
We’re listing the ten best Soundtracks of the Decade. These are the ten PlayStation scores released over the past decade that we believe left the biggest impression on our sonic palettes. Whether it’s Journey's Grammy nominated masterpiece or Destiny’s 8 movement symphony, these are the soundtracks that hit the best notes across the last ten incredible years of gaming. Head here to see the complete series.
Lots of great game music is laser focused on elevating what’s going on in the game you play. Usually it’s in service to hammering home a specific emotion. But what happens if the feeling you want to convey is “style”? Well, Persona 5 might know a thing or two about that. From the menus to the character design to the music, every facet of Persona 5 is just dripping with its own distinctive style balancing practicality with delightful panache.

A game as vibrant and over the top as Persona 5 needs a fitting soundtrack, so who better than someone who worked on practically every Persona game there is: Shoji Meguro. Meguro may have outdone himself this time, though, as from the first note of the opening animation to the game’s conclusion, the music sneaks its way into your head and will not leave no matter what. We haven’t picked up Persona 5 in quite some time, but we can still hum quite a few of the tunes to this day. Plus, the theme from the Velvet Room of course makes a triumphant return.
Where some games remain iconic for their main theme, and a smattering of melodies here and there, there’s almost not a single track in Persona 5 that’s not recognisable. The true breadth of memorable tracks and the roles they serve in-game are actually quite impressive. Even the music that functions as background noise has enough flair to it that you come away noticing it. What’s more, the flashiness of the music, much like other areas of the game, manages not to overstep. It’s one thing to be stylish and draw attention away from other areas, but the music walks a fine line. It works in harmony with the core elements of the experience rather than detracting from them. It’s the kind of music that immediately catches the ear of any Persona fans in the vicinity when it’s on. Those heads perk right up once the connection is made. It takes something truly special to pull that off.
Did you like Persona 5's incredible music as much as we did? Let us know in the comments section below.
Comments 24
Honestly, this should be waaaaaay higher. It works outside the game and has so many memorable tunes. Every single track contributes to the overall style. I’d struggle to pick between this and Nier Automata for #1. That note Lyn hits towards the end of Hoshi To Bokura To is possibly the greatest moment in any OST this decade.
If this is only number 9 , then what on earth is number 1??
Persona 5 easily has one of the best and most unique soundtracks of the decade. Musically, it's one of Atlus' strongest games.
Definitely should be higher on this list.
@Miles_Edgeworth There's still 7 more soundtracks for people to say either shouldn't be on the list or should be higher first! It's gonna be a fun ride!
@Ralizah I personally think I still like the soundtrack from 4 more, but 5's soundtrack is just so darn good anyways. Just about everything else from 5 i think I like more haha
Persona 5's soundtrack is hard to beat, I'm surprised it is only 9th on the list.
This is easily my favorite soundtrack of the decade and very close to my GOAT. I can't imagine what the top 5 are if this is only #9.
I personally prefer P3’s OST, but this is excellent as well. Definitely has its own flavor throughout.
Blooming Villain and the Casino themes are my favorites. I replayed P5 recently and while the flaws in the confidants and endgame were very noticeable this time around, the soundtrack and especially the art direction are timeless.
@Claude agreed! although I've never played 3 truth be told. A full on remake or remaster id probably play though
Watch some generic orchestrated trash be #1.
Persona 5's soundtrack is so good.
"The Days When My Mother Was There" was so good when it goes along with the context of the palace.
I thought it was quite forgettable to be honest. P4's was much better.
I could've sworn this would've been number one.
This is one of the only games I've played where I haven't turned off the music altogether.
Much lower than I expected to me this could be number 2 just behind Nier Automata
@ankehuber Turn the music off
@ApostateMage I don't find 5 forgettable by any means, but I do like 4's more as well!
@ApostateMage You’re lying if you never waited til “you’ll never see it coming” to do your all-out attack
The music in Persona 5 isn't quite for me unfortunately. A few great songs, Blooming Villain in particular, but jazz isn't my thing. Though Lyn Inaizumi's vocals are probably my least favourite thing about the tracks.
I much prefer Yumi Kawamura (Persona 3's vocalist) & Shihoko Hirata (Persona 4's).
Hell I even like Lotus Juice more
@gbanas92 yeah I usually turn music off in all games I play, I'm not a huge music fan.
I did enjoy this one though, and the pause menu screen of FFIV.
This should be way higher. The only acceptable substitute for number 1 is Transistor.
@ankehuber My mind is blown! Music is practically my favorite thing about games! Of course, everyone enjoys things in their own way, but I just can't imagine many of my favorite games without music! Do you find game music annoying? Or immersion-breaking? You've got me really curious now!
Absolutely incredible soundtrack. I love how thematically cohesive it is. Plus it has the best boss theme. Ever. P4 certainly has great individual tracks but something about 5's overall clicks more with me. In terms of how it all slots into the game, it's a perfect marriage of visuals and music.
@gbanas92 Persona 3 is another outstanding musical effort from Atlus. I love how strange and otherworldly the Tartarus tracks are.
@gbanas92 fair question, I'm not really a fan of music in general actually, I just don't listen to it much and whilst I sometimes don't mind it in games I find it influences my gameplay too much (especially driving games). Maybe I'm missing out as I really did enjoy Persona 5's.
Great article! Hoping to see one on No Man's Sky in the next week or so
I refuse to believe there were eight soundtracks better than this in the decade.
@ankehuber Ah that's reasonable. Definitely not a stance I hear often, but I get it haha
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