Grade 3.5
Duration: 3′ 15″
The music of “CUPHEAD” draws heavily on the sound and style of 1930s American animation, combining early jazz, big band, ragtime, and swing with the exaggerated energy of vintage cartoon soundtracks. The game, created by Studio MDHR and released in 2017, deliberately presents its world in the style of hand-drawn cartoons from the golden age of animation.
The game’s soundtrack, composed and performed by a large ensemble of jazz musicians, reinforces the early 20th-century aesthetic through lively rhythms, colourful orchestration, and a strong sense of theatricality. The result is music that feels both nostalgic and fresh, recreating the exuberant sound of an earlier era while accompanying a distinctly modern video game.
This arrangement, for extended big band, is intended for educational purposes only.
Cover artwork by Studio MDHR.
