xxxZigZagxxx's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[S.U.I.A-The High Life]

Pumpin'.

Upon first impression, this is a very funky song, complete with syncopated guitars and rolling synths, and a pumpin' drum track. When the vocals come in, I am suddenly hit with how awesomely this track is produced. It has the feel of relaxing back on the sofa on a Saturday morning-afternoon, just chillin'.

The synth that rolls over the top is a very nice one, adding a nice touch. The point at 1:15 where it drops, and then comes back in, is executed quite well. I enjoy the overall feel of the song, it's very punchy and groovy at the same time.

The moment at about 2:15 when it switches to a different beat is well-transitioned, as if descending into the underground lab where the mutants are being bred in unsafe conditions. At 2:46 when everything fades out, and comes back in, is pretty sublime, in all truth.

This song encompasses the high life superbly, with soaring synth lines, etc., and funky voice tracks. Did you record that yourself? If so, you have got a good voice. But it's probably sampled, which is good too.

Keep it up!

Benjamin

superuberinsaneausm responds:

thanks for the review im glad you liked it!, i sampled a song for the most part, most of the vocals and guitars are samples.

[Friday Daze]

Hey dude! Long time!

This is really nice! You've really honed your production skills a whole lot, haven't you? I have kinda, too. But this is just amazing :)

There is definitely a LOT going on in this piece. I reckon you could benefit from maybe toning it down a little bit... just a little. It's very danceable music. It's got moody chords with a dash of crazy! :)

The drums are fairly constant, and can get grating after a lengthy listen, but they are very funky and well-mixed. I like the point at 2:05 where it goes into HARD bass :) And then 2:18 it calms down quite a lot, provide a calmer more serene atmosphere. The sample at the end is very refreshing! :) I wanted to hear more of the end and less of the beginning to be honest. It felt like it was going somewhere! :)

More of this, dude! :D

patrickliberty responds:

hay thanks a lot for the kind words, it really means a lot to me... i'll keep up my work- i'll even make it better >:-)

[Trap Star]

It sounds quite good

A little bit bland, if anything. Bring in some drums or something perhaps? I don't know. But it's a good start for a melody.

ZigZag

[Hunger Pains (Demo) Durea]

I wish I could sample like this!

One day I hope to be as good as you Dureagon!

The piano is ambient, the flow smooth, the snare popping, and the hi-hat in its place. I like the jazz chords. The repeating guitar is a staple that holds it together.

You're a true DJ!

[Hype the Core (Silv3Ster Mix)]

Glitches, Dissonance, Noise and Excitement

DJ Silv3Ster, an 18-year-old Hardcore artist from Kamloops, B.C., released a track remix "Hype the Core" on the 13th of August. Our first impression was with his WIP "Hyperactive", which was pacey and frantic, nice, if not a little cheesy. This is a more mature single, which he had "crazy fun" with, a UK Hardcore gem, which he insists is completely different to hardstyle.

BEAUTY IN ART:
"Hype the Core" is polished in presentation, like the polishing of a black oxford shoe on a sunny Saturday morning at the barber shop. At turns flurrying and hardcore, Silv3Ster goes for a happy hardcore mood, much like the dizzying frenzy of a rave, complete with samples of cheering fans and ambient noise. Complete with glitchy voice samples and fantastic swelling dynamics, the song's noisy texture transports the listener into "partying realm". That said, much of the song can get over-repetitive, with disjointed piano solos and a very noisy high-end, which makes it hard to hear the definition of the mix.

SKILL AND TECHNIQUE:
Comparison to other UK hardcore is difficult, because I have not included the genre as a group in my music diet. However, it sounds very typical of such a genre, with a steady and booming hard kick. The recent "Whistle Blow" was a more ambient and experimental piece, with dissonant far-away sounds and cloudy reverbs drifting off into the cloudy night. "Anger Has A Place" was an interesting Frenchcore track: a lot faster; a lot harder. So Silv3Ster's compositions on the whole revolve around this intense, fast theme, which, although it may be hard on impact, may lack some subtlety. Not to say that subtlety is unimportant in this genre.

INHERENT MEANING:
The track creates an intense emotion of hardcore partying, bouncing on the floor with a crowd of others at the rate of 190 bpm. It certainly appeals to the ear, and also seems to tip its hat to other works of the genre. However, the swelling dynamics, much like the swelling depths of the sea, seem to wash over me with little effect other than the occasional euphoria. Music that makes a statement, but could be developed further.

UNIQUENESS:
I don't think that this hasn't been done before, but what has been done before has been done well. It is unique in the way that it is disarming, but this can somewhat distract from the piece. What can have inherent meaning to some can come off as somewhat gimmicky to others.

FULFILLED INTENT:
"Hype the Core" succeeds in hyping up the core target of listening, the hardcore fans themselves. The intent is to ramp up the user, which I felt somewhat rising up in my spirit. However, this didn't deepen my understanding on UK Hardcore, it didn't tell me what you were trying to achieve. It didn't make me think, it just brought me along for the ride. I'm looking for music that appeals to my spirit as well as my brain. But that might just be a personal preference.

Benjamin

Dj-GST responds:

Oh wow hahaha, it's like you're narrating my life :D

I'll just reply too...
INHERENT MEANING:
Yeah, I made this track with the view of a rave in mind, and it's 165 bpm, Anger Has A Place was 190 bpm though haha.

Thanks for the detailed review man! I really enjoyed reading this.

-3S-

[Sea of Destiny]

EPIC

17-year-old Archmage from Las Vegas, Nevada, a composer of classical and trance, released "Sea of Destiny" on the 8th of August. He first stunned Newgrounds with his glitchy electro-fest "Trust Nobody", to much critical acclaim. His latest outing is a classical work, which is epic in proportion, without the mammoth runtime.

BEAUTY IN ART:
His music conjures up images of swelling tides and pirates at the sea. It brings up the imagery of a ship battle, with booming cannons and scimitars slashing, old men with grey beards yelling "FIRE!". But overall, it is epic in scope, with swelling strings and serene horns.

SKILL AND TECHNIQUE:
"Sea of Destiny" is mixed expertly, with the dynamics of the song ranging from pianissimo to fortissimo. Elements of the orchestra fit like pieces of a puzzle, the rolling toms providing an epic background to lay the strings and other magnificent instruments upon.

INHERENT MEANING:
The string stabs remind me somewhat of the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack, and a quest for lost gold, across vast waves crashing on top of decks. Booty! Alas! This is a swashbuckling piece that I would dare any of me hearties to jump of the bootdeck if he shed a single tear! Arrrrrrrh!

UNIQUENESS:
The piece provides a platform to take the listener to places of fantasy. The vast Sun inching over the sunrise, hairy men with no shirts pulling ropes and tying things to other things, surviving on a meager diet of pickles and porridge. George caught scurvy the other day. Need to bring some lemons along next time.

FULFILLED INTENT:
I think this song has fulfilled its intent, because it is filled with moments of sheer brilliance, along with some soothing serene horn riffs. Howard Shore would be proud.

9/10

TheBellmaker responds:

Haha your review definitely made me smile. Sounds like something you'd find in a newspaper. Many people have been saying that it sounds inspired by PotC, but in reality I came up with the theme while mucking around on my tablet keyboard :P

[grooveT3K - 911]

Good quality

Very nice and punchy! I like the little phone samples you put in there. Your beat is very crisp and to the point, of high quality. You build up a certain mood very successfully. This one even has a feel to it that you're in a post-futuristic environment where the government controls everything. A sort of anarchy in the age of flying cars and such :) I like it

Benny

grooveT3K responds:

Cheers mate!
I love your imagery and after hearing your idea I can really see it too lol
thanks for the compliments and im glad you liked it!
Thanks again mate!

[Simple Jazz Piano Loop]

Yo dude

Awesome. Very amazing, especially those little ones that you slide your hand down the register. Or whatever. It's cool as, brief, amazing.

GamekrazzyProduction responds:

Thanks, Sadly I cannot play it on the piano fully as I made the chords on a midi. I do know how to play the main melody and bass though. Anyways I am glad you liked it.

[Erik Jaime ft.Tico - Dropcuts]

So immaculately produced

Your flow is so amazin'! Everything's cool!

Benjamin

erikjaime responds:

Thanx man!! I appreciate it from the heart!
ill make sure to drop something more awesome soon!

/ Erik Jaime