Softlock

lv. 9: retrofemme, pt. 2 (Yoko Shimomura retrospective)

Sat, Dec 7, 2024

Yoko Shimomura, 1998. Photo credit unknown.

Today on Softlock, we’ll be taking a look at a composer whose work is rightfully considered to be second to none.

Starting with Capcom Sound Team in 1988, she began to develop her melodic, multi-genre style, culminating in being the chief sound architect of Street Fighter II. But working on platformers and fighters left her feeling boxed in musically, so in 1993 Shimomura jumped ship for Squaresoft and the rest is absolute history.

Starting with Live-a-Live in 1994 (the Present Day chapter is a affectionate parody of SFII), she took off. Her work on projects like Super Mario RPG, Parasite Eve, and especially Kingdom Hearts are STILL felt through the industry and through music lover’s hearts to this day.

This episode of Softlock covers her work in (mostly) chronological order, starting with 1989’s Final Fight and ending with two remakes of her best Super Famicom/Nintendo work. No collaborators of any kind are featured, except for one particular vocalist.

Seriously, I could fill a show with just tracks from Super Mario RPG. There’s even music in 11/4 time for no reason.

Next week: the retrofemme finale, from the 32bit era and beyond.

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