Disco Elysium is a game that conjures such an incredibly evocative atmosphere, your mind transcends your native environment (living room, basement, den), swapping it for painterly, pulpy intrigue tantamount to stepping into an alternate universe. Yet, as on-the-nose as it is to apply “painterly” to visuals and “pulpy” to words, the soundtrack collates so magnificently with the absinthe cocktail of Disco’s narrative that those adjectives become interchangeable with its audio ambiance. That’s the brilliance of Sea Power, composers of this soundtrack, certainly, but also a group of legendary indie rock status. Much like The Pixies and The Cure before them, they blend genre and magic to harken music that transports you so effectively, each track is akin to a mini film, brimming with character and soulful epicness… while at the same time, feeling intimate and emotional. Do yourself a favor and close your eyes whilst listening; it’s a treat for the psyche.

Much like the impeccable storytelling detail within the game, this Disco Elysium vinyl is a real-life narrative artifact. It’s so ludicrously ambitious and complex that several vendors threw in the towel during the R&D process.  But iam8bit never shrinks from a great challenge. After countless prototypes and late night conversations with developer ZA/UM, the result is a crowning achievement of vinyl jacket engineering. At first glance, it appears to be an ordinary 3xLP package, but unfolds to reveal something much, much more — a meticulously thoughtful origami puzzle design which flattens out to an impressive 3-by-3 feet, revealing a brushstroke tapestry that is worthy of framing. This is a package design for the ages!