Rekuiem's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Genre: Neurofunk - Title: Lightning Bug]

I like the rhythm and flow of this track a lot over all, but I think it could really use a stronger musical backing, the intonation and pitch really doesn't really cut through the mix. I think it is because the bass has so many overtones bleeding through, I can tell what it should be doing but it doesn't quite the land the way it wants to. I think that also may have led to issues with the trancey pluck that comes in from the start and onward, not always feeling the tone.

I gave four stars because of the rhythmic cohesion and overall structure to the track, because I can see a lot of potential in it. But it needs to really find its place musically, and hopefully with that you can find the space to layer in some really strong breakdowns and transitions.

Keep at it friend, this is a solid start.

PlasmaGlowMusic responds:

I'm happy that you noticed what I was doing with the bass frequencies XD it is something that I am doing that will set me apart from other styles, as my bass will feel different from others. :p It was done a little poorly here I agree, but I am happy with how it turned out in the end. I will definitely upload more content with more parts to the structure.

[RejSende - Winter Tales]

1:00 to 1:17 is easily my favorite part of the track enough to fall in love with it in a way. Made the section at 2:01 that much more enjoyable for me, love the way you reintroduce what you did earlier. This critique may be more applicable to the genre but I feel like everything has my ears teased for something to really hit in hard. Everything in this track works really well together, and you build off what you set up very well. Still though my ears crave this thing you tease at in all of this.

Awesome work.

Vimori responds:

Your support motivates me. Thank you for your wonderful review. I will try to do better)

[If You'd Only Listened For A While]

So glad I saw this in the thread, I've been stuck fucking killing myself destroying everything I wish I could believe in. and I heard this song, because of exactly (if you never listen how can I ever make you understand?)

The music and the lyrics all come together so well for what you are expressing here, and for me this is so much an exorcism of parts of me that will probably hang around still.

I love how it starts like breath in the air, and has a huge wall of sound, I hope you never get discouraged by people who tell you that music like this takes effort to appreciate because, everything about this is worth listening to for me.

RedSoul92 responds:

It's amazing to think that I wrote this song in 2013 and took this long to actually put it together, but seeing now how it's being received I understand good things take time.

[Imminence]

I'm always trepidation when I enter a cinematic score, so often they just do the bare minimum of evoking the tropes to serve a function but this really has a character. You have some really nice talent, this is really awesome. I want this in the next metal gear game! This is some really nice music the use of the synths really carry that melody and every note is on point, I can really get into the cut, and the tone without feeling like I'm being pulled and it phrases into the intro, awesome, it looped while I was writing this and I didn't even notice at first. I love the use of dynamics, it really builds up well the crescendo at about 50 seconds is probably one of the best part. It's always great to see passion like this.

I wish more cinematic composers put this level of care into their productions, this is better than a lot of AAA games and movies. This is real. Great stuff man. All of the stars.

Step responds:

Oh man, this review made my day! Really glad you like it, and that you're especially happy with the fact that its style is pretty unorthodox too. The Metal Gear comment particularly got to me since I am a huge fan of Metal Gear... maybe some of it even rubbed off on this track, who knows! I'm also relieved that you found the loop seamless, since I kind of suck at looping usually haha.

Thanks a million. Once again, glad you enjoyed it!

[Quickdraw]

It's like if 40 *drakes producer) teamed up with Eminem and they met up with a glitch producer haha, I like that it uses very different things. The bounce and styling of the progression set up a real bleak feeling, this is not just like sad from a break up the music screams some kind of issue. It's interesting to hear the chaotic nature of the trap/glitch drums with that. I really like the pads though. Layer those drums and you're in business. Its a fresh sound, this is more glitch hop with the number of bars that you break up the flow with. Good Work.
"

xninja04 responds:

Thank you so much for the review! It's my second attempt at hip hop in a couple years. I studied a some rap beats, they seemed to lack a little.so I wanted to step it up a little!

[Inner City Cycling]

I really wanted them to answer their phone till about 20 seconds. This is pretty cool, reminds me of those old amiga adventure games. some interesting blends of sounds here, although some of it is a bit chaotic I still like most of the sections. Only a couple here and there that could use some cutting and refining, although how much is all about what you're going for. Sometimes one part will play the previous motif even though different section wants to introduce something a little contextually different I like that chaos for the most part in the track, it set sup a very urban environment. Especially with the metal sounds.

JoelTownsend responds:

I think I know which parts you're talking about. Thank you for the generous rating anyhow -- imo, at least this is better than my Blimp song.

[Sendoff For Linux]

It's very hard to focus on what is other wise an interesting harmonic exchange between the two parts because of all the fuzz, this is a nice composition but I had to tune out the pitch it was oscillating too and listen past all the fuzz to get to hear it. I don't see why you're hiding it in what come out as distractions, interesting at first but about halfway through I just wanted to listen to the main parts.

MikeeUSA responds:

Thanks for taking a listen. I'll PM you a link to the separate tracks.

[Dawn of a New World]

Well done, its well written but it troubles me that the new world is a militaristic one... :( i really wish you didn't use that trope. But regardless that's completely subjective for what I think of as a new world. As it stands its a world both Snake and the Fighters of Mordor would be happy to be a part of, I hear a little of the lord of the rings at the 3:12 and the MGS theme at around 1:47 to 2:06. Not like you cribbed it but that it just has a couple of little intervals and small snippets that make my ear think of em. I like it =] I suppose historically a millitary would use this kind of thing to "inspire" their soldiers.

Imagine-Blue responds:

^^ At first I wanted to call it "Fight for a new World" but I didn't want to make the fighting theme too predominant. I just can't help using marching-band snares! They sound too good to me.

I was actually mostly inspired by Nobuo Uematsu's and Harry Gregson-Williams' music, especially their more mainstream themes like the Theme of Love and The Battle (from the Narnia soundtrack).

Anyway, thanks a lot for your stars :D

[Parallel and Simultaneous]

I love the piano bits, its really involved, and intricate. I think the sax could do it more justice with some variation to match, as it sits with the rest of the peace its lacks the energy of the rest its not simply that its too loud its too loud for what its being used for I think. I like the idea of the sax being there but it really needs to sing out over that harmony to deserve that spotlight in the center, a looping melody doesn't quite fit the bill for my ears. Regardless I'd love to hear a sax-less or maybe I higher range back up sax to guide the piano instead of ride it. Although the best would be a more involved sax melody with some real nice phrases.

abrasounds responds:

Thank you so much for your recent reviews! It's a real help to me.
So, about this track, yeah, I've been thinking about changing lots of things. I agree with you when you say the sax needs more variation. Back then when I was composing and recording it, it just felt right, but now when I listen to it, I feel like a variation or two would sound quite good! Maybe I'll try to find some sax playing to help me phrasing this.

[Broken Music Box]

I love the way this comes to life, its like watching the growth of and dreams of youth which are so often abandoned for world weariness I like the way it fades to dreams. It actually makes me think of minecraft in a way, the way you can still the world with unlimited potential. Beautiful peace repetitive but thoughtful. The ending is verying sobering, as we lose the song to the click and the sound of birds lost to chirping. Chilling.

abrasounds responds:

I'm really glad you liked it. I'm deeply connected with this piece, is one of those very personal, you know? And you're right, it is all about youth and it's precious dreams.
Thanks a lot for listening and reviewing!