> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://nowplaying.cool/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How composer crisp channeled Machine Girl and Y2K grit into the CICADAMATA" soundtrack - URL: https://nowplaying.cool/cicadamata-soundtrack-crisp-interview/ - Published: 2026-09-18T12:24:46.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-18T12:24:46.000Z - Description: I sat down with video game composer crisp to discuss the eclectic CICADAMATA" soundtrack, wearing influences openly, and navigating the indie games landscape. - Author: Peterline6 - Tags: Interview, #sticky I'm a sucker for *Marathon*'s art style. That blend of graphic realism and Y2K futurism really got to me. Turns out I'm not the only one obsessing over Bungie's latest shooter. Earlier this summer, an FPS called [*CICADAMATA"*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3817250/CICADAMATA/) (don't forget that quotation mark!) made serious waves, especially among fans of *Neon White*—a high-speed shooter many know for its breakcore soundtrack composed by Machine Girl. Not only does *CICADAMATA"* pass as a worthy spiritual successor, but it also boasts an art direction reminiscent of *Marathon* and *Mirror's Edge*. The music? Well, calling it "inspired by" Machine Girl would be an understatement. Not that I'm complaining; I'm always down for more breakbeats in games! But that chaotic sonic cocktail made me curious about the creator behind it. A man of few words, crisp is a relentless composer who is only just getting started. **So, crisp! Let's kick things off with an easy one: who are you, and what drove you to become a video game composer in the first place?** **crisp:** I'm crisp, I'm 28 years young, and I'm a musician based in Ireland. I've always had a love for both video games and music, so it was only natural that I would fall into this line of work. It's pretty surreal that this is my full-time job now; I've said this before, but it hasn't hit me yet that this is my job, and I'm extremely thankful for it. I wouldn't call it weird; I think everyone has that innate urge to create something, hence humanity's plunge into AI. I don't endorse AI btw, it upsets me greatly, and I hope it dies out soon. It probably won't, but I think about it all the time. **As you know, it was the *CICADAMATA"* soundtrack that first put you on my radar. How did you end up coming on board for this project? If I remember correctly, you already knew the flowergarden team beforehand, right?** **crisp:** We met in a *Hotline Miami* Discord server a few years back and reconnected over Discord back in 2025\. I had no idea who they were when they messaged me, but after they showed me the game, I basically forced myself onto the project. **Visually striking, *CICADAMATA"* also boasts a distinct sound palette. What was the original brief, and where did you actually start?** **crisp:** There wasn't really a brief, only a mutual agreement. It was a relationship built on trust and admiration for each other's works. I wasn't involved in the day-to-day development; I would only work on the soundtrack in whatever free time I could find. **You've made no secret of it: the soundtrack takes heavy inspiration from Machine Girl's *Neon White* OST—and honestly, it sounds fantastic. But it makes me wonder: how far can an artist lean into their influences before bordering on being a mere copycat?** **crisp:** No clue really; I just make what I can make, and if it ends up sounding like someone else, then oopsies. I've a deep love for Machine Girl and ripped a few of their samples from the *Neon White* soundtrack. I hope they're okay with that. I also ripped some of bye2's drum samples, which they were okay with. I love them, and they love me! Related [ **"Metal and hyperpop have a lot in common", Sarah Wolfe tells us about Don't Stop, Girlypop!** Since the release of DOOM in 2016, the fast-FPS deck has been completely reshuffled. But id Software’s hit was also somewhat dogmatic. Since then, most of the genre's offspring hav… ](https://nowplaying.cool/metal-and-hyperpop-music-have-a-lot-in-common-sarah-wolfe-tells-us-about-dont-stop-girlypop/) **Is there a particular track on *CICADAMATA"* that you hold closest to your heart, and what makes it stand out to you?** **crisp:** I like 00X\_THE\_END. I made that song during a stream in my Discord server—I was just messing around with a new plugin I found, and that melody just came out. I loved it so much that it ended up becoming the whole song. It's nothing too crazy like the rest of the soundtrack, but I just like making sad stuff. [CICADAMATA" Original Sound Collection VOL. I + TEAR FLESH FROM BONE de crisp](https://stillcrisp.bandcamp.com/album/cicadamata-original-sound-collection-vol-i-tear-flesh-from-bone) **Personally, my favorite is "003\_FULL\_VERSION". I love the driving beat, the distant wailing sirens, and the crisp (wink) production. It nails that euphoric sense of momentum—like having a full head of steam with nothing in the way. What was the story behind crafting this track?** **crisp:** It was after the hype of the Steam Next Fest demo. I was feeling the love, and it lit a fire in me to make that song. It was essentially born from being overwhelmed with excitement about what's to come. [CICADAMATA" Original Sound Collection VOL. I + TEAR FLESH FROM BONE de crisp](https://stillcrisp.bandcamp.com/album/cicadamata-original-sound-collection-vol-i-tear-flesh-from-bone) **You mentioned you weren't the sole composer on the project—january actually just dropped** [**their companion tracks on Bandcamp**](https://flowergarden.bandcamp.com/album/cicadamata-original-sound-collection-vol-ii-my-light-in-dark)**. How do you find the experience of co-composing and splitting creative duties with another artist?** **crisp:** It was nothing really. Again, I wasn't involved with the day-to-day development of the game, so I didn't see much of it, only catching glimpses of my songs in the game. That's not to the detriment of the project—I was just very busy with *Metamorphosis* and *Mama's Sleeping Angels* at the time, so I couldn't dedicate as much time as I'd like to the project. **Skimming through your discography, I'm blown away by the sheer range on display. You strike me as an artist who refuses labels, am I right? Is there any genre you still feel hesitant to dip your toes into?** **crisp:** What even is a label anymore? I find that labels only benefit the average consumer; as an artist and appreciator of the arts, I do find it rather frustrating to constantly attach labels to things. That's not to say labels are inherently bad btw, I just think it's a bit boring. I don't fuck with jazz though; I think I can mimic what sounds like jazz, but overall I just can't do that. That shit's hard. ![](https://nowplaying.cool/content/images/2026/09/CleanShot-2026-09-16-at-17.45.50@2x.jpg) crisp sure keeps busy. **You tend to collaborate with indie studios, small collectives, and solo devs—spaces where budgets can often be tight. How do you navigate making a living as a freelance composer, especially given the turbulent state of the games industry today?** **crisp:** For me personally, I'm just incredibly good at budgeting my money. There was a time last year when I was living solely off commissions, and things were pretty tight for a long while. Shout out to my girlfriend, btw, for seeing the vision. It got pretty scary there for a minute, but I'm in a good place now. I find indie spaces to be pretty hopeful; everyone is full of hope, at least in my eyes. I don't think I'd wanna level up and take on AA or AAA studios—I'm quite okay remaining indie for the rest of my life. **For readers who dig your sound, what essential albums would you point them to first?** **crisp:** For video game soundtracks, I'd put them onto *Hyper Light Drifter* and *Sludge Life*. Those soundtracks basically started my career. For a personal recommendation, check out *Ginkgo* by Panchiko—love those guys. [Ginkgo de Panchiko](https://panchiko.bandcamp.com/album/ginkgo) **What's on the horizon for crisp? You've already put out an impressive amount of work this year—is there more to come?** **crisp:** Check out *Elation For The Wonder Box 6000*. ![NOWPLAYING](https://nowplaying.cool/assets/images/logo-np.png) ### Support independent VGM journalism NOWPLAYING is a publication dedicated to video game music news and the people who make it. If you enjoy my work, consider making a donation — it makes a real difference. [ Ko-Fi ](https://ko-fi.com/peterline6) [ Patreon ](https://patreon.com/nowplayingvgm)