FIGHTING TALK

MISCHA IP STEPS INTO A NEW ERA WITH A GAMING-INSPIRED CONCEPT ALBUM BY LAUREN JAMES

A SAMURAI’S PHILOSOPHY forms the prelude to

The Odyssey of Freya, the beguiling new album by Mischa Ip. “Do you know why I erect tombstones for those who died by me? Because they deserve to be commemorated,” the monologue opines. It establishes the dramatic atmosphere for a record inspired by the singer’s love of RPG gaming, games soundtracks and cosplay, all set in the fictional world of Chaos.

Much like Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce, Freya functions as Ip’s dichotomous artistic persona: she says she feels like her true self when playing video games at home. “I have always wanted to create a story about a virtual character. At first, I just had a fictional person, and I thought of Freya as the starting point,” she says.

Rather than pump-up battle music, the record leans more towards emotional ballads. Living Einherjar sets the scene: over soft acoustic guitar, Ip addresses a fallen warrior, praising them for their bravery. The album is “a story of redemption”, Ip says; one so immersive that she learned samurai sword fighting for this track’s cinematic music video.

“Welcome to Chaos. Press start to begin” opens

The Battle of Discordia, on which Ip urges her protagonist to keep fighting. Two versions of this song appear on the album. The first features more sentimental piano, while the “Dance Battle Remix” pairs Ip’s crystalline voice with crisp EDM – it serves well as a final boss battle closer.

Whether or not you’re a fan of gaming, the tone of the album is universally rousing: themes of honour and fortitude pervade. “We have many difficulties to go through in life,” says Ip. “Everyone has their own story and difficulties, but must fight for what they believe in and become a warrior in life.”

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