If you remember the electropop wave of the early 2010s, Purity Ring likely holds a special spot on your nostalgia playlist. And for many young adults from that era, there’s a strong chance you were engrossed in Japanese role-playing games during your teenage years—be it Chrono Trigger on the SNES or Final Fantasy on PlayStation. The duo’s latest single, “Many Lives,” aims to evoke the emotions tied to discovering RPGs at the age of 12, a time when they may have shaped your very identity. Influenced by classics like Skies of Arcadia, Phantasy Star Online, and Secret of Mana, it promises to resonate with fans who cherish that gaming golden age.
This artistic shift is a bold move for a band known for collaborations with acts like Deftones and their covers of Eurodance hits, yet members Megan James and Corin Roddick embrace their gaming passion wholeheartedly. “We’re huge fans of the JRPG genre,” they explain, citing Nier: Automata and Final Fantasy X as key inspirations for the soundscape of their new work. “Right now, we’re both diving into Metaphor: ReFantazio—it’s a fantastic fantasy twist on the Persona formula.”
Five years after their last studio album and with over a decade of remixes behind them, Purity Ring is now fully independent, operating under their own label, The Fellowship. Their upcoming album, set to drop in September, is envisioned as “the soundtrack to an imagined RPG,” telling the story of two struggling characters—representations of Megan and Corin—as they navigate toward a gentler world amid a chaotic backdrop.
Although the album didn’t initially begin as a video game tribute, its production quickly unveiled its narrative depth: “We felt this sense of journey, like exploring an RPG world, that was closely tied to the sound,” they share. This revelation birthed “Many Lives” and its companion piece, “Part II.” “’Many Lives’ serves as the gateway into this imagined realm—the starting point, akin to where most JRPG protagonists embark on their adventures.”
The narrative weaves through Purity Ring’s real-life experiences during production, reflecting “memories and places of both dread and solace” from their pasts. “This album is an extension of the dream required to inspire real change,” they convey, delving into how gaming can offer a narrative leading to creative renewal.
On first listen, “Many Lives” captivates with its ethereal choral elements reminiscent of Kenji Kawai’s iconic Ghost in the Shell score. The haunting introduction pairs with an upbeat breakbeat, evoking the thrill of watching classic anime while reliving Jet Set Radio. The duo doesn’t shy away from expressing their admiration for this era. “The Ghost in the Shell soundtrack paired beautifully with its visuals—it’s an unforgettable experience from our childhood.” Revisiting the anime for this project inspired them to craft music that mirrors its essence, alongside the celebrated game Nier: Automata, which creates a world you can truly feel a part of.
Like Kawai’s composition, “Many Lives” intertwines the haunting tones of Bulgarian folk music with Megan’s vocoded lyrics. Purity Ring embraces unconventional sounds, asserting that they’re not gear enthusiasts and seldom utilize hardware synths. “The Legend of Zelda series has always inspired us—particularly the ocarina music from the N64 games,” they reveal. You’ll detect echoes from 1998’s Ocarina of Time within the melodies, akin to a half-forgotten tune from long ago.
If the nostalgic vocals and retro Casiotone MT-240 sounds don’t stir a longing for the gaming heyday, the accompanying video’s cel-shaded graphics definitely will. Directed by Mike Sunday, the visuals create a whimsical dreamscape, reminiscent of an era when game designers prioritized style over realism. It’s a fusion of Shinjuku and Hyrule, evoking the vibrant landscapes of JRPGs that are striking yet seldom revisited. While Purity Ring holds a special fondness for the PS2 and GameCube era, they also pay homage to the PSP, suggesting that the user interface of their envisioned RPG could fit right into some of the handheld console’s hits.
For me, “Many Lives” conjures memories of afternoons spent playing Baten Kaitos (I still wish for a sequel). For Purity Ring, the tracks “invoke a sense of past, present, and future—a nostalgia for experiences that feel familiar yet are ultimately uncharted.” They are excited to approach this forthcoming album as a new chapter in their art, capturing the essence of a bygone era—chasing the magical feeling of engaging with a transformative game for the very first time.
Mark your calendars: Purity Ring’s self-titled fourth album is set for release on September 26.
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