Codefreq's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[The Faceless / Bloodborn (inst demo)]

Interesting piece. It's got a bit of classic Metallica vibe IMO, particularly the "Bloodborn" section.

I have some questions about this. What was going through your mind when you were making these pieces? What's the story behind the names? If you share this information I'd be better equipped to give you feedback based on how well I thought your ideas and intent came through rather than simply how much I like this piece.

I do like the piece, though. It's got me bobbing my head.

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

l0vemetal responds:

Thank you for the review! I will let you be the judge when I release the finished product with vocals.

I will say, though, that it involves two characters: The Faceless and The Bloodborn.

[Surge]

UPDATE:

Thank you for clarifying.

I don't have a name in mind for your song, but I can tell you that when I name my own music, assuming there are no lyrics, I often pick a name that sounds like what the music makes me think of.

For example, one of my tracks is called "Coked Up Fight At The Noir Bar". I called it this because to me that music would fit a high action fight scene in an urban bar in the early 20th century.

That said, everyone has different reasons for choosing the names they chose for their song. Some pick a name because it sounds cool. Others pick a name because it feels right. It's really up to you what you name your piece and why.

As for me reviewing your other music, let's talk about it through PMs.

Original 3 1/2 review:

"From a technical standpoint I think this is well mixed, although I'm not sure if the distortion on the percussion is intentionally distorted or not.

I'm curious what the connection is between the name, "Surge", and the song itself. Did you have anything in mind when you created this?

I'd love to give you good feedback that fits my standards (see the link below) but with the information you currently provide I can't give much other than how much I like it.

That said, IMO this is a fun dance track to listen to. It makes me think this would go well as a video game menu or mini game of some sort.

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

Dracoflame responds:

Thank you so much for your honest feedback!
I don't like to admit it, but I partially named this song Surge because I couldn't think of anything better to name it. Did you have another name in mind?
As for your analysis of my song, I think it was really nice! Do you think you can review my other tracks? After all, I am improving, and I could use all the advice I can!
- Dracoflame

[Bittersweet]

To me this sounds almost nostalgic. Like remembering something fondly but also with dark undertones in that memory.

I'm curious what you were thinking when you made this. What's bittersweet about this piece? Why the sunset as the icon artwork for this submission? Me knowing this kind of information allows me to give you feedback based on how well I think your ideas are represented through the music rather than simply how much I like it.

I do like the piece, although I think from a technical standpoint it's too heavily compressed.

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

[Rose of the Tranquility]

I find this piece to be incredibly immersive. The imagery really closely matches the vibe of the song. The translation between the written idea and the music isn't perfect IMO in part due to the gap between the piece's length and the length of the description, but the imagery I get from this is still very clear.

I'd love to see an expanded description and plot that I can follow along with. It takes almost 9 minutes to listen to but takes me much less time to read the description.

I find this incredible nonetheless due to its immersion.

BTW I have a bonus suggestion you can consider playing around with if you want: find someone with a good, calm narration voice and have them read the description out loud as the song plays. Even if you don't end up using it in the final song it may help with pacing if you choose to add to the description.

I hope this helps. :)

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

[when we were all here]

To me this piece sounds very much like a trip down memory lane in much the same way as almost any memory cinematic from Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The emotion you experienced when creating this piece really comes through here; strong enough to be noticeable yet ambiguous enough that it can be relatable in a variety of ways. Personally, I think it sounds heartwarming.

I'll say this about the in-game intent: To me it sounds more akin to a full realization of the past rather than an adventurous journey where the end is not known. That said, I don't see the game in question, so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt here.

All things considered, I'd say you did a fantastic job expressing the emotion you felt here. Great work! :D

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

[Nostalgia]

UPDATE:

Thank you for clarifying.

I think the happiness and nostalgia come through well. It's kind of distorted, like a memory of things you want to remember.

I'll say this: I don't think the sadness really comes through in this piece at face value. Someone somewhere might think of past happiness and nostalgia with a little bit of sadness intertwined with that but I personally do not.

Outside of that, I still think you did a good job clearly expressing what you mentioned here overall, though.

Original 4 star review:

"How hypnotic. :)

I don't take acid or smoke weed, but I imagine this is the musical equivalent of that experience.

Interesting piece. I'd like to know more about what you were thinking when you made this piece. It's help me be able to give better feedback. I like the title. Why did you pick it? Why did you pick the synthwave-y icon artwork you did for this specific piece? Things like this will help me be able to base my review on how well I thought your ideas came through rather than how much I liked it.

That said, I do like the piece.

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

SecretMusician responds:

Thank you so much!

Well, the truth is that what happened was a mixture of feelings such as: Nostalgia, Happiness, and a little sadness.
Nostalgia, for remembering me playing on my brother's N64 in my childhood, and also my grandfather listening to the radio.
Happiness, for making me feel that I am finally doing something that I like after months of busy with school.
Sadness, because I know that you cannot go back in time and re-enjoy the moments that I spent in my childhood, being with my parents, grandparents, my cat, my cat has already passed away, I became very sad for a while, my grandfather Also 3 years ago he died, I was also sad that year.

I chose that title because it reminds me of my grandfather's TV, and because I can easily listen to this for hours.

I chose that icon more because I like it than for anything else, but also in some way "it sounds like that image" if you can say that

Anyway, thanks for reviewing my piece, it was a pleasure to have shared my experiences with other artists =)

[FREE USE > In My Mind]

To me this is like an audio representation of sitting on the wooden porch of a big rural house listening to the nearby wind chimes. It's quite atmospheric.

I don't know Ghost in the Shell, so I can't really comment on that part, but as for the rest, here's what I'll say:

IMO It's very relaxing. It clears the head, it's ambient, and subtle, like I'm drifting off into a daydream. Not sure about whether or not it's philosophical and I don't personally hear whimsy, but I guess that's a difference in philosophy. ;)

I'll give this the benefit of the doubt. Nice work. :)

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

JamesBradfordHuston responds:

1st, see Ghost in the Shell -_-
Lol, thanks, yeah I can totally see what you're saying. Really like the "Codefreq" logo btw. It's simple yet easy to remember with "c" integrated into the key theme. It works.

[Timeless]

UPDATE:

Thank you for clarifying.

I can kind of see where you're coming from. I still think things like the correlation between the icon and the music could be stronger if you change the image you used to a more direct representation, but I do understand why you made the decisions you made better now that you've explained it.

Original 4 star review:

"This feels to me like it would make a good end credits to a game.

I'd love to give you good feedback on this piece but I need to know what your perspective is before I can do that. Without your perspective I can only say how much I liked it.

You can start by saying what your thought process was when you were making this piece. You can also say what the title you picked means to you and why you picked it for this song, or even things like why you chose the icon you did for this specific submission.

As for my opinion, I do like the piece. Something about the production makes it seem like there's a lot of space, like a vast landscape, or literal outer space. I will say the ending is a little premature; the fade-out isn't complete before the song ends. Unfortunately, right now that's all I can say about it.

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

WouterPiano responds:

Hi, thanks for your message. Im trying to make songs which have a mix between classical and electronic music. Thats why i use the electron image.. A simular image is allso used for my other song (classtron). I didnt know the fade out wasn't complete, it is in the original audio.. The name Timeless came in while improvising on the piano on this song. It's just what came to mind. Im glad you like the atmosphere.

[FS: Resolve]

UPDATE:

Thank you for clarifying.

I find people tend to have different approaches when writing music. IMO there's nothing wrong with the way you wrote music, as you described. The reason I ask what your approach is is that putting that information up front makes it much easier for me to give you feedback based on how well I thought your ideas were represented by the music.

My take is I don't necessarily think the title is an accurate representation of the song. But it does help to know you didn't have an idea from the start you were trying to get across.

I hope that helps.

Original 4 star review:

"Interesting piece. To me it feels devious, like a stealth game where the player is sneaking around a house trying to avoid guards; visually it reminds me of something like the classic top-down Metal Gear series for the NES.

I'd love to hear what was going on in your mind when you made this piece. I'd be more able to give you better feedback if you shared your perspective.

For example: What's the story behind the title?

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

FairSquare responds:

Hmm, i like that visualization you have :) And well.. the way i make music, it start with messing around.. a whole lot of it.. just playing with sounds, trying to make a sequence of chords, a melody, bassline.. anything that makes me able to build upon. Most attempts fail. But once i have that start, it makes things easier and then the actual fun starts. What i try to do is to keep the listener entertained.. constantly bring variation. So i can't say i really visualize anything when starting with a song, to me it's all about the sound and building the sections while still trying to make it sound as a natural flowing song.
The title.. i only thought of that after i finished making the song. And it's based on the music. After the initial build up there is a section with a melody. Then the song changes with some other melodies, some more changes, a drop and a final build up.. and then the section with the same melody as after the first build up. To me that feels like resolving the song.. because making this song felt like a puzzle to me.
Hope that gives you enough ideas about what is going on in my mind, haha. Thanks for the review!

[Reign of Liberation]

UPDATE:

Thank you for clarifying.

The decisions you made regarding this song make a lot more sense to me now that you've explained your perspective. I think there is a lot of positivity in this piece; I get a sense of honor and hope. Given your intent I'd say you did an excellent job.

Original 3 1/2 star review:

"This piece reminds me of something out of Disenchantment; it has a strong medieval fantasy vibe. I like it. I'd like to know what your thoughts were when you were making this. Did you have a goal in mind? Was there a project your friend requested that you made this for? To me the title of this piece is confusing; the word "reign" is by definition authoritarian, yet "Liberation" means freedom. Can you say more about that?

I'd like to give you better feedback than that, but without knowing your perspective I can't, unfortunately. I need to know where you're coming from so I can give feedback based on how clearly I thought your ideas came through in this piece.

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

Dryak responds:

Hey, thanks for your review ;)
My friend is making a game for his school project. It is about a poor kid from middle ages that has a dream he is a knight. So I made this as his title screen theme.

I'm from Czech republic and I took this as kind of an oxymoron type title. If you wanted to translate this precisely (not literally) into our language it would sound like "The time when someone sat on a throne and liberated his country".
For us the word "reign" means "when someone is the ruler", so it has neutral meaning. We add the meaning based on words connected to that. So "Reign of Liberation" means a very positive ruler.

As for the vision I had in my head- I made a hopeful song. That was all. My brother mostly comes up with names for my songs, because he can give a very nice touch to the words in those titles.
His hobby is lore making and story writing, so he always has some picture in his head. For this one it was like a cinematic from perspective of a pigeon that is flying through the land and has flashbacks of what it was before and of what it is now with the new ruler sitting on the throne. (He also wants them to sound exotic, so for example my previous song "Stellarion" was named after latin word for star- stella)