Each year, with each new generation of Galaxy devices, “Over the Horizon” is rearranged to mirror the aesthetic transformation of the devices themselves. For 2018, Samsung reached out to Icelandic composer Pétur Jónsson to reimagine the melody.

Delicately layering instruments, Jónsson’s minimalist arrangement takes you away on an atmospheric journey of discovery. The piece begins with the soft tones of a single piano playing the refrain. As additional instruments are gradually introduced, the sound rises to a crescendo before melting away. As the video cuts away from the opening scene of Jónsson at the piano, it prompts you to imagine travelling over the remote Icelandic countryside. Capturing the beauty of Nordic nature, the camera pans over misty mountains and jagged cliffs, steaming geysers and snow-blanketed hills.

Listening to this year’s piece by Jónsson, you will find that the notes arouse the most pure, fundamental elements of the human sentiment that often remain hidden in our daily lives. In this way, the latest version of Samsung’s brand sound has the power to relax the mind and heal the soul, thus resonating with all who hear it, regardless of their age.

Get a first listen of Jónsson’s version of “Over the Horizon” in the video below.

Don’t be surprised if, the next time you’re with friends and they receive a call on their Galaxy Note8, you find yourself asking them to pump up the volume.

That’s because Samsung has outfitted its latest flagship device with an exclusive set of ring- and notification tones that feature catchy, modern beats. The S Pen-inspired ‘pen and beat’ playlist includes three ringtones and two alerts composed by a gifted young ‘pen beater’, a world-class beatboxer and an acclaimed musician and producer.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note8 features S Pen-inspired ring- and notification tones created with the help of (from left) a world-class beatboxer, ‘pen beater’ and producer

A Kinetic Collaboration

Musical inspiration comes easily to Jinyoung Choi, whose popular ‘pen beating’ videos spotlight a fresh and inventive way to use pens as outlets for creativity.

Fourteen-year-old pen beater Jinyoung Choi (left) and professional beatboxer 2 Tak have risen to fame in their native Korea for their unique, kinetic sounds

Jinyoung transforms the relatively simple action of tapping pens on a table into a nuanced form of musical expression, deftly utilizing each part of the writing instruments – the cap, body and tip – to produce a variety of sounds. The 14-year-old’s energetic pen beating videos have racked up millions of views online, and earned him a global following.

*Sounds recorded during this session were used to compose the Note8’s ‘pen and beat’ ring and notification tones

To complement Jinyoung’s kinetic sound, Samsung enlisted the help of professional beatboxer and rapper 2 Tak, and placed the dynamic duo in a studio with famed musician and producer Tucker, aka Tadashi Takatsuka.

*Sounds recorded during this session were used to compose the Note8’s ‘pen and beat’ ring and notification tones

In Tucker, Samsung found the perfect supervisor for its ‘pen and beat’ collaboration. Not only does he have extensive experience composing distinctive sounds for some of the world’s top brands, he’s also produced more than 30 albums, and hosted a TV show in his native Japan that showcased inventive ways to create music.

Famed producer and musician Tucker has produced more than 30 albums, and hosted a TV show in his native Japan that showcased inventive ways to create music

A Signature Soundtrack

Each of the collaborating artists brings to the table a diverse set of skills that, when harmonized, create sounds that are reflective of multifaceted millennials.

Before they went about composing the new tracks, the artists were asked to consider the types of sounds they’d like to introduce as ringtones. The synthesis of their respective talents – 2 Tak’s melodic beatboxing, Tucker’s instrumentals and Jinyoung’s dynamic pen beating – produced three unique, head-bumping ringtones, titled “Bubble Beat”, “Happy Jungle” and “Kitchen Mix”. Each song is as fresh and energetic as it is distinct.

The trio’s Galaxy Note8 notification sounds are called “Beatbox” and “Pen Beats”, and feature punchy and pleasant solos from the two performing artists. Grab your earphones and give the new tones a listen.

The Galaxy Note8’s ‘pen and beat’ playlist is not only thoroughly inventive and easy on the ears, it’s also a fun and engaging expression of the flagship’s ability to foster users’ creativity.