The Songs of Rebirth digital EP for Final Fantasy XI covers the entirety of the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel chapter. The first six tracks are exclusive to this digital release. The remaining tracks were first published on the Final Fantasy XI Priceless Remembrance Blu-ray disc (and I encourage readers to check that review for discussion around songs like “Iroha” and “Rhapsodies of Vana’diel”).
What are the earlier six songs here all about? These are original tunes Naoshi Mizuta wrote for smaller in-game events between 2015 and 2019. I’m going to give a track-by-track breakdown of where each of these songs is from, and my thoughts about each of them.
“For a Friend” is the music used in the Omen event in Reisenjima, meaning it’s loosely part of the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel content, but not a part of the main story. This track is simple, fun, and features the bright violin leads and catchy jazz-prog polyrhythms that Mizuta prominently uses throughout the Final Fantasy XI expansions.
“Full Speed Ahead!” is optional music made available in-game in 2019. During a set event, players were able to collect a Key Item, Sheet of Mapitoto tunes, allowing them to change the standard mount-riding music to this new piece. This is a jaunty 12/8 tune that almost feels like something you’d expect from Sakimoto and crew in Final Fantasy XII. It’s interesting to hear Mizuta attempt a composition like this in XI.
“Times Grow Tense” is the main theme used for the 2016 battle content event Ambuscade. The aforementioned polyrhythm is back with excellent syncopation, alongside complex time signatures I can barely keep track of. I love when Mizuta uses orchestral bells (glockenspiel) and xylophone to highlight a melodic line over an orchestral ensemble. This technique is utilized often and to great effect in this fast and furious track.
“Between Dreams and Reality” and “Disjointed One” are both songs in the new form of the Dynamis zones released in late 2017, Dynamis – Divergence. Ironically, this event is actually a restoration of an older form of Dynamis’ participation rules. “Between Dreams and Reality,” possibly the most impressive track of the lot, opens with an epic choral introduction, something that would fit right in with NieR. On the other hand, “Disjoined One” is an ominous piece with long stretches of slow string ensemble, decorated by orchestra bells and harp, before pulsing drums jump in, and suddenly we’re in a Lord of the Rings “Helm’s Deep” soundscape. I think this is my least favorite of the bunch, though I imagine in-game it would work rather well.
“Winds of Change” is new music for Heroines’ Combat II, a very particular set of fights added in 2018 as a special challenge. One is a solo challenge against Iroha. The other is a group challenge against Iroha and the heroines of the five main expansions: Lion, Prishe, Nashmeira, Lilisette, and Arciela. The music is fittingly daunting for such an event, but it maintains a sense of brilliance and positivity, appropriate to what is essentially an overpowered sparring match among allies.
At the end of the day, I am pleased to know that Naoshi Mizuta is maintaining his excellent level of work in Final Fantasy XI, even if the amount of new content is naturally decreasing as the long-running MMO moves closer and closer to sunset. Listening to these six tracks gives me the itching desire to renew my old account and see if I would enjoy playing through this unique content. Ultimately, though, I think I will allow the new tunes to satisfy my curiosity. Those of you who also wish to catch up on the Final Fantasy XI adventure may do well to check out this digital-only release. If you didn’t get the Priceless Remembrance Blu-ray, it’s quite a deal to have this complete set of music in one place!
