The Persona 3 Reload Soundtrack Vinyl made me a Record Guy

by

Recently, we received the reissued Persona 3 Reload 4xLP Vinyl Soundtrack Box Set from iam8bit’s merchandise team. This has prompted me to concede and make the purchase of a record player, exclaiming, “Alright, I guess I need a record player now!

To put it straightforwardly, I must confess that a gracious friend of mine lent me his collection for this unique music encounter. He generously shared a selection of other records from his stash, which sparked my interest and prepared my taste buds for savoring one of my favorite OSTs from the previous year. The soundtracks of Silent Hill 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles (1) Definitive Edition were captivating, and he tossed in two Black Red Shoes albums that I found incredibly appealing. Once I had fully immersed myself, I dropped the needle onto the first record and indulged in listening to it.

The Persona 3 Reload Vinyl






As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my excitement over the intricate design of the Persona 3 Reload vinyl collection. This set is cleverly divided into four double-sided records, labeled A to H. The packaging for each record showcases the battle art of every party member and the main character’s menu art for each season in the game, providing a visual treat.

Each record boasts its own distinct color, with the central design on each side varying to help identify the tracks. One of the sides on each record features a subtle glass shattering effect etched into the vinyl, mimicking the party’s Evoker use to summon their Personas. It’s not always immediately noticeable, but when light catches it just right, it creates a stunning rainbow shimmer that I find absolutely captivating.

I especially admire the design of sides G and H, which showcase the distinctive Dark Hour clock and moon in a circular format, respectively. As the vinyl spins on the platter, these images blend seamlessly with the theme. The other sides display P3-themed artwork, but the last record, with its pitch black background and green art, was particularly striking. This black record really sets it apart visually, and I believe it was a wise decision. With the first two records having different shades of blue, and the third being vivid red (representing S.E.E.S), black complemented the predominantly green artwork quite well.

I can’t speak for all vinyl enthusiasts, but I believe the charm of this listening experience lies in its novelty. Every Sunday, I follow a routine where I make my own latte, write articles on my laptop, and immerse myself in the entire P3R record. I silence my phone, toss it aside, turn down the lights, and simply enjoy the music. It’s amazing how such classic technology can produce such clear sound quality. The idea that modern, digitally recorded music can be pressed onto records seems almost magical to me. I don’t usually listen to music through speakers, but for the most part, this is an excellent way to appreciate these songs.

When it comes to enjoying the Persona 3 soundtrack, there’s no specific method that’s better than another. However, since the release of Reload’s re-orchestrated songs, I’ve been leaning towards this version quite a bit. It might be due to its novelty factor, but I believe it’s primarily because it significantly enhances the original tracks. I’m generally intrigued by artistic reinterpretation, and this has piqued my curiosity even more.

The new vocalist, Azumi Takahashi, truly impresses me. Her performances on the new vocal tracks, particularly Full Moon Full Life, Color Your Night, and It’s Going Down Now, are outstanding. I also admire her unique interpretations of the rest of the songs. Among all the tracks on the album, no matter how I listen to it, Changing Seasons -RELOAD- remains my favorite. This track was one of the first we heard during the game’s marketing phase, and it instantly won me over. I hope they bring her back for another project in the future.

I’ve only found one issue with the audio quality, which is related to the vocal tracks. However, take this feedback with a pinch of salt because I have an unusual condition called hyperacusis, which means my hearing is overly sensitive. This has led me to develop a keen ear for sound quality, earning me the label of an “Audio Snob.” I own high-end headphones and find myself listening to my favorite songs repeatedly, sometimes hundreds of times. The vocal tracks in Persona 3 Reload are excellent, and I’ve nearly memorized them over the past year. However, something about the vocals seemed a bit muffled compared to the backing track, especially noticeable in Mass Destruction -RELOAD-. It could be the mixing of these songs in particular or maybe the sound system it was played on. This issue doesn’t seem to affect all the songs, as it sounded fine in Iwatodai Dorm -RELOAD-, but it was more prominent in Mass Destruction -RELOAD- for me.

Although I can’t guarantee that purchasing the Persona 3 Vinyl will compel you to immediately acquire a high-quality turntable, it has certainly served as an excellent pretext for me to start looking for one. Now, I wouldn’t suggest exploiting the generosity of your dear friend by borrowing their record player and never returning it – I’m not here to condone unethical behavior. However, if you find yourself in a pinch, there’s no denying that you could enjoy some quality listening time with a temporary “borrow.” If nothing else, this has piqued my interest in exploring the world of vinyl. Despite growing up during the heyday of CDs and witnessing their eventual demise to make way for streaming services, I still find myself drawn to the charm of record players. Although digital formats will likely remain my primary method of listening, I believe it’s time for me to invest in a record player as well.

Read More

2025-04-14 20:56