Neo Cab

I’m Joe—perhaps, in this context, better known as Obfusc—and am enthusiastically handling all-things-audio for Neo Cab.

The project first popped onto my radar via a rather cryptic-yet-beamingly-positive tweet reply from Patrick (@hoverbird): “We should REALLY talk about what I’m doing next! #videogames.” I slid (respectfully) into his DMs and he laid out a high-level pitch: Near future. Night. Automation. Surveillance. Driving. Dystopia.

When we talked prospective music, the keywords we exchanged meshed; the sonic palette touched on everything from the obvious flavors of synthwave and vaporwave, to world instruments and jazz breaks. I knew Patrick’s taste from occasional listens to his now silent, then fantastic bff.fm radio program, “Warm Focus,” which occasionally featured my work as Obfusc. Via the magic of short-form message exchange, I organically slipped into the Chance Agency/Neo Cab fold in November 2016.

Vincent’s incredible, early mood/concept pieces translated to buoyant sonic inspiration, as did the phrase “Stay Human.” The music, in my mind, would have a certain solitary sensuality of night. Occasionally, there should be darkness, claustrophobia, ominous foreboding. As the writing team churned out the foundation of the city we now call Los Ojos, it was all too easy to imagine a landscape within it, the places a driver-for-hire (or nocturnal urban explorer) would encounter. The inspiration was—and is—everywhere.

As time has elapsed and work progressed, I’ve produced just south of thirty pieces that comprise the working draft soundtrack of Neo Cab. I can’t express how hard it is to keep this under wraps; I’m really, really proud of the work thus far. Since the release of our gameplay trailer at E3, it’s been amazing to pull back the metaphorical curtain a bit to let everyone see the collective effort that I’m privileged and proud as hell to be a part of.

I’ve chosen a working draft for a track titled “Halogen Mosaic” to break down a bit, discussing the sonic choices and how it relates to the overall whole of the music created for the game. 

Thanks a million for your interest in the game, the music, and those who are behind it. I’m confident in saying that we, the collective Chance Agency, are beyond thrilled with the enthusiasm and curiosity expressed toward our work.