Kenneth Young has made a name for himself as a Scottish composer, sound designer, and writer. More on edinburgh-trend.
What’s particularly interesting about Young, however, is his rather unconventional approach to composing. He doesn’t create the kind of music we typically hear on the radio or at concerts. Instead, Kenneth is the mastermind behind the soundtracks for video games.
He carries out his work with such passion and professionalism that his soundtracks turn out to be truly unique. For example, the composer often employs his own signature method, which allows the music to shed its purely digitised feel and become more “human.”
Fascinating, isn’t it?
Early Years
The future composer was born in Edinburgh. It’s worth noting that in Kenneth’s case, a love for creativity was instilled in him from childhood. And, of course, it all began with a solid musical education.
From an early age, the boy learned to play the violin. However, upon reaching the age where he needed to decide on further education, Kenneth surprised everyone by choosing to leave performing behind and delve into the intricate study of sound.
Thus, the young man began studying Music Technology at the University of Edinburgh. This education allowed him to learn a great deal about the creative aspects of working with sound.
Kenneth later earned a Master’s degree in Sound Design from Bournemouth University.
Career Beginnings
Education is all well and good, but however pleasant it is to be a student, a career must begin sooner or later. Young’s professional journey officially started in 2004.
It was then that he held the position of Junior Sound Designer in the centralised audio department at Sony London Studio. He worked on well-known games that garnered a multitude of fans, including The Getaway: Black Monday, Heavenly Sword, and EyeToy: Kinetic.
Despite his significant successes, Kenneth later referred to this period of his life as a “baptism of fire” and a learning phase. These words sounded rather surprising coming from such a talented specialist, especially since his work undeniably improved the sound quality of the aforementioned games, a fact even noted by users.
Talent Recognised
In 2007, Kenneth surprised everyone further when he announced his departure from Sony London Studio. He then began collaborating with the video game development startup Media Molecule. His primary goal was to significantly improve LittleBigPlanet, which he successfully achieved.
The quality of the game’s audio was highly praised, as evidenced by prestigious awards. Notably, in 2009, the game received 8 exceptional nominations for a G.A.N.G. Award.
Successful Outcome
When it came time to develop LittleBigPlanet 2, Kenneth collaborated with other composers to create a new soundtrack. He proposed taking the eclecticism of the original composition as a foundation, and Young’s colleagues heeded this suggestion.
The result was highly successful, leading to a 2012 nomination for an Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences award in the category of Original Musical Composition.
Signature Approach
Later, Young crafted an unusual soundtrack for the video game Tearaway. The composition turned out to be truly unique. It was subsequently noticed by representatives of the British Academy Games Awards, leading to the soundtrack being nominated for an award in 2014.
This recognition, to some extent, made Kenneth a trailblazer. Typically, video game music is associated with something purely digital, lacking “human” touches. In the case of Tearaway, the composition stands out precisely for its author’s “handmade aesthetic.” That is, the usual musical digitisation isn’t noticeable there. And it was this very factor that transformed the soundtrack into a genuine sensation, elevating the composer’s work to a new level.
New Achievements
In February 2015, Kenneth officially announced the cessation of his collaboration with Media Molecule. The composer explained this decision by stating his desire to “go freelance,” in other words, to embark on a career as an independent contractor.
However, it’s worth noting that by this time, Young had already gained considerable experience and, of course, built a strong reputation. He was already known as a talented composer, the author of unique video game soundtracks. So, he wasn’t out of work for long, and soon delighted audiences with high-quality audio for Tethered, WonderWorlds, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, and more.
Thus, Kenneth Young is arguably one of the most unconventional figures in the composing industry. Every piece of music he creates receives acclaim from authoritative organisations, and the video games he’s worked on are noted for their high sound quality.
Indeed, Kenneth himself can justly be described as a uniquely brilliant individual. How else to explain his ability to create genuine masterpieces for a product as complex as video games?!
