New releases last four weeks: Leftfield

Review: Part of the wider Megami Tensei video game franchise, Persona 4 is a 2008 role playing title that hit Japan, and made a huge impact, in 2008. Set in a fictional version of the Land of the Rising Sun's countryside, players adopt the character of a high school student who moves to the small town of Inaba from the city to experience rural living for 12 months. Mysterious murders ensue, and it's up to you - or whoever's got the PS2 controller - to work out what's happening. It's typically deep dive stuff for a country that has always had a very unique relationship with video games. Atlus, the developer, already had a reputation for making beloved scores for its titles, and this one is no exception, although broke the mould compared with preceding instalments in the saga. Way more upbeat, it's a mixture of bubblegum dance pop, chip music, high intensity synth rock, urban-hued J-pop, and 'toon jazz.

Review: The haunting score for the most recent episode in the beloved series has finally arrived on vinyl, marking the game's tenth anniversary. This release celebrates a soundtrack that brilliantly mirrors the eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere of Sevastopol Station while paying homage to the iconic style of Jerry Goldsmith's original Alien score. Pressed on translucent "blood green" marbled vinyl, the music takes listeners through a tense journey, balancing orchestral dread with unnerving electronic textures. Tracks like 'Welcome to Sevastopol'. 'Quarantine' and 'Working Joes' perfectly encapsulate the game's blend of suspense and terror.The soundscape reflects the game's grimy, retro-futuristic aesthetic, immersing the listener in cold industrial corridors and the vast loneliness of space. Moments of creeping dread are interspersed with fleeting glimmers of resilience, mirroring Amanda Ripley's determined journey. iam8bit's release also features stunning artwork by Nimit Malavia, capturing the isolating terror of the game's universe. With its gripping combination of atmospheric design, tense compositions and nods to the original Alien legacy, this soundtrack doesn't just accompany the gameiit becomes part of the chilling experience.