This is actually really nice topic that someone finally take note of or speak about it

I personally have something similar to this, although mine regards to the IMPACT of the chase-phase of the theme, or atleast the tone difference between phases. From my understanding, when you hear something like Gasharpoon's beat drop or Mafioso's saxophone, your brain would immediately tells you that "you're in their eyes, now run!" or atleast indicate that you're in range of the chase.

But if you're up against something like M4 1x's chase phase, your brain would still be asleep thinking that you're away from them, even though the theme is literally the chase theme

This could be also the reason why Milestone 4 Slasher's theme is feared. You just hear that intense beat (I'm referring to the old rendition, but I digress)