Chants of Sennaar Nominated for Best Soundtrack: Why Its Audio Matters?

When Chants of Sennaar earned a nomination for Best Soundtrack in the Steam Awards 2023, it marked more than a commendation it was a recognition of how sound transforms a game into an emotional journey.

Composer Thomas Brunet’s Ambitious Vision

Thomas Brunet, the composer behind Chants of Sennaar, faced the unique challenge of creating a “living language” in musical melodies that felt like the sonic embodiment of each fictional culture. He describes it as “imagining musical expressions of fictional cultures with centuries or millennia of evolution behind them.” To realize his vision, he worked with a talented orchestra: Jean-Frédéric Tixier (violin), Pierre-François Dufour (cello), and Isabelle Desbats (oboe & cor anglais), among others. The result is a score that is emotional, authentic, sophisticated, and rich in cultural layers. Download Chants of Sennaar and experience this wonderful emotion for yourself.

How the Soundtrack Enhances Gameplay

The soundtrack isn’t just background noise it guides your journey through the tower.

• Distinct Musical Themes by Culture: Entering a new floor like the Devotees, the Alchemists, or Bards is accompanied by unique instrumentation and melody that reflect each group’s identity. This deepens immersion and signals emotional context without words.
• Emotional Immersion through Music: Quiet moments reward exploration with subtle tones, while tension builds through swelling arrangements in more dramatic scenes. Each composition supports gameplay pacing, from contemplative thinking to heart-pumping stealth.

Culture Meets Sound Designing “Living Languages”

Sound in this game doesn’t just accompany; it speaks.

• Expressing Cultural Identity: Each fictional society has its own sonic palette woodwind for wisdom, strings for discovery, layered chords for mystical rituals. These musical choices make languages feel alive.
• Motifs as Cultural Signifiers: Repeated musical motifs give each culture a signature. As players progress, variations emerge—mirroring the journey from confusion to connection. It’s subtle, yet powerful in reinforcing narrative themes.

Community and Industry Recognition

Chants of Sennaar’s audio resonance didn’t go unnoticed:

• Steam Awards 2023 Nomination: Among major titles, the game was spotlighted for Best Soundtrack a testament to its auditory storytelling.
• OST Releases: Fans can enjoy the music beyond the game. The soundtrack is available as a digital download on Bandcamp, and even as a signed vinyl edition with a lithograph