Fragments - MP3! (Patreon)

Something a little different!

I've loved the Ratchet and Clank series since the PS2 days. Sadly however when the series moved to the PS3, I didn't and I lost my way with the series. But when Rift Apart was announced for the PS5 I knew I had to not just play it but also write a song about it.

I initially planned to do something silly and befitting the series' more cartoony tone but as I discovered more about the game I realised it dealt with more serious and hard hitting themes underneath the zany aesthetic, themes that I could relate to and draw from. And so here we are with 'Fragments'.

Ratchet and Clank think they have the world all figured out until the world changes suddenly and unexpectedly around them, leaving them having to adapt to new circumstances. In a world(s) where they meet other versions of themselves they question what it means to be them. Clank gets damaged and has to overcome being 'broken' to realise he is not defined by his flaws. These themes resonated with me and personal experiences in my life, of self doubt and self discovery, especially pertaining to finding my place in the LGBTQ+ community, gender identity and learning to accept and embrace my queerness. (Funnily enough I've not talked about that part of the song's inspiration more publicly but I think I'm safe doing so here. <3 )

I think I managed to deftly dance down the fine line of directly referencing the game but also exploring it's wider themes. I'm also very proud of the harmonies in this one, I've spent a long time trying to improve my work in harmonies after some truly atrocious ones in my early work (some to hopefully soon be fixed via the remaster treatment!)

...Also it's stupidly long.

Originally the song didn't have that third verse, just a bridge. Then after the lyrics were done and mostly recorded I had more ideas and... Well I guess I'm just not capable making songs under 4 minutes. Whoops!

I hope you enjoyed the track folks! It's the first of a run of smaller projects as I work on my new house. Lots of decorating and furnishing to do! I'll be back with the BIG videos in another couple of months but expect some smaller fun stuff in the meantime!

~Stupes