Just what it says. No categories, no gimmicks, ZUN-made themes only. It might be hard to pick just 10, but after all, this year is Touhou's anniversary, and it's a good reason to look back at all the music and choose your favourites from all that time.
I'll start myself, of course. I find many themes to be very good, but select few are always above all others for me. I like them not because they play at a certain point in a game, but as standalone pieces. That's what unites all my top 10 themes.
10. Demystify Feast
This one always surprised even myself. It's a theme that's not connected to a character or a stage, yet I took note of it ever since I heard it. I guess it has just the right mix of power and playfulness. Also, a fun fact. At first I couldn't remember its name for some reason, and used a nickname for it. You ready to hear it? Hopeless Masquerade. Yep. TH13.5 wasn't even in development yet.
9. Scarlet Symphony ~ Scarlet Phoneme
I'm not a fan of PC-98 instruments, but this theme manages to use them in a way I really like. The melody itself may seem repetitive, but the theme changes constantly. I can't catch the loop point for it, and that makes it sound like it's endless. Very good move.
8. The Mystery in Your Town
Soft and pleasant, it also has a lot of energy hidden underneath its peacefulness. It's relaxing and inspiring at the same time. Also, it heavily uses one of my most favourite instruments - that sort-of cracking percussion.
7. Romantic Escape Flight
The theme sounds like it has several leading instruments that each play their own, independent thing. And yet together they make a beautiful song as a result. This always gives me an image of a few proud and independent youkai that gathered together and are having fun in the moonlight. Each is doing their own thing, but the result is beautiful as a whole.
6. UFO Romance in the Night Sky
This theme is all about playfulness. That giggle near the start is especially cute. The usage of voice-like instruments is also great. Suffice to say that this theme alone gave me a soft spot for Nue, even though I don't really like tricksters.
5. Desire Drive
This theme sounds very nostalgic. It's famous for how easy it translates to 8-bit sound chips. And 8-bit is my childhood. Don't laugh, but it sounds like something from Battletoads. Being both relaxing and driving also helps.
4. Fall of Fall ~ Autumnal Waterfall
I know MoF stage 3 is usually considered the most beautiful one, but for me it's stage 4. That goes for music themes as well. It's this theme that represents the beauty of autumn for me. It also goes well with images of running water. Not only the obvious waterfalls, but also mountain rivers and even rains. For me, this theme is the music that always plays during autumn rains.
3. The Fantastic Tales from Tono
This theme must be a magic spell. It always cheers me up, no matter what. So much that I can even cry. That's all.
2. Spring Lane ~ Colorful Path
"Live to the full, hold nothing back." This is what this theme means for me. It calm and soft, but also strong and invigorating. Also, PoFV soundtrack is heavy on percussion, and it sounds too strong for some themes. Not this one. Here, it actually sounds like it belongs, giving it the driving force it needs. So that it can use all the power it can to show how beautiful life is.
1. Gensokyo Millennium ~ History of the Moon
If I had to pick a theme that shows all that Touhou is about, it's this one. It has everything - the six-note main theme loop, driving percussions, blaring ZUNpets, even piano improv section. It has parts for everything a Touhou final boss theme can be - high and epic, calm and peaceful, heavy and rocking. There's even a complicated intro. And since it's so complex, I can listen to it endlessly without tiring. Truly, this is the final theme among final themes. Both like and unlike it's name, it's the history of Gensokyo in one song.