In July 2025, acclaimed composer Dren McDonald unveiled Stay: Forever Home Vol. 1: CHAO (Original Game Soundtrack) through Appearing Records, the first in a two-part series accompanying the MR/VR game Stay: Forever Home. This imaginative EP captures the soundscape of a world both magical and grounded, fantasy-driven yet deeply tied to human emotion. With Sophia James and Amelie Anna lending their ethereal vocals, McDonald creates an environment where melody and texture feel alive, shifting and responding much like the game itself. The result is music that immerses the player in Ember’s world, a doglike magical creature who brings mischief, companionship, and adventure into your home.
“One of the fun challenges in this project was to determine what The Otherlands might sound like. It’s a magical place, very colorful…but it’s not Middle Earth, it’s not traditional fantasy, or RPG-type fantasy. So there aren’t any recorders or mandolins,” says McDonald. “In our design discussions we talked about how all of the magic creatures, plants and objects from The Otherlands would all respond positively to music. It became shorthand for the player to know if an object might have a magical interaction. Our first demo of the game was a scene in The Otherland woods with a campfire and Ember, and I prototyped that scene with only a few elements: open-tuned acoustic guitar, one simple synth and some vocal samples from Sophia that I had from a session we did for a different project. I ran the vocal samples through some granulator synth modules in Eurorack, and found the sound with just those elements. It needed to be simple, light and evocative.”
The EP opens with “Into The Otherlands,” a stunning introduction that sets the tone for the adventure ahead. A picked acoustic guitar grounds the piece in raw, organic sound, while the vocal arrangements soar, edited with precision until they resemble synthesizers more than human voices. The effect is haunting and otherworldly, as if a chorus of spirits were chanting in a forest, their tones lingering like glimmering flutes long after night has fallen. It’s a track that simultaneously carries the magic of fantasy and the warmth of something tactile and real.
Following closely is “Ember’s Magic Walk,” which feels like a continuation of the opening journey. Here, Sophia James’ vocals stretch to brilliant heights, igniting a sense of wonder that propels the listener deeper into the game’s landscape. Much like Ember herself—curious, playful, and magical—the music infuses the gameplay with spirit and vitality. In Stay: Forever Home, players bond with Ember by going on walks, collecting and trading items, and exploring fantastical realms. McDonald’s compositions elevate those interactions, making the fantastical world feel both inviting and alive.
The playful side of the soundtrack shines in “Behold the Mossling Thief!,” where quick pacing and inventive percussion build momentum. The vocal lines evoke flutes in a way that recalls the iconic White Lotus theme, balancing whimsy with intensity. Its companion piece, “The Extended 80s Mossling Thief,” takes the energy even further, weaving percussive drive and dazzling vocal interplay into a track that feels both cinematic and adventurous. Together, these songs transform the listening experience from serene exploration into thrilling gameplay.
On “Tradeboard Circle,” McDonald leans into a childlike sense of fun. Percussive elements and playful sound effects carry a spirit of lightheartedness, while James and Anna harmonize to create a whimsical, carefree atmosphere. The EP then closes with “Introducing Ember,” its most heartfelt track. Here, warmth radiates through every note, echoing the feeling of falling instantly in love with a new pet. It’s a piece filled with excitement, nurturing spirit, and pure affection—the perfect emotional prelude to the adventures waiting in Ember’s world.
Dive into the Otherlands now and listen to Stay: Forever Home on all streaming platforms or hear it while you play the game!
Written by Ryan Cassata
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