dissonance mirrors the growing tensions and uncertainties in the storyline, where the audience is unsure of Eren's plans and the impending conflict. The constant locrian ostinato acts as a "ticking time bomb," symbolizing the unknown consequences and timing of future events.
Primal Warfare and Sophistication
The analysis describes the introduction of vocal melody and the shift in musical focus to the c-sharp minor scale. The meaningless vocal chanting creates a primal sound, akin to the chaos and unintelligible nature of early warfare. The violin solo signals a shift towards more sophisticated warfare, reflecting the development of anti-titan weaponry and the advanced capabilities of the people from Paradis. The violin's rapid and fluid melody mirrors the omnidirectional mobility gear, symbolizing a new era of combat.
Homage to Revo and Guren no Yumiya
The video highlights the homage to Revo, the composer of many iconic Attack on Titan themes. The first verse contains a nod to Revo's signature style, particularly his use of offbeats. The rhythmic pattern and melodic shape in "Boku no Senso" are reminiscent of "Guren no Yumiya," the first opening theme. This pattern consists of a descending step around melody, offset on beat two. The slight differences in melodic shape reflect the distinct nature of their respective seasons, with "Boku no Senso" adding tension and spookiness through the sharp seventh.
Contrasting Vocal Styles and Key Changes
The analysis contrasts the vocal styles of "Guren no Yumiya" and "Boku no Senso," reflecting the changing perspectives of Eren and Reiner. "Guren no Yumiya" opens with an epic choir, while "Boku no Senso" begins with primal chants, setting different atmospheres. The shift to D minor represents an explosion, with the piano ceasing its locrian ostinato. The choir takes over the main melody, battling with the primal chanting, symbolizing the imminent war.
Outro and Lyrical Analysis
The chorus transitions back to C-sharp minor, with the locrian piano notes playing more frequently, creating a "rain" effect that evokes images of trench warfare. The singer's distorted voice screams "My War," accompanied by the choir. The analysis touches on the lyrical content, noting that the singer seems to be singing from Eren's perspective, mentioning his rebirth and the declaration of war. The choir's lines contain spoilers, referencing the "angels disguised as devils," which relates to Willy Tybur's revelation.
Revo References and Conclusion
The video emphasizes the deliberate references to Revo's music style, particularly a violin line in the chorus that mirrors a battle track from Bravely Default. The composer balanced tribute and originality. The final opening of the series is fitting, capturing the essence of the final season by meeting and subverting expectations. The analysis concludes by expressing excitement for the full version of the song and its potential easter eggs.
