TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[We Are Free [NGADM 2023]]

I like the atmospheric intro. The vocals sound nice and confident, but are also a tad over-processed at times, and the lyrics themselves are a bit cheesy. The mix is loud and punchy, but during the drop at 1:05 the drums get a bit lost. I like the sound design, especially at the breakdown at 1:43. The crisp strings, choir pads, and later the return of the prominent bass at 2:08 all really hit the spot. The rhythmic content and filtering work at 2:34 are especially nice, although the heavy breaks there also bury the vocals once they come back in at 2:47, and the vocals also get a tad repetitive towards the end of the piece. Overall, I enjoy the upbeat and triumphant mood, synth melodies, and progression of this piece a lot. I think the production could use some tightening up, and the composition could use a tad more variety later on. Still, you struck a great balance between atmospheric and danceable here. Keep at it, Benji!

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.25/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.75/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8/10

Benji-G responds:

Thank you so much for the review TaintedLogic!

[Be That As It May]

I like the prominent hats and rich guitar chords at the beginning. The snare at :19 sounds a bit distorted and heavy for an otherwise tranquil piece like this. The vocals are great, and seem much more up-front in the mix than the last time, which I appreciate. I also really like the variations in the instrumental tracks at around 2:00. The high-pitched vocals at the bridge at 2:51 are also a highlight, as is the doodling at 3:29. The outro is a bit dragged-out, but otherwise I really like the languid pacing of this piece. Overall, I think you nailed this, Spoonman! Such a peaceful and heartfelt track. Keep it up! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
9.25/10

SpoonMix responds:

Thank you, TaintedLogic for the review! I did want to do something about the snare, the gated reverb is very noticeable in the beginning... Thank goodness my vocals are a bit better for you. I am aware, also, and wanted, the fade out to be shorter, but I enjoyed that I was able to produce the instrumental and wanted to preserve it... mainly for myself. I'd definitely shorten it if ever this song becomes part of an album...

[Go the limit (NGADM)]

I like the glitchy intro and the upbeat synth brass towards the beginning. The drums could be a bit more prominent in the mix, but I like the rhythmic content otherwise. The melodies at :44 are cute, but the counter-melody at :52 also needs a boost in the mix. Part of the problem might be an excess of reverb at times (especially with the percussion at around 1:20), but I suspect you just need stricter equalization across the board. The progression here is nice, especially when it culminates in the higher-pitched melody at 2:38 (and other places). The melodies at 3:18 serve as a nice dose of variety, and I also appreciate the variations on the main melody at 3:37. The arrangement sounds a bit formulaic here at times, and to be honest I’m torn on whether the sound design is whimsical and charming or overly cheesy. Still, I like the melodic content, atmosphere, and upbeat mood of this one a lot. Tighten up the mix a tad and make the progression feel a bit looser, and this would be a top-notch track. Keep at it, Riskster! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.5/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.75/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8.5/10

[Praia Apaixonada]

I love the smooth guitars and strings at the beginning. The cute melodies, relaxed atmosphere, and sound design really make this piece what it is. Aspects of the composition could’ve been a bit more dynamic and ambitious, as the solos all seem like echoes of each other after a while. The harmonies also trip over each other sometimes, especially at 1:14. Still, you get full credit for mixing, instrumentation, and atmosphere here. This piece makes me regret not getting to the beach this summer! Keep at it, FJOB. ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
2/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.75/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.75/1
Composite score
9/10

[meet me outside]

I like the pensive mood at the beginning and the eerie atmospheric elements at :12. The prominent bass and lo-fi beat are nice, although the piece remains pretty minimal throughout, with a rather bland composition and repetitive harmonic content. I think it’s a great start, but I’d like to see you flesh out the structure a bit more. Hope you get a chance to finish this sometime. Keep at it, NashQP! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
2/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
.75/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.25/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.5/1
Composite score
7.5/10

NASHqp responds:

Thanks! I was extremely busy at college and was wishing an extension for the deadline so I could complete this song, but I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it. I might consider finishing the song.

[Exaltation (NGADM r. 2)]

I like the riser at the beginning and the 8-bit sound design. The chord progression is a bit cliche, and the drums at :25 could use more lower-mid range tones. The rest of the sound design is enjoyable, including the chopped vocals at :39 and the mid-range basses at the drop at 1:04. The rhythmic content is certainly a highlight throughout the piece, and despite the plethora of stop-start transitions, the progression is pretty smooth. I like the energetic bridge at 2:22 and the emotional quality of 2:48, too. The goofy snare at 3:25 kinda takes the edge off the otherwise punchy mix, but overall I would’ve liked to see more variety during the last minute or two of the piece, especially given the generic harmonic framework here. Still, the sound design, atmosphere, crisp mix, and catchy beats really make this a strong piece. Keep it up, DenPelm! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8.75/10

[Guest of Honour]

I like the smooth guitar riffs at the beginning and the rich, echo-y harmonies at :13. The vocals at :25 are a bit soft in the mix, but the furtive tone and thick layering are both really nice. I love the defiant attitude at 1:08, although the drums get seriously lost in the mix there. The rhythmic content and variety in the instrumental tracks throughout is totally a highlight, here. At 2:38, a more ambitious solo or something would’ve been welcome - otherwise, I felt like the last 30 seconds was the most bland part of the composition here. Still, you nailed this, Mischa. Love the edgy vocals, sound design, progression, and atmosphere. Make the drums sound punchier, and this piece is damn near a 10/10. Rock on! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.5/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
9.25/10

Mischa-head responds:

Thank you very much!

[Lagrange Point (NGADM '23 R2)]

I like the adventuresome mood at the beginning. The transition at :28 is a little abrupt, with a much more romantic mood all of a sudden. There’s a great sense of build-up into 1:20, and the melodic content throughout is rather graceful. The mix at 2:07 sounds a bit strained, with the percussion and piano harmonies both getting a bit lost amidst the dense melodies. That said, I enjoyed the piano outro for its simplicity and emotional quality. Overall, the sound design and melodies are top-notch as usual, Papkee. All things considered, the first 30 seconds of the piece sound a bit out-of-place, and later in the piece an excess of reverb may be compromising the mix a bit. Still, you’ve mastered your craft at composing cinematic beauties. Keep it up! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.25/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
9/10

[Ryzmik - "Calima"]

I like the airy pads and apprehensive mood at the beginning. The mix is loud and punchy, although the texture sounds a bit over-saturated with reverb. I love the bongo rolls at :48 and the catchy breaks at 1:08. The mix sounds a bit bottom-heavy, and the arrangement is a tad generic here too. The ambient breakdown at 1:59 is probably my favorite part of the piece, between the rich atmosphere and creepy solo at 2:20. I would’ve liked to see you switch up the drop the second time around at 3:05. That said, you get full credit for the sound design and mood/atmosphere here, and the progression and mastering also hold up well. Keep at it, Ryzmik! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.5/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8.5/10

[Lordant - The Lost Tale]

I like the sense of wonder at the beginning. The vocals and bell-like atmosphere are great, and the rich string swells and melodies are absolutely beautiful. The mix is sharp and well-balanced, and you also make the most of simplicity with the majestic piano breakdown at 1:34. I thought you could’ve done a bit more to give the section between 1:46 and 2:30 a stronger sense of direction, though. This piece seems to be missing a strong “point of arrival” later on that would’ve really hit it home. Still, you get full credit for production quality, atmosphere, and instrumentation here. Another gorgeous piece, Lordant. Keep it up! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
2/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.75/1
Composite score
9/10

Lordant responds:

Thanks for feedback, as always!