I cannot put to words how much Build Your Rocket puts me in this late 90s/early 00s headframe. It feels so perfectly befitting of that era of games, from the choice of instruments, the sound design and even down to the mixing itself. There's something immediately captivating about this track that just has me wanting to stay in this soundscape forever. Melodies and choice of voicings here are all fantastic, and various bits of ear candy throughout (the scratched vocal sample, intercom speech and various bit-crushing) add even more charm.
Blast Off is great, and perfectly befitting of the title. An intermediary piece to connect A to B and bring you on that journey. The gradual transition from all that noise to the ethereal chimes and expanse of space is really well done, transitioning rather nicely into..
Open Space - more of the same, in all honesty. It takes its time getting there, slowly introducing new instruments and melodies that twist and turn gorgeously, not bound by any particular rule. Getting to be suspended in this state for the first half of the track is clever, and then we get to really pass over into what almost feels like a credits sequence or cinematic long-shot of our character drifting off. Simple percussion, all kept very low-key and unobtrusive as though it is leaning into a little more of an 8-bit vibe at times, works well here. Adds just enough aural intrigue to keep things from dragging on too long.
This is some really good work, honestly. I am still absolutely enamoured with Build Your Rocket and how it effortlessly captures the vibe of sim-building and the era itself. Has me absolutely sold on the game and the soundtrack. Produced and mixed well throughout, and nice and varied to boot. Stellar work.