Deemo-R's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ronin]

Great job! Really liking the mix work here and the percussion is very nice. Epic music isn't usually my thing but I have to appreciate the craftsmanship here.

KevinMueller responds:

Thank you for your kind words! Mixing is a bit tricky when working with that many layers of instruments, so I'm really glad you liked it. :)

[Uncontainable Love]

Great stuff as always! Hope you've been getting along well since I last saw you with all that's been going on now. You're still pumping out good music, clearly! Great modulations at 1:20 and 1:48, and the orchestration is lush and layered to high heaven. That Lacrimosa choir really blends in well with the rest of the orchestra! I also really enjoy the small countermelodic lines happening in here, they add a ton of depth to everything. No real complaints from me, sounds like you really got to flesh out the orchestration in this piece and it's really reminding me of the big film composers that I like.

The only thing I want to know is what's making the clicking noises at the start (0:12, 0:27) - is that the piano or harp?

CloakedSoup responds:

I'm pretty sure that's the piano. I'm not sure what it is, but it's consistently been there. I'll go into the project real quick and see if I can amend it + re-upload, but I'm not sure what is causing it outside of it coming from the piano patch.

[Aim 2020: With the Wind]

Really like the piano on this! Great lines for the woodwinds (apropos usage of them given your title as well) and a relaxing guitar backing to keep a subtle energy going. I feel like I don't often get to hear nice, gentle orchestrations on NG, but this one is very good!

[Comeback]

I'm late to the party on talking dissonance, but I'm still gonna say that I like the ever-so-slight discordance you trickle in here. Nothing extreme, but just a nice bit of spice in the broth. I'm glad to hear your music again, and I hope you're on the rebound now with writing! Here is my deal: I will pay you another half a star when you feed me more of your 3/4 (or whatever you feel like, man)!

Everratic responds:

I'm glad you like the discordance, and that's a cool way to describe it!

I'll gladly produce more 3/4 stuff :D

[One Last Goodbye]

Great production, this is a wonderful piece of epic music! Very moving in the buildup and cathartic when the climax hits around 2:30

["Spring of Seoul (서울의 봄)" - Jessie Yun]

Very lovely work, as per usual! Your work always puts forward a great deal of emotions :)

JessieYun responds:

Thank you very much, I’m very glad you enjoyed it! <3

[In My Garden (feat. annapantsu & feebeechanchibi)]

Congrats on your new EP! Really liking this track and "Sunday" as the standouts, though "Hammock" was also quite lovely! Your eclectic sensibilities really shine through with each track :)

[New Life]

I’ve been listening but not commenting much lately - however, I do particularly love what you have here. I think your experience in making large, epic textures has really borne fruit in mixing these sorts of grand, sweeping orchestrations. I’m not sure how exactly you get it as clear as it is without overwhelming the mix. On another note, I can definitely hear how composers like Powell and Coker have influenced your writing. I’m honestly envious of how well you’ve drawn their orchestral touches into your own style. These days I have to drive a bit farther than I’m used to when going to work, but I take the time to listen to things like the HTTYD3 soundtrack on the way. Your work certainly enthralls me on a similar level at times! Great work as always, can’t wait for what’s next!

CloakedSoup responds:

Thanks man! I was definitely satisfied with this piece in terms of composition, though the mixing could use a little smoothing over in some spots and the solo horn patch near the opening was causing a certain issue that you can probably hear. I've gotta back to make some finishing touches with this and the last piece I uploaded sometime after I finish a plate of work I've got going on this month, but I'm glad you enjoyed it regardless! :D P.S. If you have the time reply to my Discord DM, please do. ;D

[[E X O D U S] "Break The Gravity"]

Gave this a 5 while casually passing through before, but now that I'm listening to it again I definitely have to add it to the favorites list. Superb talent! EWQL brass is not always my favorite in certain contexts, but you've used them very well! The synth ostinatos and drum design are by far my favorite elements of the track, really adds the flavor to bring the whole thing to an "earworm" status! :)

JessieYun responds:

Hey Deemo-R,
Thank you very much for the comment, I'm very glad you enjoyed this track! And I'm glad that the synth worked well on this track, especially since it was my first time adding synths from a computer.

[Uncertainty]

You're really making good use of your violin library (Joshua Bell?) in these tracks. Sounds great! I like this experimenting you've done in fusing these styles together with both the collab and this new track, both parts sound very nice to me. I personally feel the transition could have had some more overlapping elements, but there's something to be said and appreciated about the hard shift into the electronic section. I do believe the lead could be a bit more expressive, because the violin is so "molto espressivo" that the long notes in the lead melody feel quite static in comparison. I also think the climax at 1:48 would be really satisfying if the violin was brought back to offer some countermelody or color to the repeated phrase - bring it firing on all cylinders before that sweep into a lovely piano ending.

However you look at it, though, I think this is quite a well-made piece of music. I really hope you try out more stuff with this blending of styles!

Everratic responds:

Yes, I use the Joshua Bell Violin; it's my favorite vst :)

I agree with your criticism. I admit that I rushed this piece. I didn't feel passionate about this song, and I was up at 5 in the morning so I wanted to finish it asap.

Bringing back the violin during the trance section is an interesting idea. I'm not sure if it would work well, but I would like to experiment with it in the future.

Thank you for the review! I do intend to blend different styles more.