AFC Club Anthems
AFC, The Sound Of A New Era
Client: AFC
Roles: Sonic Strategy, Sonic Branding, Music Composition
Category: Sonic Branding
Year: 2024
Molecular Sound was commissioned by the Asian Football Confederation to create new anthems and sonic logos for its 2024 rebrand, our most ambitious sonic branding project to date.
The Brief
The AFC, football's governing body across 47 member nations, was restructuring its men's club competitions into three tiers, the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League, while launching a brand new AFC Women's Champions League. The brief: compose new anthems and sonic logos for every competition, each distinct but united by one cohesive sound across the AFC brand.
How We Made It
Musicians from across the AFC's member nations helped bring the anthems to life, with live strings and brass recorded in Sydney and a 102-voice choir recorded in Colombo, giving every competition a sound with real scale and heart.
We composed unique melodies for each league, serving as their core sonic logos, while maintaining a cohesive sound across the AFC brand. Collaborating with musicians from AFC regions, we recorded live strings and brass in Sydney and a 102-voice choir in Colombo, amplifying the anthems' dynamic and grand qualities.
AFC Champions League Elite
An anthemic, premium sound that blends contemporary production with a full orchestral hybrid, reflecting the excitement and grandeur of Asia's top club competition. Built at 96 BPM in D minor, the track moves through ebbs and flows toward a climactic finale. A five note melody, the competition's sonic logo, threads through the anthem and returns at its close. Instrumentation includes live choir, live strings, live brass, synths and electronic percussion.
Listen to the Sound
AFC Women's Champions League
Made to empower and uplift while staying strong and energetic, this identity pairs percussive, exciting production with orchestral elements that feel fresh and premium. A choir of strong female voices reflects the power and ambition of the competition. At 97 BPM in D minor, a six note melody runs through the anthem and returns at its close as the competition's sonic logo. Instrumentation includes a live choir of female voices, live strings, live brass, synths and electronic percussion.
Listen to the Sound
AFC Champions League Two
A dynamic, fast-paced collection of assets with a contemporary edge, built to represent the competitiveness and intensity of the competition. Super percussive production embodies the energy of the game and the drive to move forward in the sport. At 100 BPM in Bb minor, a three note melody runs through the anthem and returns at its close as the competition's sonic logo. Instrumentation includes synths, electronic percussion and hybrid orchestral elements.
Listen to the Sound
AFC Challenge League
A fresh, contemporary sound built to represent the future of football. The melody escalates throughout the track, mirroring the growth and development taking place both on and off the pitch. At 140 BPM in D minor, a six note key melody runs through the anthem and returns at its close as the competition's sonic logo. Instrumentation includes synths, electronic percussion and sampled voices.
Listen to the Sound
Three new club competitions. One brand new Women's Champions League. A single sonic identity connecting 47 nations.
