vividlance's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[A Forgotten Future (Overdub)]

Fuck yeah dude, this is super cool! Everything about this is right up my alley and you structured this track so well! The mixing is also on point for both early rave and vaporwave of the early 2010s - nothing feels like it's fighting for a chance to be heard in the mix, the breakbeats are processed nicely, and the vocals while appropriately cheesy don't overstay their welcome and make an appropriate addition to the overall track. My only thing is I wish there was more over-reverbed saxophone. Keep playing with this sound, it's awesome!

AniiKai responds:

Hey thanks! I'm a little caught up at the moment but I'm for sure still experimenting with this idea!

[Windbreaker]

Really fun tune!! It gives me really good N64 game vibes, especially with the guitar solo and bell synths - it could definitely fit in with the Wave Race or 1080 series! The only thing I wish this song had was maybe some introjections with different breaks, like Apache or Think (particularly the one with the YEAH! WOO! vocals). Good stuff! <3

JensVide responds:

Thanks bro! I do like that sound and I'm probably mostly influenced by the Ridge Racer series when it comes to 5th gen jungle though that's a harder sound I guess. Good tip about throwing in different breaks. Naganuma does that a lot and it's a good way to add variety, gonna carry that with me.

[Life Of A Ant]

I like how the piano is processed in this, the vinyl noise gives off a "found sample" vibe. The lead is also a nice touch, but I think it could come out a little more in the mix - it sort of feels like each instrument is fighting against each other for a chance to be more audible. However, I can see how that can be sort of desirable, especially for a track like this. I also wish this song had a bassline! Jungle has a lot of groovy basslines that play nice with the breaks.

Overall, pretty solid! I'm a sucker for anything with dreamy and nostalgic vibes, and I think jungle is a genre that perfectly captures that in a ton of different ways. Nice job!

[Frostbitter (JAMUARY 2023 DAY 2)]

I've always been into this sort of style of ambient, it fits in with the chilly winter motif you have going on. I'll also add as someone who likes to dabble in similar styles, I think ambient/soundtrack-type stuff is always challenging to make since it sort of has its own set of rules and whatnot. I really like the evolving arp, adds a good amount of motion while staying on track with the main idea. I do think the percussion could've been a little snappier - maybe with some slight reverb on the snare and a sidechain on the kick drum.

In regards to arrangement - I think that's honestly the hardest part about music! However, I do think the ending for this track makes a lot of sense with the long reverb tail and the rhodes/synth gradually slowing down. What I would've personally done to end this trsck would probably involve experimenting with lots of reverb (something like a shimmer, maybe) or paulstretch in co-op with the bitcrush - but that's just me, I like goofing off with what I can get away with by just going nuts with the reverb when I want to make something atmospheric. It absolutely goes without saying, but I think a ton of tracks could end in a ton of different ways - try studying your favorite songs and how they end! I always find super-active listening to be helpful when coming up with ideas and techniques. Hope my super geeky ramble helps at all! :D

GrapheneKid responds:

Thanks so much for the input! It's funny you mention a reverb outro--I actually did just that in an earlier song called Treetrips. I didn't do it with this one as much because I was under a bit of a time constraint but I had it as an option while I was composing before I went with the slowdown type of ending. Since I'm doing shorter songs I feel like there's more pressure to wrap up songs quicker.

The percussion was definitely rushed, normally I like to balance it a little more. I'm also using a set of samples that's different from what I normally use, so they have their own quirks as far as how they sound best and what it takes to get there. Sidechaining is definitely still new to me, I want to try some more exercises with it to really see what it can do for me.

One of the cool things about Jamuary has been hearing how other people end their songs, you are right in that it can be helpful to study different artists for ideas. I guess I just need to stop and think about structure. Roller coasters don't just abruptly STOP at the station from full speed, they do various turns and other maneuvers to engage the riders while coming to a full stop. In a way, I suppose writing music is the same.

[2251]

this gave me a really fun rhythm game vibe!! like i could see a beatmania chart with this

my only sort of nitpicks are that the kick sorta got in the way, but i think if it was more "tonal" it would've added to the fun-factor (but, that's also how i like my breakcore), and i think adding another chopped drum loop would've added more of a variety "texture" if that makes any sense

i'd like to see more of this sorta stuff!! i'd totally be interested in an expansion of this

NotDJK1RA responds:

thanks for the feedback :)