Cyberdevil's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[VISXGE x Skorde - BANDERA PHONK]

Tough! After that intro this sure took a turn. XD Wasn't sure what to expect but it goes places fo shizzle!

Seems like the audio clips a bit; the mix is a bit too loud overall here too, but not overly so, and you get a pretty cool distortion because of it, and the echo's heavy. Love the style and vibe overall, the build in the beginning and the raaage around the 0:37 point, but overall mix... wish the frequencies did have a bit more room to breath here too.

Dope work! Samples work so well.

-cd-

[hello_world://_ [F/C WHITRANCE 02]]

Clear and airy, like an aerial ferry, soaring through the sky through times both serene and hairy, moving through this life...

The mix is solid, open and airy, instrumentation vibrant and melodic... there's no particular part of it that really stands out to me though, though nice to listen to I don't think it'd be easy to remember this, feels like you need some form of differentiation; something more than the norm. A more prominent melody? Some unusual effects or instrumental choices? I'm not sure what, it just feels very... common.

It sounds great, but a bit more distinguished sound might really bring it to the next level.

Keep up the good stuff!

-cd-

[DESTINY]

A little loud mix IMO; a little clipping with the vocals it feels like, though this was good otherwise. Intricate mix.

Vocals are a little hard to discern the words of too, though you clearly hear them, seems they're a bit distorted; far back in the mix.

Overall this was pretty chaotic too! The lighter bit with intro and outro seems more suitable the theme, and it builds in a nice way initially, but for most part of the track there's little melody or rest, it gets intense in a way that I at least personally don't find that gratifying, maybe just for the lack of range and repetitive low notes, it's like House, but with a very restrictive palette of notes, and no room in the mix for reverb or higher frequencies.

Initially though, there's plenty of room. I love how it starts, I love how it ends... love the beat too, otherwise: a bit too clipped and chaotic for me! Understand optimal loudness levels are subjective of course but that's my personal opinion. :) Feel this would've been fantastic a bit toned down.

Keep up the good stuff.

-cd-

[Starry Night]

Reminds me a bit of the Parasite Eve soundtrack this one... it goes apart after a while, but initially very reminiscent. Though the source of inspiration's apparently a very different one. :) I really like the idea of improvising audially upon visual art like this, classics no less, it feels... enrichening.

And the fact that it's improvisation is fascinating.

The combination of major and minor keys in the song is an interesting mix too, feels both dreamy and nostalgic with the major ones, and a little off-putting with the minors; unsettling as you'd be with for example a dramatic movie scene. I wonder if old movie soundtracks are a reason minor notes give that kind of impression though, or if they just resonate with us that way...

Anyway the piano playing here is spectacular, and quite the journey, it doesn't seem to follow a specific pattern - even though there are re-occurring elements to it - it really takes you along for ride. The views of the city, star-lit streets of the night, beady blotches of intergalactic nova's that sprout and sparkle...

Mix quality's not bad either. Nothing but piano; plenty of room for reverb and range.

Very nice work.

-cd-

[Oh, this again? - Chiptune -]

The level of wavering that's going on in the melody seems to defy the essence of chiptune a bit! XD

Then again it does sound good, so never mind the superficial genre restrictions I've somehow confined in my mind there...

Feels almost like a pop song turned chiptune. It's catchy. Crisp chip elements with the beat; a melody that almost seems from another realm of hearing. It's kinda like autotune for chiptune... fascinating effect.

Good stuff.

-cd-

[Partying Alone]

Well this is a vibe too...

A party by the self is a bit softer than a party with others I reckon? It seems so here at least! Both comfortably chill and also... a little melancholy.

The different tempos seem to further enforce that effect. Like there's the party vibe going on in the background, and then the melancholy vibe in front. The party you're trying to have; the way you feel about the party when there's just nobody else in it...

Interesting contrast, intentional or no... the vibe's on point.

-cd-

Snow-Hex responds:

Many Thanks Cyberdevil 🦖

[Crest]

Affluent and beautiful...

I love the vibe, seems both heartfelt and melancholy, a notion of emotion, though I do wish there was a bit more variation to it too... some kind of crescendo the Crest builds up to in time...

Beautiful song though. Atmospheric. Rich sound. It's nice to listen to, and the strings are a screaming contrast to the soft; subtle backing of the song. Like heartstrings...

The trip up around 3:52 was pretty cool too. It's almost like it skips a heartbeat. Emotion wavers. But it keeps on yet again...

-cd-

[Mr Chipper]

Chiptune as promised! And appreciative pace changes along the way, really gets you bopping, the melody's upbeat and the rhythm easy to sync with. The chiptune itself is intricate. Myriad of melodies and tempos that flow together in a seamless and sometimes fun; funky way...

One of the best purely chiptune tracks I've heard in some time I think!

The pace change in particular may be the one element that really takes it to another level too. How it's not just a part of the instrumentation that changes, but the very foundation as well, melody and everything, it really gets you moving. And I love those moments when the music itself seems to almost glitch up for a millisecond or so, seems somehow so suitable the genre too. Or maybe it just adds a human element to an otherwise very digital type of sound...

Catchy; chill; chipped in the best possible way anyway!

Amazing track.

-cd-

[Gamma Club]

Poignant, jazzy, full of soul, rolling fro!

Not Gamma has in radiation though I hope! This was dope. When the brass and all kicks in too, and the sound bounces left and right a bit in the mix... the production's intricate as well, and composition never stale.

Lovely vibe all the way through.

-cd-

MarlAngelo responds:

Thank you. :)

[Last battle]

It really delivers on the name!

Goes ferocious right from the start, and it keeps it going all the way... powerful sound, and a perfect loop no less, where builds and all fit in just perfectly even when you loop 'em!

I could definitely see this played in a game if it isn't already! Or an action scene otherwise... the arrangement's solid. I like how the percussion stands out in the mix too, though it also feels a bit toned down overall. Maybe getting used to overly loud mixed instead hmm, it really is a benefit when you hear the full frequency range... as you do here!

Awesome track. Grand battle; great craft.

-cd-

Arponax responds:

It felt like loop would be a great idea for this kinda track :D im glad it payed out.

im happy with how the percs sounds in this too, tho i think the mix overall get a little bit tiring for ears and basses could be a bit more clear, it definitely could have had just a little bit more impact i think. But thats a way to learn next time it will be a little better than before :D

im glad you enjoyed.