Codefreq's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Night at the beach]

I definitely feel like this music fits the environment of a night at a beach. Specifically a night partying at a beach, outdoors. The stylistic choice of vaguely synthwave-esque modern dance music helps provide that image.

The only thing is the ending is a bit abrupt and could stand some extra space for the instruments to fade out naturally.

Even still, great work! :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

TheVibeTheRythm responds:

Again, ty dude <33

[One step back]

Very dreamy piece. starting at about 1:21, there's a sense of intimacy. I hear this and I think about two lovers in a high floor of a hotel room looking over a sunset, until about 2:40, when night hits, and the scene continues at 3:14.

I realize this imagery may come across as esoteric, but the important thing is your description matches the song; it definitely makes me want to relax.

I just have a couple of notes. First, the mixing is a little quiet. I suggest using compression/limiting plugins and/or normalization to increase the volume. This is so the listener doesn't feel the need to change the volume specifically for this song and then change it back with other songs.

The only other thing is the genre of this song to me fits more with dreamy electronic music or a chill hip-hop beat rather than strictly classical music. I think it would be better if you changed the genre to fit better with your style of music. Metaphorically speaking, if you expected to get Diet Coke but got root beer, neither is necessarily bad but you didn't get what you expected. Likewise, If someone looked at the genre and saw "Classical" they might think orchestral music, which this isn't. It can affect the ratings people give you and may influence other's reviews of your work.

I hope this helps. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

TheVibeTheRythm responds:

Okay thank you very much, this really helps. If you have any more suggestions or something, feel free to contact me. <3

[Blitz Loop]

I have a couple of things to note:

I'm curious about the title. Where did the name "Blitz loop" or simply "Blitz" come from?

It sounds petty, but if you intend this to be a loop, I suggest cutting off the silence at the end and change the submission type from "song" to "loop."

It's mixed well. the sounds come through clearly and nothing is particularly buried in the mix.

Overall, it's a fun listen. Given your description, that seems to be all you were going for. If you were trying to achieve something specific, please clarify that.

I hope you find my feedback helpful.

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

TheGoldenProof responds:

I don't really want to expose the sources of inspiration publicly but I can PM you the specifics behind the name. The song isn't meant to be a loop. I've always had trouble naming my songs, but for the first time I actually had the name for this song before I finished. Basically, I heard it somewhere with very little context and I couldn't stop thinking about what the "Blitz Loop" might be in some futuristic world and I started feeling very inspired. Like I said, this song changed a lot from what it originally was, and it doesn't quite fit the name as much as what I started with.

I guess there was multiple things I was trying to achieve, but ultimately I was just doing what sounded the best. This doesn't really sound much like the song I wanted to create when I first started, but I still tried to improve on various things, such as drum beats (which I know almost nothing about creating) and finding that "something" that it feels like my songs are missing (I always feel like my songs are missing something. I can't figure out what it is. I always feel like my songs just sound empty. I think in the most general terms, I don't actually know what makes good music good.)

Thank you for your feedback. It's helped me to think a lot deeper about my music and what I need to do to improve.

[Berlin]

UPDATE:

Thank you for adding the description.

The positive carefree vibe you put into this piece comes through really well. The music really sounds like a good time. It makes me want to go to this “A MAZE” festival.

Great job! :)

Original 4 star review:

“I wish you explained your thought process in the description for this piece. For example, why call the song "Berlin"? what inspired this song? What are you trying to do in creating and releasing this song?

Without answering these questions, I'm forced to go by my subjective opinion and the amount of constructive criticism I can provide becomes limited.

My opinion is that I like it. I think it sounds either utopian or anime-inspired. Unfortunately, that's all I can say about it while the submission is in its current state.

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806”

GrizzlyCogs responds:

Thanks for your comment, i added a short description :)

[Tranquility]

The description matches the vibe of the song very well. I feel like this could be playing in the background of a Japanese botanical garden.

The only thing I'd suggest is using some compression/limiting and/or normalizing to increase the volume enough so that the listener doesn't have to change the volume when going to and from listening to this song.

Overall, great job!

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

SharkwithSideburns responds:

Hey thank you for your response! It means a lot, I'm still learning how to balance the noises in terms of loudness so this really helps :) I appreciate the feedback!

[Extra Terrestrial]

To keep my review and rating as helpful as possible, they are going to be based on my criteria for review which you'll find by following the link at the bottom of this review. You should know, though that, subjectively speaking, I think this is one killer dance tune. :D

Anyway:

I think the mixing is very impressive.

I wish you talked more about what was going through your head when you created this as well as when you came back to it. Knowing what your intent was helps me give you more constructive feedback.

For example, Why pick the title, "Extra Terrestrial"? Nothing this song presented to me says it involves aliens or is a particularly alien piece. Without your perspective to clarify your intent, it's difficult to provide helpful feedback.

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

Ultimatepalmtree3 responds:

Thanks for the review, glad you like the track! I’m not really sure what bought me back to this after so long. I guess I wanted a challenge, wanted to see the difference of how far I’ve come maybe?

I was also terrible with titles; it was chosen because I made it on Halloween, so aliens, spooky etc. Terrible I know XD But I decided to keep it for now until I come back to this track.

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it!

[Luminous]

Not sure what happened with the upload, technically. The waveform doesn't match the song at all. That's not a knock against your song, It's just strange. I'd recommend replacing the audio file in this project just in case.

Anyway, here's my review:

First, I'm curious about your thought process, both behind the name and behind the song itself. Without your perspective, I can't give much in the way of constructive criticism.

Subjectively, I think this song is pretty good. It's a bit repetitive and ends without resolve, which
I'm not personally into.

I'm afraid that's all I can say unless you give a bit more perspective. If you do that, I may be able to help further and possibly change my rating.

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

HellFighterEDM responds:

I'm not sure what happened to the waveform either, it seems to happen to me sometimes.

I usually just make songs every once in a while, it's kinda like a side thing but I don't think that should matter in your review since I appreciate criticism and would like to improve. Naming my songs is probably the part I struggle the most with, I'm not sure how I'd rate myself on this song in that aspect and I did struggle a bit coming up with an ending which, I'll be honest, I'm still not really happy with.

But anyways, thanks for the review!

[Battle Intermission - VGM]

I can definitely see this as pause menu music, as well as character customization screen.

The only things I'd suggest are that the song be submitted as a loop, you cut off the end where the track has excess silence, and compressing the music so people don't have to change the volume for this song specifically.

I hope this feedback helps. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

[cold]

What vivid imagery in the description! There's a sense of innocence and childlike amazement and awe on what's going on throughout the track. It paints a very clear image.

The mixing is great!

It almost feels like a dream, right up until the 2:38 mark, when suddenly you wake up and a vague image of the dream is all that remains.

Great job! :D

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

BurneMusic responds:

thank you :)))

I always try to think of the imagery behind a track when i make it