To understand the Persona 5 Original Soundtrack , one must first understand the artistic pivot of Shoji Meguro. For previous entries in the Persona series (specifically Persona 3 and Persona 4 ), Meguro leaned heavily into J-Pop and pop-rock influences. Persona 3 was defined by its melancholic, rap-infused hip-hop, while Persona 4 embraced a brighter, optimistic pop sound.

In the spring of 2017, the Western world was finally introduced to the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. Persona 5 was more than just a video game release; it was a cultural event. After years of delays and anticipation, Atlus delivered a Role-Playing Game (RPG) that redefined the genre’s aesthetic standards. While the cel-shaded visuals and the "take your heart" narrative captivated millions, there was an invisible force driving the player through the twisted corridors of Kamoshida’s castle and the neon-lit streets of Shibuya: the music.

Unlike many game soundtracks that rely on instrumental ambience, Persona 5 uses lyrical tracks extensively, even during standard gameplay. This was a bold design choice. Typically, developers fear that vocal tracks can become repetitive or distract from the gameplay loop. However, Meguro understood that the lyrics would fade into the subconscious, acting as an emotional layer rather than a distraction.