Control Resonant Composer Says Dylan's Theme Is Jesse's Theme Played Backward

Alanko told TechRadar Gaming that the method for writing Dylan's theme was distinct from Jesse's because their origins start in different places. Without going into spoilers, he said their paths are different, but "Due to their roots, they actually share the same theme - but Dylan's is essentially Jesse's theme backwards." He said the theme first appeared already in the original Control at a few points, but in this game he wanted to "slap the gamer's face properly with it." He added that because they share DNA, the theme is shared too.

What was Jesse's power theme is, for Dylan, a source of growth, Alanko said. It appears in different harmonies across the game, and depending on events, the harmony root is changed under the melody a few times. Jesse had her power theme played in direct conjunction with her position only in the ending, he said, whereas Dylan's appears all the way, texturizing his path from nothing to a superhero.

Alanko also described a difference in scale. He said the scale of the protagonist is larger in Control Resonant. Jesse's theme landed and was grounded in a way that was a "'THIS IS ME' statement," while "Dylan's is more upward-reaching, as if it was asking for permission for Dylan's existence." From very early points of development, Alanko said, he had the feeling Dylan was asking for a justification for his release and his freedom. He described Dylan as an involuntary hero; although Dylan chooses to become one, he just doesn't know it in the beginning.

The composer pointed to a specific moment to illustrate that choice: grabbing a walkie-talkie from a corpse hanging mid-air after having come out from the building is Dylan's knowingly made decision, "'I choose this.'" He chose to walk that path, and Alanko said he wanted to pinpoint and emphasize the attempt by creating a few very driving percussion patterns through the story.

Control Resonant also features a blended theme for both siblings called "Sibling Theme." Alanko said the game's end credits track, "The One I Once Knew," was easily one of his favourites, and that "Sibling Theme" would not exist without it. He said they were not able to use any vocals with "Sibling Theme" because there was a metric ton of voiceovers happening, and they did not want to distract the gamer from the core feeling of the Broken Conduit, the place where "Sibling Theme" is played through various devices and means.

Alanko said Amelia Jones, whom he called one of the music industry's most beautiful voices, appeared on the end credit track, "The One I Once Knew." Jones recorded and edited her own vocals and sent him everything she had performed, and he said he did not have to change a thing from her selections, calling her voice, work ethic and ear awesome.

Editor's Summary

Control Resonant composer Petri Alanko says Dylan's theme is Jesse's theme played backward, with motifs meant to show growth, an upward reach and a chosen but initially unconscious heroism. The soundtrack also includes a blended "Sibling Theme" and the end credits track "The One I Once Knew," featuring Amelia Jones. The account comes from an interview with TechRadar Gaming.