Sony Music Masterworks releases Johannes Johansson's original soundtrack to Hoa, a new puzzle-platforming game from PM Studios. Experience the magic of nature and imagination as you play the main character, Hoa, on her journey through breathtaking environments back to where it all began. The resulting 17-track (49 min, 38 sec) collection matches the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere of the game with captivating story-telling and a touch of nostalgia...

Johannes Johansson delivers an exceptionally magical soundtrack for the game Hoa. Mostly piano based, the orchestra acts as a beautiful backdrop before it delicately sweeps in to add a goose pimple inducing swell.

If you've played the game then you'll already know how atmospheric and sweet it is. And it works so well as a standalone collection of themes in its own right. Johansson toys with the listeners emotions without ever falling back on cliched tricks. This is an album of music with soul, substance and a lot of heart. It's obvious the composer has poured a lot of love and emotion into the themes.

If, like me, you absolutely adore melancholic, yet paradoxically uplifting classical music then you'll fall head over heel in love with Hoa.

A rich, varied, unforgettable journey that you'll be revisiting time and time again for many years to come.

9

Darren Rea