Lies of P is stressful. It’s hard. You’re constantly dodging mechanical monstrosities in the rain-slicked streets of Krat, wondering if that puppet around the corner is going to gut you. But then, you find a record. You head back to Hotel Krat, walk over to that gramophone, and suddenly, the Victorian horror melts away into some of the most beautiful, haunting music ever put into a Soulslike.
Records in Lies of P aren't just collectibles. They aren't just there to pad out a trophy list or give you something to do between boss fights. They are the literal heartbeat of the game’s "Humanity" system. If you want the best ending—the one that actually feels earned—you need to listen to these things. Seriously. Sit down. Stop running. Just listen.
How Records in Lies of P Actually Work
Most players realize pretty early on that lying is the core mechanic of the game. You lie to a grieving mother about her baby, or you tell a dying man his wife loved him, and your heart glows. "Your springs are reacting," the game tells you. But sitting through an entire vinyl record? That’s where the real Humanity points are hidden.
You can't just start a record and run away to talk to Eugénie. You have to stay in the Hotel. You have to let the track play from the first crackle of the needle to the final silence. If you leave or teleport, it doesn't count. It's a test of patience that mirrors the protagonist's journey toward becoming a real boy. Think about it. A machine doesn't appreciate melody. A machine doesn't feel the melancholy in a cello solo. Only a human does.
The Tracks You’ll Probably Miss
There are 16 records in total. Some are easy. You find "Feel" by helping out Weeping Woman in Elysion Boulevard. It’s a gorgeous, trip-hop-adjacent track that sets the tone for the entire experience. But others? They’re locked behind some of the most obscure or heartbreaking choices in Krat.
Take "Shadow Flower," for example. You don't just find it lying on a crate. You get it from Sophia, but only if you make a very specific, very heavy choice regarding her fate at the end of the Arche Abbey. Or look at "Far East Princess." You have to finish Alidoro’s questline, and honestly, most people want to kill that guy the moment they meet him. But if you don't follow the steps—deciphering the cryptic vessel and talking to Eugénie—you’ll never hear that track.
The game forces you to engage with the NPCs on a level that most action games don't require. You aren't just checking boxes; you're witnessing the slow, agonizing collapse of a society. The music reflects that.
Why "Feel" Still Hits the Hardest
The first record most people get is "Feel." It’s performed by Seo Jayeong, and it’s honestly incredible. It’s the kind of song you’d expect to hear in a high-end lounge, not a game about murdering clockwork dolls.
The lyrics talk about waiting and the passage of time. When you play it for the first time in the Hotel, the contrast is jarring. Outside, there’s blood and oil. Inside, there’s this soulful voice telling you it’s okay to stop for a second. That’s the brilliance of the records in Lies of P. They provide a sanctuary.
The Golden Records and New Game Plus
If you think you’re done after one playthrough, you aren't. Not even close. Lies of P hides "Golden" versions of the records in New Game Plus (NG+). These aren't just duplicates. They are sold by the wandering merchants you encountered in your first run, but they carry a different weight.
Collecting these is mandatory if you’re a completionist aiming for the "Golden Melody" trophy. But more than that, hearing the variations of tracks like "Quixotic" or "Proposal, Flower, Wolf Part 1" adds a layer of depth to the world-building. It suggests a cycle. A repetition of the tragedy that has befallen Krat.
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- Fascination (Golden): Found at the Wandering Merchant in the Opera House in NG+.
- Shadow Flower (Golden): Picked up near the Lorenzini Arcade merchant.
- Someday: This one is a bit of a pain, usually bought from the merchant near the Malum District.
The game doesn't hand these to you. You have to hunt them. You have to explore the corners you skipped when you were too busy panicking about the Green Monster of the Swamp.
The Truth About the Humanity System
There is a huge misconception that you can just "lie your way" to the best ending. While lying is a big part of it, the records in Lies of P are often the "top-off" you need to reach the "Grey Hair" stage of transformation.
I’ve seen players get to the final choice with Geppetto and realize they can't refuse him. Why? Because they didn't have enough Humanity. They skipped the side quests. They didn't listen to the music. They stayed a puppet.
When you listen to a record for the first time, you get that message: "You feel warmth." That's the game's way of saying your internal "P-Organ" is evolving. It’s a subtle, brilliant way to tie a collectible to the actual narrative outcome of the game.
A Technical Masterpiece in Sound Design
Round8 Studio didn't just license some random tracks. The soundtrack, including the collectible records, was meticulously crafted. They utilized a variety of genres—from classical and operatic to indie-pop and folk.
The record "Why" has this haunting, ethereal quality that makes the hair on your arms stand up. Then you have "Misty E'ra," which feels more grounded, almost like a folk song sung in a pub that no longer exists. The sheer variety keeps the Hotel from feeling stagnant. You can change the "vibe" of your hub world just by swapping out the vinyl.
The Mystery of "Misty E'ra"
You get this one by completing the quest for the Cecile in the St. Frangelico Cathedral. It’s easy to miss. If you kill the boss before returning her holy mark, she’s gone. You lose the record. You lose the Humanity. This is why Lies of P is so punishing; it doesn't just punish your reflexes, it punishes your lack of attention to detail.
How to Maximize Your Records Collection
If you're looking to grab everything in a single go (well, as much as possible before NG+), you need to be meticulous.
- Talk to everyone. If an NPC has a quest, do it immediately.
- Read the letters. Sometimes a record is a reward for finishing a story arc that starts with a simple note.
- Listen immediately. Don't hoard them. As soon as you get back to the Hotel, put the record on. You need those Humanity points early to unlock certain dialogue options later.
- Don't kill NPCs. It sounds obvious, but some players get aggressive. Killing an NPC usually locks you out of their specific record.
The records in Lies of P are the soul of the game. They turn a dark, mechanical world into something deeply personal. Next time you find a piece of vinyl in a dusty chest or as a gift from a dying friend, don't just shove it in your inventory. Go home. Wind up the gramophone. Let the music play.
To ensure you don't miss the most critical tracks, double-check your progress with the cryptic vessels. Often, the path to a record starts with a picture of a location you've already visited. Re-exploring solved areas with new items is the only way to find hidden gems like "Memory of Beach." This specific track requires you to give the cure to Antonia and then check her chair after a certain late-game event. It's easy to overlook, but it's one of the most emotional beats in the entire story. Focus on finishing Antonia's and Eugénie's arcs specifically, as they provide the most narrative-heavy records in the game.