Faded Dream of a Psychomeddler

"Faded Dream of a Psychomeddler" is the main stage theme of Isolated Isles: Forgo Dreams from Kirby and the Forgotten Land. It was composed by Hirokazu Ando.^[1]

Composition[edit]

Kirby in the faded dreamland.

"Faded Dream of a Psychomeddler" is a restless and resolute theme in E minor and 4/4. It is primarily derived from "Alivel Mall", taking from its structure and melody. The track opens with a piano intro with the opening phrase of "A Trip to Alivel Mall"'s melody played by a piano multiple times in rapid succession, giving a sense of quiet urgency while also hinting at a sweet G major, referring to the original theme's major key. It is soon joined by percussion. The track's melody, played by an electric guitar, is similarly derived from "A Trip to Alivel Mall"; however, its ending is instead taken from the second motif of "The Battle of Blizzard Bridge". After two iterations, it is immediately followed up by a variant of the second section of "A Trip to Alivel Mall", quick in pace but with a heavy affirmation of the tonic. This section also plays out twice, the second time rising and hitting a climax. A transitional section consisting of scattered and tense syncopated notes follows. The motif of "A Trip to Alivel Mall" enters in a new variation: a rising progression in two groups, also played twice with more layered instrumentation the second time. After this, the electric guitar loses its melodic intiative, giving way to another transitional section: a cadence that then returns to the restless piano intro.

As the transition ends with a dissonant descending phrase and modulation to A minor, a reprise of this track's first section continues in the new key, now led by the piano itself. The second section sees the return of lead electric guitar. In the third section where the rising progression was, the melody is relatively static now, instead coloring the harmonies. Rather than returning to the piano intro, the transition leads to a new section with a descending variant of the melody, softening the tonality with major harmonies. The electric guitar ends this second half of the track with a gentle resolution to G minor. The piano's solo carries over this character while modulating, quietly quoting the true second half of "A Trip to Alivel Mall"'s original melody in B-flat major. However, this ends as quickly as it arrived, and with a final minor resolution, the track loops back from the first section.

Game appearances[edit]

Kirby and the Forgotten Land[edit]

In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, "Faded Dream of a Psychomeddler" plays throughout most of the stages of Isolated Isles: Forgo Dreams: Forgo Plains, Forgo Bay, Forgo Park, Forgo Horns and Forgo Wasteland.

Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]

In Kirby's Dream Buffet, "Faded Dream of a Psychomeddler", named "Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Memorial Song 4" in-game, is unlocked as a music track that can play occasionally during races and Free Rolling after reaching Gourmet Rank 131.

Names in other languages[edit]

References