Yasunori Mitsuda: a composer who needs no introduction. Over the years, his compositions for games have garnered an impressive embodiment of attention and acclaim in the game music community. Alas, in spite of being an artist of this caliber, his discography is not without hidden gems. Hako no Niwa is one such gem, oft trampled upon by hoards of fanboys in their frenzied rush to hear the likes of the ever-popular scores to Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, and Xenogears.

This is unfortunate, because Hako no Niwa boasts a similarly powerful listening experience. While the album's approach is riddled with minimalism, this feature is no detriment. The tracks utilize an enveloping simplicity that, while slightly superficial in comparison to the composer's well-known work, does not seek to sacrifice memorability. Mitsuda asserts his playful side in Hako no Niwa, engrossing the listener in a realm of innocence where they need not scrutinize the music, but instead appreciate each track for what it is.