Minecraft Discs

♦ August Ehrlich ♦

Chirp – First, Chirp. An unfamiliar feeling, like returning home after a long journey, but something isn’t quite right. Soft notes play in the background, and you have no idea where they come from. Its tune is supposed to convey a sense of ease, like a doctor’s waiting room, and it does succeed in this, but it also (towards the beginning) is a little uneasy. You never know what’s going to happen next, and that’s part of the fun. As the song progresses towards the end, the melody changes to a remix of the classic Minecraft theme, which also drives in the idea of some kind of home, peace, and love.

Wait – Very curious and infinitesimal, like its name suggests, Wait encourages that feeling of eternal waiting and journeying, no end. I think of a superflat world when I hear this disc, and I think it could be a good background for a timelapse. Just endless days and nights rolling over into eternity. I think it’s quite soft and peaceful, similar to many others in the roster, but it really drives in the “eternity/always more” aspect that Minecraft has. It gets more subtle towards the end, kinda as if it’s fading into the background music itself. Wait is a feeling of timeless expanse.

13 – Arguably frightening, this is the closest one has to actual horror in-game. This disc represents the darkest corners of Minecraft, the things we fear. Deep caves, monsters of the night. These things are what this disc exemplifies. 

Far – I think this is the sound of caving, of finding ores hidden deep below the surface, their shining faces poking out at you. You found it! Good for you. That diamond will surely be useful in the armor you’re crafting. Or, perhaps, some mighty weapon for you to strike back against the creatures of the night! Or, perhaps, some new tool for a great build project. Who knows? All that matters here is that you found something special. Far expresses that feeling of exploration and discovery of treasure, of searching for new things and the happiness when we do find them.

Blocks – This song seems kinda industrial. If one was making redstone doors, or automated farms, and being very mechanically-minded. It’s a working song, designed to fit into the hustle and bustle of a lively engine, churning away at some task. It’s jumpy, hopscotching from one beat to the next,  but still driving the player forward, always. It is a long disc, but a good job takes time to complete, and it serves as an example of that. Or, another example. You’re walking through a village, surrounded by the heady thrum of a city, a town, ripe with culture, and laughter, and love, and all these amazing things. You trade with some villagers for some trinket or bauble, and they smile at you as you do to them. You feel welcome here, and the whole place just seems alive. It’s an interesting disc, for sure.

Cat – This disc I think also shows the passage of time as a never-ending journey, similar to Wait. However, this disc allows the listener to reflect on the quiet moments as well, the well-earned time you spend with your pets, your loved ones, your friends. This disc isn’t afraid to stop and slow down, take a breath. It’s a peaceful, charming melody, with that new feeling of life and love. You have gone out there and discovered something new. You’ve been a hero, slain a dragon, built a castle — anything you imagined could be done, and you have done it! This disc, contented (for now) tells that story, knowing you’re still not done. After all, this universe is a thing of your creation, and here, you have no limits.

Mellohi – This disc is fun. It kinda reinforces the dangers that one faces in Minecraft on a regular basis. Its melody is jarring and sharp, but there are softer undertones and notes throughout the song which, while they soften the blows of the main piece, are slowly drowned out, and while they are present, do reinforce the uncertain vibe of the whole disc. While danger is present, you do have a chance.

Ward – This one is spooky. I think this disc exemplifies the idea of a chase. Of running from something you can’t see. An enderman, perhaps? That feeling of restlessness and fear is present in this disc, but also the sense of action. You’re doing something of some kind, something that could hurt you if you’re not careful. Maybe you’re fighting something? Who knows? All the disc knows is action and urgency, moving, moving, moving. Go, go, go. It’s fun to listen to, but is rather frantic in its message.

Strad – This disc conveys a sense of ease, successfully this time. It feels to me like you’re sitting on a bench, watching the sun set, surrounded by friends or beloved pets. Or maybe you’re watching the crops you planted grow, the flourishing of the fruits of your labor. Strad really conveys a sense of pride, accomplishment, and growth. As time passes, you learn more, and you can do more. You will always be improving, and always learning, but there’s never a dull moment with you. You’re always working on something, bettering yourself, striving to be the best Player you can be. It’s cute, for lack of a better word. I think this disc is one of the most inviting of all the discs, and it’s really a fun one to listen to.

Stal – I think Stal is one of my favorites out of all the discs. Its casual, laid-back tune really just encourages chilling out, maybe with a friend, and having a friendly chat. Nothing serious is happening, and you and those you love are living their best life right now. Free in the moment, ya know? There’s honestly not much to say about this disc, but that’s why I love it. You don’t need complex metaphors to have a good time, and that’s what this disc wants. A good time.

11 – kill yourself now. 

Eleven – This disc is really something. It’s watching your world grow and prosper, and knowing that while it shall outlive you, you shall never stop loving it for what it is. It is young, and it is old. It is timeless, yet short-lived. It is everything to you, and yet it’s a silly block game. Nobody could appreciate this world as much as you.

Mall – Mall, I think, really drives in the “vibes” part of Minecraft. Just relaxing, building some kind of house, maybe living with some friends. Building something together. A city to last the ages. It’s truly a fun one. Similar to Stal, it doesn’t have a lot to say, but what it does say is sweet and memorable.

Pigstep! – My favorite disc of all. Pigstep really embodies the Nether to me, which, of course, is fitting. The scratchy background and low tones really embody the whole warm element of the Nether. This disc has someone exploring the Nether, seeing what there is to see. Everything’s new, and everything is fun. I love this disc, honestly, but I can’t really think of much to say about it. It’s just a fun Nether jam.

Otherside – This disc really embodies that feeling of success, that top-of-the-world productive feeling. You’re living and working with people you love, and every day is full of life and laughter for you. This song is summery, radiating with warmth and love. You feel invited and welcome all at once, as you rest on your laurels rightfully earned. Together or alone, the message remains unchanged. It’s a really special disc, and I think it’s pretty fun. 

5 – Well, what to say about 5, except [error]

Relic – Relic embodies that feeling of discovering what once was lost. Which, like many other discs, is fitting, because it is found in long-lost trail ruins in Suspicious Gravel. It’s been buried for a while, but you dust it off and this feeling of exploration, of trails and tales yet to be explored and told, washes over you. The world is large, and full of dangers, yes. But it is also full of beauty, and it is your quest to go out there and see what new treasures you can find. New biomes, new structures, things like that. All these fresh, unexplored places not seen for millennia are waiting for you to discover their secrets and restore them to glory. Their hallowed halls await the tread of another’s feet on their floors, and they shall be excited to finally feel complete again. Go out there and find them.

Precipice - Precipice is the dawning of a new day. The feeling of sun on your face as you exit your home, or cavern, or portal, that feeling of being born again. The world is fresh and new to you, for you have returned to it. There could never be anything without you. Many may doubt you, but that disc does not. It rejoices for your return, with the clanging of church bells the joyous exultation of a universe reunited with the scion of its first children. The disc is glad to feel loved again. 

Creator- Creator is the tick-tick-tick of Minecraft’s mechanical heart singing to you. The ebb and flow of machinery, the crash of piston doors, the redstone blood flowing in a machine’s metallic veins. It is the beat to which a thousand souls mine and craft away, continually working and building and growing and changing in thousands, millions, hundreds of beautiful ways. It is the steady beat of progress, as you tackle a new challenge. You may be deterred at first, for the complexities of these worlds are many, and not all have the strength of will or wit to overcome them. But you do. And so, what shall you do with that power? The choice is, as it always was, up to you. Go forth and create.