Portal by Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory
“This was a triumph. I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.”
Subject Name Here
Grab your Long Fall Boots and meet me in the Test Chamber this week with Portal by the Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory. Pressed on Blue/Orange split and Gray/White split vinyl by Mondo, the soundtrack to Valve's legendary puzzle adventure game is here to send you into an electronic trance. Will you have what it takes to traverse this labyrinth of puzzles to find the cake?
Self Esteem Fund
As one of my favorite games of all time, Portal has always held a special place in my heart, and that is why I want to celebrate my birthday with all of you by showcasing this wonderful album and release from Mondo. As one of the most elaborate packages for a vinyl I have ever seen, Mondo pulled no stops in delivering a futuristic soundtrack in one of the most futuristic ways and I love it to pieces.
Track 65 is the beginning of the Portal soundtrack.
Procedural Jiggle Bone
Released in 2007, Portal took the entire world by storm with its mind-blowing puzzle mechanics and hilarious writing. As an instant cult classic, it's no wonder the soundtrack has also resonated with its fan base long after completing it. Ten years after the game's original release date, we and all of our turntables were finally graced with its presence to spin forever and ever. Being one of my favorite releases of 2017, my little Companion Cube heart almost couldn't take the journey that this album on vinyl would take me on. Completely removed from the context of the game, this soundtrack is able to expand and grow beyond the boundaries of 1s and 0s and truly shows the genius that went behind its composition.
No Cake For You
Electronic bits float through the air and cascade around the room falling deftly across your turntable as atomic particles of sound collide in this wondrous experiment of sound. Like a dream sequence, the needle travels across the vinyl in this smooth dance releasing vibrations of tones that resonate into the ether of your unconscious before embedding there like an electronic node, firing off pulses of sonic noise that never ceases to let you go. This album will take you on an ambient journey like you've never experienced before, all at the pace of 33 ⅓ revolutions per minute. The syncopation of tones and the gradual shift of ominous droning that transcends into the melancholic lullaby of tones just drowns out all other sounds and leaves you with this synthetic melody that is so cool. Portal is an album that will wrap you up tight in its tangential coils of sound all before dropping you deep within its own frigid heat death of notes.
4000 Degrees Kelvin
While the ambient nature of the album appeals strongly to me and aligns with the type of music I like to listen to casually, the pure electronic nature of this album may be a turn off for some sonically. As one of the most ambient soundtracks I own, Portal resonates in this spectrum of sound that totally captivates me -- It's a perfect companion for when you need to study or focus. There's this sense of calm and eerie solitude that makes this one of my most often spun albums to date and one I always relish when releasing it from its polyurethane sleeve.
Stop What You Are Doing
As I said, my favorite aspect of this album is without a doubt the ambiance. The gradual shift and progress throughout each track add to the journey this album will take you on. There's this nostalgic twinge from hearing "Procedural Jiggle Bone" that ironically sends chills up my spine. The gradual modulation of tones that transcends into this bright yet discordant crescendo gets me every time I hear it. With the credits song "Still Alive" being one of the most popular songs in video game music, the pure sarcastic and witty references thrown throughout its lyrics always gives me a laugh to this day, and is the perfect way to close out this album in style, especially with the included acoustic remix!
You're Not A Good Person
Mondo has really outdone themselves with this release. Designed by Alan Hynes, and dubbed as a “Magic Wallet” style package, this is quite possibly one of the most elegant and unique gatefolds I have ever seen. Able to be opened from either end, the gatefold for this soundtrack feels altogether futuristic, which is quite fitting for the game that it represents. The subtle debossed jacket featuring the iconic Companion Cube is a wonderful touch and definitely gives this album that white sterility that we often saw within Portal's many intricate levels.
You Can't Escape You Know
Mastering for this album is fairly good. While the noise floor is a little robust with a somewhat noticeable hiss in quieter sections, the dynamic range here is quite pleasant. The way this album goes from soft transient passages to blasting you with vibrant synths that rock the walls is truly incredible, and make for a very enjoyable listen!
Still Alive
The nostalgia factor of this album is through the roof, and I just can't help but be thrust back into my time with the game when listening to it. This record is definitely one of the best albums in my collection and one that I cannot recommend enough. Buy this album now, you definitely won't regret it! One could say that it takes the cake… Sorry, NOT!
Where to buy?
This album is still readily available directly from Mondo. The Blue/Orange variant pictured in this review was the Mondo Con exclusive edition and is unfortunately sold out and very hard to find. The Gray/White split, however, is still available as well as a solid black vinyl. As one of the most unique packages, I've ever seen a vinyl released in, that factor alone is worth picking this album up. The music itself is an acquired taste for some and may not be for you. As a nostalgic album for fans of the games, it's way more than worth it!