The dazzling music of indie games

Jessica Curry celebrates the dazzling musical world of indie games. Most people have heard of the titans of video games - like FIFA, Mario, Call of Duty or Fortnite - but there's also a thriving indie scene pushing the boundaries of what games and their soundtracks can be. For an indie, no adventure is too small, too silly, too bizarre or too bittersweet - and often they dive deeper than huge games into subjects such as grief, love, illness and what it means to be human. Indie soundtracks then can be some of the most experimental music in the whole genre - from tender chamber music to full on electronic freak outs - Jessica plays some of her favourites. Plus Jessica talks to composer Lena Raine, whose BAFTA nominated music for the breakout indie hit Celeste has been one of the most talked about scores of recent years. Get in touch - email [email protected] Full playlist: Kristofer Maddigan - Ruse of an Ooze (Cuphead) Oli Wood - Buffet Balloons (Overcooked 2) Laurence Chapman - Before the Fall (Heaven's Vault) Gareth Coker - Ori and the Will of the Wisps (extract) Lena Raine - First Steps (Celeste) Lena Raine - Heart of the Mountain (Celeste) Nate Sandberg & Matthew Joynt - The Brothers Swim (Burly Men at Sea) Nate Sandberg & Matthew Joynt - Heroic Feats (Burly Men at Sea) Austin Wintory - I Was Born For This (Journey) Kristofer Maddigan - Die House (Cuphead) Julien Neto - From Cover to Cover (Osmos) Jessica Curry - The End of All Things (Everybody's Gone to the Rapture) Jessica Curry - Liquid Light (Everybody's Gone to the Rapture) Lena Raine - Awake (Celeste) Lena Raine - Anxiety (Celeste) Lena Raine - Beyond the Heart (Celeste: Farewell) Peter Due - City Streets (Forgotton Anne) Andrew Prahlow - Outer Wilds (Outer Wilds)