Hi-Fi Rush OST Reflection

Plays during the sequence where Chai uses the power of music(and friendship) to break the barrier.

#hifirush

[LawIsLow]

“I for one Mr. Chai, like your pants.”

[SariatheFrostMage]

The BPM for this song is right around the 72 mark, in the Adagio tempo. The same beat of the average heart at rest. A beat like this is PERFECT for expressing great emotion, which is why it hits so hard. Finding the beat, the rhythm, is easier on tunes around 124 bpm - which a large selection of the sound track is paced at, 124 bpm. Very few songs actively break this rule. Those that do, do it with great intention. And it's the same here. To break this rule, to slow down - to reflect, it's something Chai hasn't done before. To sit still, and focus. To draw the thoughts in and focus on this moment, what he is, what he has done. And he is... and always has been, a rock star.

[jonathanrenderos]

“I don’t need a guitar…I AM a rockstar.”- Chai the rockstar 😁

[SamuraiPixelCats]

I just realized, the whole game is Chai treating this situation like a concert. Even all the battle arenas are called "choruses." When he finally realizes who he is and what his new friends mean to him, what they can do together, that's when you have a music track with an audience backing up, like when the audience teams up with the singer on stage.

[IshimuraD]

Not gonna lie, this scene really got me 😭

[gearhead]

Feel the Beat of your Heart. The Harmony of your Soul. The Frequency of your Courage.

[HalfAluminumChemist]

The fact that they made this amazing rhythm game and DIDNT RELEASE THE OST RIGHT AWAY should be a war crime.

[kingofmemes]

Probably my favorite moment in the game.

[kirbo]

The song just tells you "don't give up"

[CapnShades]

It's by no means a terribly sophisticated plot, but I do like that Chai actually grew towards the end. He wasn't just some dumbass kid who wanted to make it big anymore. His whole demeanor just flips 180 and he starts to put his head first (and his heart close behind ofc).

[querccias]

When I first listened to this song, saw this scene and heard Chai say "You might not see it", I couldn't help but just imagine flashbacks of a younger Chai telling his parents that he wants to be a rockstar when he grows up. His own excitement and encouragement from his parents would lead him to try picking up guitar and achieve that dream - but he could never really get it. He loved music and the thought of being the star of the show shining in a stage housing thousands of people, but he was simply awful at actually playing guitar. He had no talent, no skill, and no experience. Eventually Chai would grow older and reach his adult years, realizing he'd have to give up on his old dream knowing that he just wasn't capable enough for it. He would then follow realistic goals now set by himself and his parents so he could become something in the end.

But the present is here. Chai is 25 and now a college dropout who's finally seen an opportunity to finally achieve his childhood dream of becoming a rockstar. A shortcut to finally acquire the skills he always lacked to accomplish his dreams, Armstrong Enhanced Limb Technology is surely going to give him that key to open the door to the life he always desired, so he takes up the opportunity and ingresses into the Armstrong Project. Only to be given a Magnetic Waste Management arm.

Now moments away from the end and finally meeting his last stop; despite being having one of the most fun, fulfilling and interesting days of his life kicking ass to the beat of his own drum, Chai's entire confidence and fire has finally ran out. Kale's words hit him, and he finally stops to think how he got there and what he's achieved: "nothing". Chai realizes nothing really has changed in the end - he still has no skill with a guitar, and that shortcut he took has really only led him to square zero: he is nothing without said guitar. By seeking a tool to help him reach his ultimate goal, he's become nothing but a tool himself - uncapable and only limited to one function that he was set out to do - yet unable to adapt to new obstacles, becoming obsolete.

Chai is ready to give up then, and as he slowly dwells into his own depression due to this ironic realization, a voice echoes in his head (and literally behind him because everyone is there with him), and the beat of his heart starts echoing back to him. Chai is Chai. His fire burning deep inside him, his attitude, his determination, his passion; his personality and character: that is the reason Chai isn't alone. He has people behind him, fans - his friends, who are only by his side because they want to follow him. Friends that reaffirm Chai that despite what he might think and feel at that moment - that he really is special. And that at the end of the day, despite his seeming incompetence, lack of talent, skills, critical thinking and realistic goals - Chai is the beat that keeps everyone's hearts' going.

It's at this moment that he stops to think about everything that's happened so far. His encounters, the things he did, the friends he made; the decision he took. Chai is a fraud and took the easy way to try and achieve his dream. He's barely put any effort in his life to achieve that, and it shows. But it's by taking this shortcut that Chai achieved something even more valuable - and that is change. Chai was always a gem that needed polishing. By meeting other people, experiencing things, and learning valuable lessons, Chai has been able to become an entirely new person. And with this new person, comes Reflection.

And by taking the time to reflect and feel the beat of his own heart alongside the beats of all around him. Underneath all that seeming incompetence, immaturity and idiocy, now lies an even powerful unending burning desire to be something he always was - but not through a tool - but through the beat of his own heart. Chai has reflected and finally achieved his dream - of realizing the truth deep inside him:

that he's never needed a guitar

He IS a Rockstar.

[tofutomatosauce]

I actually feel emotional when Chai said the thing

[jgwentworthh]

Tango didn't deserve the treatment they got, such a shame. Absolutely amazing game and sound track.

[ShiiroHasu]

If this isn’t an immediate candidate for GotY, something is wrong

[Tenguard]

Damn you Hi Fi Rush. You made this cold heart feel something.

Rock on.

[wiseone]

This game is such a masterful combination of campy silliness and heart.

[endoxos]

Life has a funny way of doing things. Id never heard of this game until a couple weeks ago. Before i was just not in a good spot in life. But i was looking for a change, i was sick of living that way. So i got the help i needed, and the very first day after everything was all said and done i installed this game on a whim and my God. Its like things were falling into place. This amazing game, the music, the message, everything. Spoke to me so hard. Especially this scene, and what an amazing title for the song "Reflection". It just made me think about what I wanted for myself. Who i wanted to be, i teared up actually. I'm sure this is cringe to others but this game really did change my life. It just came into my life at the perfect time and place. Hands down best game I've ever played. Thanks hifi rush

[BN_Youtube]

This moment almost made me cry. It was fucking sick and I loved every moment of it.

[marcosoliveira]

Thank you tango, for this amazing game... Microsoft doesn't deserve such talent people like you guys. we'll miss you 😢

[Nightflash]

It's amazing that this game started out just goofy fun and then it hits you so hard in the feels. Didn't expect that from this game, but I love it so much for it.