Random-storykeeper's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[omnipresent (AIM 2023)]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

What this entry excels at is being able to convey ominous emotions with a sense of awe and beauty in a way that feels coherent and very specific to the art it's inspired by. There's a lot of heightened tension heard in the chord choices and I think parts of the sound design (like the higher, almost angelic voices provide a really soft and beautiful undertone to the piece.

I also love how the second section takes on a more melodic approach in contrast to the more rhythmic and intensive first section. The biggest obstacle that prevents me from really loving this entry is that I don't feel like these two sections connect with each other that well. I know you were unable to continue working on this for a few weeks, so I appreciate that you were at least able to finish and submit the piece. To me, unfortunately, this does feel like two different tracks slapped together and I think this has a lot more to do with the way these ideas transition into one another and not so much the ideas in the sections themselves.

Personally, I believe that having the connecting glue start at 1:29 with (basically) the exact same setup as the intro made this piece feel like it was resetting everything it built up and went through. Just curious, but when making this track, did you try to remove the repeat of the intro and jump straight to 1:52? I actually like this part of the transition section a lot; it's similar to the ideas from the intro but isn't exactly the same as it and that would have been more effective of a transition to the next different idea. The lost time could be used to develop the main sections, particularly that second section - which while I love, feels like it just ends before it can get good.

Overall, I think this entry has a lot of neat ideas and I think there is potential to develop it further. I do feel like this entry could have at least been 4-6 minutes if more time were spent on each of the main sections, but for what it is, I think you struck a balance in how you conveyed emotion in the track that shows a clear connection to the art.

WakerLink responds:

Thank you for your review! I want to mention first of all that I fully agree about the two sections not meshing very well together, and that's my biggest regret with the track as a whole. I had zero ideas on how to continue the first section due to still having inexperience with the genre (and high BPM also doesn't make meeting the necessary minimal length paletable), which led to not touching the projects fot weeks. I wanted to at least finish it, so I *had* to sit down and work on it before the uni shitstorm began (aka course paper deadline and exams), which led to a somewhat disappointing outcome, at least for me, because the second section is definitely very rushed.

That brings up to the transition, and honestly, no, I have not tried that, since I thought that putting the intro pads again would make the transition from one scale to another more intuitive, but now that I listen to it again, I could totally cut the reused intro pads and go straight into the chords at 1:52, that's a very good point and I agree with your arguments regarding it.

Also, as I expressed earlier, I highly doubt that I could stretch the ideas over to 4-6 minutes due to having literally nothing click while trying it out, but I do appreciate that you see such potential in what there is so far. Once again, thank you for your review, and good luck with judging the rest of AIM!

[AIM23 - Forgotten Civilization]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

I enjoyed the composition a lot in this track, particularly in how well it is structured and paced. That bassline hitting those last 3 sixteenth notes, that melody line with the guitar sound worked very well off each other. The arrangement feels simple, with mostly the guitar and bass with those arps coming up in the background in later phrases, and I think that and the sound design help to evoke that sense of being up there in outer space, which works given the art inspiration.

On the other hand, I think with simplicity comes a chance to focus on how to shape the sound, production-wise. Throughout the piece, we are mostly hearing these same parts and sounds come in and come out and I think there could have been more done to really play around with how these sounds enter and take form each time they are re-introduced. Perhaps playing a little with delay or an automated filter sweep cutting off the higher frequencies and gradually bringing them back in as the same arp continues playing. These are just examples of course, but the idea is that there are many ways to shape and colour the sounds we hear while maintaining more or less the same composition. I did hear a bit of this in 1:29 where the arps fade in rather than just entering in the next phrase, so think more on that regard for other lines in the texture or how these can be altered while said line is still playing.

Overall, I think this is a pretty good entry, and the bassline makes this feel like a driving piece. I feel like I should be taking a spaceship on a light cruise around the vast expanse of outer space when I hear this.

Dynamic0 responds:

Thanks for the judge review!

I didn't think about the arps much, perhaps I was supposed to. I don't know how to modify effects mid-song on my digital workstation, maybe it's not possible at all.

[AIM - Harmonic Dispersion]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

If I ranked all entries by replayability, I would put this at the very top for the sole reasons that it's catchy and it also just feels so good to listen to. When I put this on, for the time that I listen, it's comforting but in a more energetic sort of way. Compared to your "Skypunks" entry last year, I think this one is more well put together in terms of structure and flow and it was a great idea to use the intensity of the instruments to create varied timbral changes while keeping the same ideas dispersed throughout.

I really like the play between the sections involving the piano playing the melody and the following sections later on in the piece with chippier instruments and a little more buzz. It was a nice way to add some interesting timbral changes while still maintaining cohesion between the melodic ideas. I mean this piece basically just repeats the same sort of melody with slight changes as it progresses, but it's one that I love and want to hear and the simplicity allowed this melody to really showcase itself.

Although I find your interpretation of "harmonic" to be interesting, I wonder if there was an opportunity to truly utilize the meaning of the title, such as adding harmonies to the bells or parts of the melody line. Or, as a challenge, find a way to make use of overtones in certain instruments and have those come through. The absence of these elements didn't ruin my enjoyment of the piece, but if I had one suggestion for it, taking advantage of the title would be it.

There's something quite warm, cozy and wholesome about the sound design and composition that I think captures my impression of the character in the art (I'm not familiar with Splatoon or this character at all). It's bubbly, but in a way that makes you want to hug the character.

Overall, this was another wonderful entry that I'll definitely be playing long after this compo is over. Amazing work!

LordAndiso responds:

:) I am very happy to hear such a long analysis of my entry. I was not familiar with the character as well when I saw the drawing :D Thank you :))

[AIM 2023 - a glimpse]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

The guitaring in this is solid. I like the transition at the beginning from the slower somber section to the harder-hitting chords. The jam session style structure captures that sort of angst and confusion connected to youth and teenage years. There is a nice subtle melody line at 1:10 that I would have loved to hear come up in a later section. I also like the way the guitar chugs go into that continuous sort of groove at 2:27, especially when the chords change towards the end of that section.

In terms of this entry's connection with its art inspiration, I struggle to find a lot of connection between the music and the art. It feels more like this entry was inspired by the songs from your teenage years and the art ended up being secondary instead. If we were to interpret the character's emotions and the mismatch of reflections, then I think there is a case to be made, but it feels like there's too many steps to even get to a connection that is generous at best.

Unfortunately, this piece comes across as not really being inspired by the art at all. If that's not the case, I'd love to hear more about why this art was chosen over any other piece from carmine3 or any other Newgrounds artist in general. What makes this music inspired by the art?

Overall, this entry is fine - a little too loose on the structure (not really a fan of how it just abruptly ends especially after that strong opening) but it seems on par with most of your other AIM guitar pieces. I hope your fingers and wrists got the rest they deserve!

[AIM - Sun Diver]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

Out of the two entries you submitted for this year's AIM, I found this one to be the slow burn (no pun intended), where it was okay on first listen but after subsequent listens, I was all in. I think this track is incredibly well put together, especially in the composition and the sound design. The melody just manages to capture the feeling of being up in the air while the buzzier, lower instruments provide a sense of the ground below and these two elements working together help create the right amount of movement in the right direction with just the right atmosphere given the inspiration.

I also like how the piece is structured. The progression flows so naturally and even when that recurring melody is not present in the track, I feel like I'm enjoying the sections in between and not just waiting for the melody to return. What I especially love is that 3-note bell transition at 2:25 into the softer section with the main melody. The way this entire section enters, plays out and goes back into being more louder is amazingly executed. I love those vocal-like sounds (not sure if they're actual vocals or not) that sweep in during the quiet section like at 2:41.

If I had to nitpick one thing, I feel like the melody going back into the third section sounds like it's fumbling a little, especially at 3:02 where it sounds like an E and F are playing at the same time and it's dissonant in a way that doesn't seem intentional. I'm not sure if this was supposed to be a grace note, but it definitely sticks out.

Overall, I'm very impressed by this entry and it is one of my most favourites from you in any AIM where I got to hear your work. This and "-Dream Island-" are both S-tier in my book.

Preds responds:

Thank you so much for this detailed and awesome review!

Glad you liked the progression of the song, I felt that it was the weakest or one of the weakest points of this one, and definitely the one thing I struggled with the most (apart from the ever changing instrumentation, which lead to nightmarish mastering sessions), so it's really a relief coming from you, thanks.

And yeah, that melody at 3:02 is a cluster of weird detuned synths, sync leads and pads, maybe something slipped in there but I'm almost sure it was intentional, I'll work on those imperfections next time tho!

Thank you so much again! Glad you also remember that crappy old track as well hehe, I appreciate it :D

[AIM - Environments 2D]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

I feel like this entry manages to capture the nighttime city aesthetic of the art in a liminal space that exists between the familiar and strange. The textures and layering are the piece's strong points, which is further emphasized through the sound design. I can also hear a lot of attention to detail in the production - the way the instruments are panned and set in the mix feel just right.

There is a sense of randomness to the track, but the throughline with the continuum played by the rhodes in the beginning helps to bring cohesiveness while the other layers feel slightly improv. Again, it feels like it's towing the line between the tangible and the abstract. and I feel like that reflects the art's loosely sketched lines paired with the colours and the shapes of familiar real-world things.

One thing I also enjoyed was the way in which sections flow into each other. At the start, the rhodes keep pace, but towards the end, there's a quick cut at 2:12 to this soft, padded section that really worked for me, especially paired against that slap bass and the percussiveness in its sound. The way that section builds up towards the end was easily my favourite part.

Even though I think the length for this track feels just right, I could have easily listened to it go on for 2 more minutes. Overall, I think this is an awesome entry that gets a lot from many replays to really focus on the different layers and the way they interact and flow through one another.

Cresince responds:

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review!

The different perspectives on my music I get from these contests are really great. I'm glad that my approach of ambiguity and structure was felt through the music. If I were to describe my idea towards creating this track, it would be like dropping water on a painting, and seeing the colors bleed together. That's one of the many things I wanted to convey with this city and art.

[AIM - sweetheart]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

There's something very touching about this piece. The chord progression and instruments, paired with the bird sounds, provide a sense of brightness along with a hint of innocence and I believe that reflects the lighting and the subject of the image quite well. I love the textures brought in from the synths - it's very much a vibe sort of piece but every layer being added brings just the right amount of flow.

My only main issue is with the sound of the kick. It could also be the mixing too, but the way it sits just doesn't feel right compared to the warmth and comfort from the other instruments. Personally, I think the kick could have been a bit lower and softer - it just felt too high and loud to the point where it detracted from this otherwise lovely atmosphere that the other instruments and composition are creating. Even the cymbals are kind of loud when they're introduced, but they do seem to be more balanced once the kick comes in (though I wonder if that's just because the kick is so much louder).

On subsequent listens, I also believe this piece could have been developed a little more, especially given that it only just hits the 3 minute mark (2:48 if the tail end is taken off). I still do think the general structure works effectively, but given that it's a piece that relies a bit more on the atmosphere and just being in the moment, I felt like that melody introduced toward the end could have carried on into another idea or section instead of just winding down after the 2:27 mark.

Overall, I think you did a wonderful job with the composition and instrument choice that complements the innocence and brightness of the art, but also feels a tad poignant under the chipper dreaminess. I'm particularly in love with the high chiptune arps that are introduced at 1:24.

[AIM - The Child of the Moon]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

In the description, you show an in-depth understanding of the narrative you're trying to accomplish in this entry and I think there's a lot of it that comes through in the music. Orchestral and dubstep and generally two very clashing genres, but the way they come together here feels very organic and the transitions between them feel natural. It's a great choice narratively to showcase the transformation of this moonlit forest at night into a perilous journey.

When the dubstep drop kicks in, I think it helps a lot that the melody from the orchestral section carries over and that overwhelming wall of sound almost feels very bright with all the higher notes while maintaining that intensity. The drop feels very tall, and the entire piece overall does feel very forest-like and whimsical in nature.

Where this piece loses me most is in its structure, particularly in its repetition towards the end. If the intention of the entry was to capture a story, I feel like we should hear more of that reflected in the later sections of the track, especially once 3:42 hits. There might be more of an opportunity to take familiar ideas and transform them in a way that doesn't feel like the track is just restarting. Whether that be to change certain notes within the chord that slightly alter the emotion or adding in an extra layer that changes the rhythm, I think this entry really needed something towards the end to really drive the narrative home.

Overall, I'm impressed with how well you transitioned between your quieter and intensive sections. I love the low solo piano note that closes out the section before the drop first heard around 1:36.

[AIM - Windmills]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

I think this entry, compositionally, captures the grand outdoor landscape reflected in the art. The choice of piano, strings and timpani work well off each other to create an atmosphere that is uplifting with slightly melancholy undertones. I especially love that piano melody playing in 4/4 with the underlying string instrument that sounds like it's playing a 3/4 layer. The delay in hearing the string reach the strong beats helps to add that overall motion while setting the scene.

The one thing that held me back from fully enjoying this piece was the execution of the production and the dynamics. I wasn't hearing a lot of phrasing that would have helped to finetune the way the piece builds and flows. The piano also sounds a bit too thin and MIDI to really hold its own as a bass note and counteracts the composition and structure working to evoke such grandiose feelings.

I also would have liked to hear another layer that more closely complements the lower percussive piano notes the same way the piano melody and strings play off each other. When they were introduced, the repeating piano notes were fine, but as the piece progresses, it feels like there could have been more done to ensure they don't stick out so much.

Overall, I can tell this entry was very closely inspired by its art and I like the way the repeating melody progresses.