What makes &Z by Hiroyuki Sawano notable?

The album gained significant attention within the anime music community and showcased Sawano's signature style that blends orchestral elements with modern electronic influences. Notably, the track &Z became a fan favorite, enhancing its status through various anime openings and contributing to the resurgence of orchestral music in contemporary Japanese media. When &Z was released in 2015, Hiroyuki Sawano was already established as a prominent composer known for his work on anime soundtracks. This album followed his successful scores for series like Attack on Titan and Kill la Kill, marking a period where he began to further explore his musical identity beyond traditional anime compositions.

&Z works well if you're into cinematic soundscapes for immersion, emotive vocals for deep connection and short bursts of orchestral drama.

How many songs are on &Z?

&Z has 7 tracks, running approximately 26 minutes.

&Z

Hiroyuki Sawano · 2015

26 min · 7 tracks · electronic music

A rich tapestry of orchestral arrangements and electronic beats intertwines with emotive vocals, creating a cinematic soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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&Z — &Z stands out for its dynamic range, seamlessly merging powerful orchestration with intricate electronic elements, embodying Sawano's signature style.
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No differences [nZk ver.] — This track features an impactful vocal performance that captures the emotional depth of the narrative, making it relatable to listeners.
→
aLIEz [mZk ver.] — With its haunting melody and dramatic build-up, this track exemplifies the tension and emotional weight characteristic of Sawano’s work.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

cinematic soundscapes for immersion
emotive vocals for deep connection
short bursts of orchestral drama
intense moments of emotional release

Maybe skip if you

seeking long album experiences
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context: When &Z was released in 2015, Hiroyuki Sawano was already established as a prominent composer known for his work on anime soundtracks. This album followed his successful scores for series like Attack on Titan and Kill la Kill, marking a period where he began to further explore his musical identity beyond traditional anime compositions.
Stylistic neighbors: Yuki Kajiura· Kevin Penkin· Hiroshi Yoshimura

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

&Z

The refrain shifts between hope and despair, mirroring the internal conflict present throughout the song's narrative arc.

This duality enhances the emotional impact by contrasting uplifting melodies with darker lyrical themes, reflecting a complex character journey.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 &Z 4:41
2 0.vers 5:29
3 No differences [nZk ver.] 4:39
4 aLIEz [mZk ver.] 4:04
5 &Z (TV size) 1:33
6 &Z (TV size -English ver.-) 1:34
7 &Z (instrumental) 4:40

What to play next

Listen next

Remember

2019

Go back to

BEST OF VOCAL WORKS [nZk]

2015

Full Hiroyuki Sawano discography Artists like Hiroyuki Sawano

anime song

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata