Random-storykeeper's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[AIM - INEVITABLE]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

You do a fairly good job at building this track around a single idea. I like the combination of the light, high bells with that low acid bass. The faster high chords pair well with the repeating melodic bassline and I like how you build upon the intensity towards the end. The piece feels off-putting but it also manages to be quite flowy with those high bell sounds and given that the character in the art is also bleeding profusely, I think it is an appropriate enough fit.

The part of the track that didn't work for me was the drums. They just seem to enter in at the start and then suddenly leave, then come back again. It didn't feel like there was any rhyme or reason for them to be in the track and their sound just doesn't mix that well with the rest of the synths.

I also think this track could have explored its art inspiration a lot further. When I look at the art and its description, I read about a very harrowing scenario and I think this track was a missed opportunity to delve into that narrative and find ways to express that musically. I guess the idea behind this entry is that the repetition reflects how the "bleeding doesn't stop", though I think this art and the story behind the character provided a lot more in-depth grounds to form a very bleak and emotionally driven track. I'm not sure if that was taken into account here, but from what I hear, it didn't seem like that was the case.

Overall, I don't think the repetition is bad nor is that the issue. It's about how the repetition is used and the role it plays in the composition and the reflection of the art inspiration. This entry does at least have a sense of flow and its intensity shows that it was at least pointing in the right direction.

V1ZION responds:

I appreciate what you wrote. I will take all of this into account to make sure I do better in the future AIMs. Thank you so much! :3

[AIM - N0T A G4M3]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

It's amazing to see that this entry not only managed to get scouted, but also front-paged so close to the deadline. I know I said it before in the chat, but I thought it was worth another mention here. As for the entry itself, I think there's a lot of things I enjoy here. The choice of chiptune is fitting for this anthropomorphic computer character and I like that the recurring melody with the large leap and the smaller steps downward. The synths are a bit on the loud side, especially once we get to the quieter sections, but the louder sections feel like they're mixed decently enough.

With character art, I think a lot of the inspiration comes from how the characters are portrayed musically. This piece does a fairly good job at picking sounds and a composition that illustrate this character, but I think it could have gone a little further. The computer character being anthropomorphic feels like it would have been a great opportunity to humanize some aspects of the music, perhaps playing around with aspects of velocity, phrasing and/or imperfections in how the rhythms hit or how the notes are played. The caption within the image, "CHECK OUT THE MESS YOU MADE", also comes across a bit passive-aggressive, and I think this track could have conveyed that more in the melody. I think there might have been an attempt at it, but I didn't really find this track to be that strong enough to really characterize this individual other than them just being a computer. There's also a lot of glitchiness in the background and that was another chance to incorporate some glitch effects into the track.

Overall, I like what I'm hearing here - I just think there was more potential to have taken the characterization further in the music, especially given the elements present in the art. The melody was nice enough, but once it got to the later half of the piece, I just didn't feel like the repetition of these ideas was catchy enough for its recurrence to be warranted. However, I do think this piece nails the computer-like aspect of the art. The constant looping and sound design do make me think of a lightly pissed off machine and I think that works well enough to give the piece a decent amount of relevance to its art inspiration.

[Seafoam Sanctuary [AIM 2023]]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

A solo nylon guitar piece seems like a great match for this pleasant and warm scenic art inspiration. There's a warm comfort to the timbre and the recurring melody is used to good effect here, progressing to other ideas before returning to the "home" idea. It's nice to hear a bit of ornamentation in that main melody towards the end, which adds some satisfying variation while remaining cohesive.

The accompaniment generally seems to be repeating quarter notes and I think this makes the piece less interesting to engage with. The melody's phrases end on solid chords, so hearing that parallel in the rhythm just feels like the piece halts in its flow and I don't really think it works that well here. Even when the rhythms change with the lower solid chords, they pretty much just stay the same notes and rhythms and this melody is not really strong enough to stand on its own with an accompaniment that simple. Especially for a solo instrument about a sanctuary in what appears to be a tropical area, I would have loved to hear more flow to the rhythms and complexity in the textures, like moving arps as an accompaniment, perhaps rather than solid chords.

Overall, I think this entry has a pretty decent setup and a comforting enough sound. I like how the main melody jumps to the sevenths for the arps in the first part of its phrase, then in the second half, goes to the consonant notes and resolves, completing the phrase. It's simple, but it's suitable given the art inspiration.

[Melancholy Hill - Change (AIM 2023)]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

I love hearing the variety of metal tracks this year and I'm totally here for this introspective take on a thunderstorm. It seems like there was a lot of thought put into how these sections play out and I think everything really comes together to portray this passing of the storm. You get a lot of mileage out of this guitar-heavy piece - I feel like a lot of interesting ideas were being explored in the melody and using the guitar's growling, distorted sound is a great choice for a wailing thunderstorm. I especially like the section at 2:55 where the repeating notes go through phasing changes, which is a nice preceding section to the introduction of the piano.

The only issues that come to mind here have to do with the impact of the notes and the mixing of the drums. I feel like this track does not hit as hard as the composition makes it seem like and I believe a big part of it is that the drums. I think they definitely could have been louder, particularly the bass drum and snare, which feel present but not prominent. The other aspect is that in the beginning metal section from 1:11 to 2:55, I feel like those repeating notes could be a little more snappier (like the ones around the 1:44 mark for instance). It might be the background accompaniment or the notes being held a little too long, but I feel like the track loses a lot of energy from not having those notes cutting clean as they repeat and thus there's not a lot of impact when the repeating notes play.

Overall, I think you have the narrative structure down well in terms of portraying the storm. I really enjoyed the melodic starting section, particularly the little rising of that guitar note at 0:48-0:49 leading up to the start of the first harder-hitting section. I found it pretty intriguing how you describe this passing of the storm like a hill to climb, which to me was strange given how the art is showing what appears to be relatively flat land. I get the title of the collection and the climbing of the metaphorical hill as the overcoming of obstacles or challenges in life. It just seemed weird given that braving a storm also is a similar metaphor to what you're describing and would have been more appropriate to this concept and the art. Even the track seems to conclude a little similarly to how it started, with the ambience and the solemn melodic guitar. In the end, I still think this track does a good job at reflecting the art in motion and it still works in conjunction with its inspiration.

BBaNK responds:

You are a legend RSK! Thank you so much.

[ninetek]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

This is an entry in which I really would have loved to hear more about the process behind making it. When working with an art inspiration that seems so abstract, it would be interesting to know more about how you interpreted the work and how you think that reflects in the music.

As far as what I think about this piece's connection to its art inspiration, there are a lot of interesting things going on in the sound design and the texture amidst its repetitive loop pattern that feel like they're playing around with details without sounding too concrete. I like that the recurring idea is set up in a matter where the only way to resolve it is to repeat itself over and over. There also appears to be some timbral shifts in the instrument carrying this melody at around the 2:07 mark onwards - sounds like there's some filtering or distortion going on and I love how this gradual change affects the colouration of the track without being a melodic change.

This entry overall has a general sense of urgency and forward motion as it culminates to its third section. The struggle for me is that I don't really feel like this art has that sense of urgency or any sort of unsettling undertones. The reds are not as harsh and are more muted - it doesn't really seem as futuristic as the music (imo) implies. But that's not to say I don't understand the connection between the music and the art. I think the way the instruments shift in tone, the use of the chopped up vocal samples and the way the layers are placed or added/removed gives just enough discernibility like the shapes in the art. Everything is set up in a way that is tangible while also being strange and a little off-putting and I think that's a good approach to an abstract work of art that has "Untitled" in its name.

Hyenaedon responds:

Thanks for the review! You're spot on with the idea just repeating & playing around with the details, for trax like this i find it really difficult to do a 'normal' progression with a chorus or whatnot cause its more meditative if thats the right word.

As for the art link yea this time I very much took a more abstract approach in every aspect as during this time i was pretty drained out of ideas with a more cohesive narrative or idea so something that i could just feel my way through felt right. I was trawling the old art portal for hours and found a lot of cool things but this one just stood out as fitting as an album cover so I went with it and imagined what one of the trax would sound like. The one thing i couldve pushed more probably was the ssort of technology vs nature angle, which i kinda gleam from the art with all the sharp angles and buildings versus the mountain and sort of soft wool material. it's almost merged together so much that it is almost intangible and off-putting, like you said.

Anyways.. just wanna say thanks again for the thoughtful review, and for continuing to run AIM as it's always fun to do whenever i get the chance!

[AIM - Pick it up - Corrupt Module]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

The sounds you picked for this track are fitting and I like the use of distortion here to create a dark, murky atmosphere. For a piece with a lot of distortion, it's pretty easy on the ears and I think it helps that the distortion helps to enhance the melodic elements at play. There's definitely a futuristic vibe here, but it also feels so claustrophobic given how many of these thick instruments are in-your-face. I think this helps to convey the setting (as I see it) in the art inspiration - waking up trapped in a small dark room with a mysterious computer all alone and not knowing exactly where you are or why you're there. You just know that you have to escape.

I like the use of the pads at the beginning, particularly with how they seem to have this oscillation pattern to their volume. It makes me think of a computer fan whirring as a computer screen lights up. The whole intro is very good at setting the scene and the moment the drop hits, it feels like I'm crunching down trying to find my way out of this dystopian escape room.

I also thought it was neat how the synth line playing the melody is just a little off the strong beat sometimes. There are moments later in the track where it's clearly hitting on the strong 1, but at the start especially, the first note hits the strong beat while the rest are a little bit off or on a later beat within the bars. It gives the sense of uneasiness while the bassline continues its pattern after the drop like clockwork.

In the end, I like how the chords rising in at 2:50 come across as a callback to the intro amidst the newer ideas being introduced here. The melody being reintroduced in this airy higher voice evokes that sense of hopelessness I think you were referencing in your description. You try to escape, but it doesn't happen, and now you're stuck for life. Overall, this concept is well-executed and I like how the scene was set and played out based on the art.

[AIM // Sweeping]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

Despite this track's relatively short length, I felt like the structure was generally well-paced and flowed together quite cohesively. It's quite amazing given how drastically different that long intro is in contrast to the rest of the track. The intro gives off dreary and grey kind of vibes, but it works as a super dramatic, cinematic opening to the parts that follow.

It definitely helps that the piano is the connecting glue in the structure of this track and the way those pads fade out slightly and then back into the faster-paced section helps to bring it all together. I love the two-note piano rhythms paired with the chippy percussion. The crunchiness evokes the sounds of sweeping, complementing the back-and-forth motion of the piano chords. The best part is that soaring chiptune melody on top of these layers buzzing away like a bee.

I can picture a narrative related to the art inspiration, with the intro being this sort of start to the day as the sun begins to rise but the city is still sleepy. At 0:52, maybe this character starts the morning routine of sweeping. By the time we get to 1:58, it feels like the afternoon and perhaps the bee has moved onto other household cleaning chores. The part at 3:00 comes across as winding down and finishing up the chores for the day, especially with the slowing down of the tempo and dropping out layers of instruments. I like how the conclusion is not final, as if it signals that the job isn't done and there will be more work to do tomorrow. Overall, this entry is super cute and well constructed with a nice sound design to boot.

By the way, plagiarizing unintentionally is a relevant and understandable fear to have and something I do experience especially when composing with an idea I really love. As far as what I can hear, I didn't immediately think of any song that this entry would have ripped off. Even then, I believe there's a lot more to ripping off a track than just happening to share the same chord progression or even similarities in the melody, which usually seems to be what many look for in terms of rip-offs. This entry feels quite driven by the aesthetics of the art and perhaps a narrative surrounding it, so I would be surprised if it somehow completely ripped off another track.

littlbox responds:

Thank you for the in-depth review! I appreciate the breakdown of the track; it's good to hear how a piece comes across to others. And I'm glad to hear that the track probably isn't plagiarized hehe. :)

[Deep Sinker]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

Considering I've heard quite a few solo piano entries over my course of running AIM, I feel like it's amazing to hear one this compo that manages to be very emotionally moving. It helps that the art inspiration chosen is one that does fit well with the piano aesthetic - a focused and isolated image that is both beautiful and tragic at the same time. I also like that it was played live (or at least it sounds very humanized); the phrasing, dynamics and little "imperfections" in the tempo really help to enhance the tone of the image.

Composition-wise, I love the main hook heard at the beginning. Something about the way it ascends and hits what sounds like an augmented 4th chord and resolves on a 9th (my theory is so rusty lol) perfectly encapsulates that feeling of almost breaking but never hitting the surface of the water and instead, falling farther and farther away from it. I also hear some delays in the piano notes and I'm not sure if that was an added effect or you playing that live(?), but I think those delayed effects on the piano notes provide a shimmering sensation - it brightens up the image with just the right amount of musical "lighting".

Overall, I think it took me a few listens to really appreciate the craftsmanship behind the composition, but when it hits, it really does emotionally tug at the heartstrings. I don't want to say that complex chord progressions automatically make a piece more emotionally complex, but I think the way in which it's done in this entry just hits the right spot. The whole piece evokes the sense of hanging in the balance - it's got this immersive, everything-looms-above-you sort of feeling and it makes me feel like I'm the person in that image.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Hiii! So sorry for the big delay in replying, including to your message a month ago. I won't be by the computer I composed this on for a couple of weeks, but I'll try my best to get you what you need, when I can...

Wow! I'm very impressed by your analysis :O
As for the delayed notes, it gets confusing, because I played some of them, whereas some are added through a combination of effects I was using, to get the underwater-feel!

It took longer than usual for me, this year, to find art that really inspired me. I am so happy I stumbled upon this one by JoaoVaz again! Thanks again ^ . ^

[Magical Rupture [AIM 2023]]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

I like how grand and cinematic this entry is. The structure clearly sets the scene and with the way each of the sections build and culminate, I really get the sense of this floating haven being created. The organ in the beginning instrumental with the choir captures the majestic beauty that feels closely connected with its art inspiration.

The biggest challenge that prevents me from fully enjoying this piece was also the structure, particularly how the track is set up versus its length. Even though the beginning ambient section was only a minute long, it still took up a third of the entry, leaving 2 minutes for the instrumentals. Composition-wise, it feels like the track is missing a climax that should come before the section at 1:30 - it's got a nice build from 1:00 leading up to that point and a nice section that feels like the cooling down from a climax, but it just doesn't feel like these two sections deliver that sort of impact they seemed to hint at.

I also don't think having two building sections that both suddenly cut to quieter parts works that well in this already short track. Despite that culmination and cut to the piano section a minute later at 2:30, it feels like the transition there is a lot more effective than the first one at 1:30. I like the ideas and how each instrumental section builds, but whenever I listen to this track, I just feel like something's missing to fully evoke the complete image for me.

Overall, I love the use of the instruments, especially the organ near the beginning and the piano at the very end. While I didn't like the transitions too much, I still like the way each individual section builds - it does capture that grand sense of this island being lifted into the sky. The outro at 2:29 seems to depict the details of the newly created island and it feels pretty and lush. It's a great way to conclude the whole track.

[A+B | Archdukes of the Machine]

AIM 2023 Judge Review

There's a lot of interesting elements at play here - a bit of softer ambience combined with some rhythmic and melodic elements. What stands out to me about this entry is that it's able to flow through the ambience and its grooves in a cohesive manner while still maintaining an unsettling feeling throughout. I love how the intro sound effect at 0:17 sounds like an engine whirring and then 12 seconds later, at 0:29, turns into this intriguing catchy loop. I don't know if these instruments are the same or similar sounding, but I think keeping to sounds that double both as sound effects and melodic instruments was a great choice.

The only sound that feels out of place in the mix is that high-pitched bell at 1:21. Every other instrument sounds so down low and hushed, so to hear something much higher and confident made it sharply stick out in a way that didn't feel like it fit in with the environment of the composition. I like the idea of introducing some highs; I just couldn't really get into the execution of it in this entry.

Aside from that, there's an unsettling atmosphere throughout the track that also manages to be engaging and I think that has largely to do with the shifts from melodic grooves to rhythmic ambience and playing around with the layers and tempo. It doesn't feel in-your-face horrific, which really does feel inspired by the art. I like the use of the discernible voices and sound effects, particularly that scream and the biting sound at 2:08 are the most disturbing parts that still fit in with the rest of the sounds at play here. Overall, I think you've created one of the most captivatingly quiet horror entries I've heard this AIM.

Anonymous-Frog responds:

Fair point: I'd like to soften that high pitched bell-sound down, but because there wasn't much time before the deadline, I left it as is.