Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

In February of 2024, the Italians Avandaren rebooted the 2013 video game Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. For the updated release, considering the extensive video enhancements, plot development and improved gameplay, composer Daniel Carmosino was chosen to write and record a modernized and more elaborate soundtrack.

He teamed up with longtime collaborator Christofer Unterberger to compose new music and to rearrange pieces featured in the original game. The two worked in concert with one another, ultimately not merely rearranging and recording everything, but also bringing in a slew of musicians, an orchestra and full choir to fulfill their vision.

In his approach to reenvisioning the game’s soundscape, Carmosino incorporated several of composer Gustaf Grefberg’s themes and melodies from his original soundtrack for the 2013 release. But Carmosino also felt that with game’s extensive visual improvement, the need for new original compositions was apparent.

One tactic for both revitalizing the old while creating the new, was enlisting the vocal talents of the soundtrack’s original singer, Emma Sunbring. Her familiarity with the music, and players’ familiarity with her voice, helped bridge the gap between the original and the reboot. Emma brought to Carmosino’s project her ability to sing traditional Scandinavian herding calls (“kulning”), which helped initially create a unique feel throughout the music over a decade ago.

It was through countless hours of watching gameplay that Carmosino became personally invested in the experiences of those who played Brothers. As the characters’ own emotional journeys unfolded before players, so should the soundtrack–the music matching each characters’ emotional highs and lows, accomplishments and defeats.

Video game music has certainly taken many forms over the years. But with Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, composer Daniele Carmosino dove headlong into the project. His aligning a multitude of musicians and a talented production team ultimately resulted in a soundtrack that is nothing short of breathtaking.