Stardew Valley covers: The soundtrack beyond the game

Dec 30, 2020

3 min read

Updated: Aug 12

“You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life!”

Stardew Valley Description from Steam

And what are you going to do with this newfound inheritance in this whimsical town? Make your grandfather proud while enjoying the game’s fantastic gameplay and soundtrack.

It’s a game that’s not only easy to play but easy to lose yourself in. With simple controls and a dynamic storyline, this game will whisk you away to a world of relaxation and friendship.

But it’s far from a care-free game. With in-depth character development, deeply realistic themes, and secret unlockable scenes and areas, this isn’t your average farming simulator.

The Stardew Valley soundtrack, composed by Eric Barone (ConcernedApe), enhances the game's atmosphere with gentle melodies that make farm days cozy, mine trips mysterious, and forest walks nostalgic. It is as iconic as the game's characters and pixel-art world.

Stardew Valley has gained high ratings from several online reviewers, including a 9.5/10 on IGN, a 10/10 on Steam and an 87% on Metacritic.

“The core mechanics and relaxing aesthetic merge so well together that players will sink in to the experience and never want to leave,” describes Destructoid

“There’s a comfort in Stardew Valley that I’ve rarely found in other games….Whether you want to farm, fish, fight monsters, craft, mine, become everyone’s best friend, or do a little bit of everything, this farming adventure has plenty to offer,” Reviews Miranda Sanchez on IGN, discussing its 9.5/10 score of Stardew Valley.

On Switching Styles, we discuss more than just gameplay; there's also a wonderful soundtrack by Eric Barone. In fact, the entire game of Stardew Valley is thanks to Barone, who created it single-handedly, including all music, graphics, coding, and writing. Known online as "ConcernedApe," Barone is the mind and passion behind Stardew Valley.

Taking inspiration from the beloved classic Harvest Moon (now called Story of Seasons), he created an entire world of creative and peaceful farming. He is also the man behind the music of Stardew Valley. The soundtrack contains soft orchestral music which blends in really well with the visuals and gameplay. Check out the whole soundtrack on Bandcamp, Steam, and Spotify. Below are some renditions of Barone’s work in StarDew Valley. Enjoy!

“The music that changes with each season perfectly fits the mellowness of the 16-bit countryside town, and all the activities that await offer both peace in my daily routines and excitement in the land’s mysteries,” continues Miranda Sanchez in her review.

From farm tunes to fan arrangements

That popularity has also inspired musicians to put their own spin on the game's music. From piano arrangements and acoustic performances to orchestral interpretations and full-band covers, Stardew Valley songs have become surprisingly versatile source material.