If you are a regular reader of the Humble Report, you are probably already familiar with Coffee Date (Evelyn Rivera) — the GameChops artist with a unique cinematic approach to VGM lofi. If you are a Coffee Date fan already, the long-anticipated continuation of her Hyrule Café series, Hyrule Café 3, is everything you’ve been waiting for! Or if you have yet to discover the wonders of Coffee Date, then this project is the perfect introduction. Emotive strings, creative re-harmonization, ambient vocals, and some new collaborations.
Right from the opening track, you’re hit with a wave of nostalgia, and it just keeps getting better from there. My personal favourite track off the album is track 10 Bolero of Fire which sounds like it belongs on the soundtrack of a crime thriller or campy mystery adventure. Though track 13 Serenade to A Great Fairy is a close second for me. Some other standouts include an extra laid-back take on Kokiri Forest on track 3 (also featuring the talents of Katie Shesko), one of the best takes on Windfall Island ever recorded on track 6 (featuring GlitchxCity), and track 11 Serenade of Water which features signature Coffee Date vocals and some pristine string playing. Of course, track 5, Korok Forest, also has a certain je ne sais quoi that really sets it apart from the rest.
I honestly don’t know why you haven’t already closed this article to go listen to Hyrule Café 3 right now. Here, let me help you…
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube