Codefreq's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Cyber Punk Neo Noir]

The synth quality is too high for it to be a DOS game. :P

Seriously, though, there are elements of darker Synthwave songs sprinkled within this one, which definitely helps that retro-futuristic Cyber Punk vibe you're attempting to invoke.

My only suggestion is that I think you should leave some space at the end of the song so the instruments don't cut off suddenly like they currently do. If you intend to loop this piece, then I suggest making the cutoff fit in a better way so it loops cleanly.

Also, on a personal note, I think this piece could go further with the instrumentation, such as varying the percussion a bit more and generally making the synths more varied throughout. I'm not counting that against your piece though. It's just my suggestion.

Even still, good job. :)

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

AtomicAgeVampire138 responds:

Thank you - always appreciate constructive feedback!

You've got me on the DOS - how about PC-98?

[Neon Signs]

Neat! The imagery that this conjures up for me is driving through a sketchy part of a retro-futuristic city while on drugs.

I'm wondering why you picked the name Neon Signs?

Although it's a really cool track, It's unclear if there was any intent behind it. If there isn't. please specify that. If there is, I'd like to know what it was. Without knowing what you intended to do, I can't accurately rate and review how clearly that intent comes across. I have to resort to judging the track based on my personal taste

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

Possibly responds:

Thanks so much for the detailed review and I appreciate you taking the time. I'm quite content for the mystery of meaning to remain :D

[Doom]

The beginning of this makes me think of two things: First, I thought of a woman overlooking a grassy plane while on a high hill. Then I thought of someone near a small lake on a dock. It's neat that this part of your song (and by extension, the title) is strong enough to invoke an image and is vague enough to potentially invoke multiple images, something I personally rarely see in music. The compression is a little high, but other than that the vibe is very clear.

Unfortunately, that goes away when the main percussion (particularly the clap) comes in at 1:15. Then it turns into essentially a party song (or trance-like, at least). The imagery goes away as fast as it came, and it's a real let-down. I want this song to carry that image the whole way through and live up to its potential and its title "Dreamscape".

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your intent. My review is based on an assumption, after all. If you think I've got your intent all wrong, please feel free to respond and clarify what exactly your thought process and intent was in creating and releasing this piece.

Nevertheless, I hope you find my feedback, both the criticism and the positive remarks, useful.

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

TheMusicWarrior responds:

Thank you! I will work to this!))) Besides, I wanted to do this track maximally dancing and, of course, I would to do this claps in this part, but it's a stadium loop. But still thank you, I,m very pleased for you!))))

[-Evacuation-]

The song reminds me of Sonic Adventure 2's Shadow levels. There's a nice buildup of tension until about 1:48. IMO the way the drop is executed from then until about 2:15 or so gets in the way of the tension. After the 2:16 part the escalation of tension starts building again.

I mention tension because the title of your piece is "-Evacuation-". Therefore I assume you're going for a sense of urgency as a result. If my guess is wrong, Please let me know in your response.

Overall, this piece communicates the "escape phase" of an action game pretty well. I hope you find my feedback useful. :)

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

Preds responds:

Thank you for the review! I’ll try to get better at building tense drops. Hmm well, yeah, I was aiming for a more stress-type toxic breakbeat, but yeah, the idea is there.
Thanks again for the feedback!

[Dark Magic]

There is a vague feeling of an evil, sinister character, but to me it sounds more like a mysterious hacker, like from the Watchdogs series or something. It puts a "rad" twist on evil. I'd like to play the game this theoretically could be from.

The only thing I think could be improved is the sense of evil. I'm not quite sure how, unfortunately, but I think you could make the sinister vibe be a bit stronger.

That's about it, though. Great work!

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

Mikaiah responds:

Thank you so much! I'm very glad you enjoyed it!

[Stardust Power]

I think it would be beneficial if you added some commentary on what your thought process was going into making and releasing this song. Without it, I can only guess what your intent was. Failing that, I could only give my opinion and provide limited feedback. The same is true regarding the title. If you clarify your thought process with these things, I could give more useful feedback and I might raise my rating.

I like this song, and I think some parts fit with the title Stardust Power, but that's about all I can say.

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

Mikaiah responds:

Thank you again! Yeah, i think this time i forgot to put the commentary on the making of this song on the description. 'Cause it was suc Honestly i tried to give it an atmosphere of, sort of, a "space adventure" but more of like sort of "misterious" being that has the power to destroy the universe.

Maybe kinda a vibe of "This is gonna be the thoughest part" and so; but anyways glad you enjoyed and i'll keep that in mind! n.n

[Psychodelic Belladona's Trance]

UPDATE:

It's nice to see you took my advice and wrote the description. It gives a much clearer understanding of where you are coming from.

I feel bad about the joke I made. I didn't realize the full backstory behind this piece was so serious. :(

Thank you for clarifying.

The piece is even more compelling now. I'd like to hear the rest of the album when it's finished.

It feels wrong to judge such a personal expression. That said, it's very clearly expressed, coming across as almost otherworldly.

Great job. :)

Original 4 Star Review:

"Who needs drugs when we've got this? XD

Seriously, though, I think it would be good if you had a description for your piece and it's title. Without that, I have to resort to giving you my opinion, however shallow.

I think it's awesome. For now, that's about all I can say. If you added some commentary about what your intent was with this piece, why you named it what you did, etc. I could give you better feedback and maybe a better rating.

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

Ragkul responds:

You can read the description now that it's already added, and I'll upload my other songs soon, stay tuned.

[SSJ3 - A Warrior Reborn Anew]

This definitely has a vibe that, to me, says "In front of the horizon, a warrior walks in slow motion to the top of a hill overlooking the battlefield, ready to take on anything". It's a very motivated and determined vibe. Initially I was a bit jarred by the drums over the symphonic backdrop but once the guitars got going it really helped the piece show its aggressive side.

I think the mix is just a tad quiet. I suggest tweaking with compression/limiting and/or normalizing, if you haven't already.

Still, great work!

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

Shiverwar responds:

I like the way you review, mate. If I'm being honest, the motivation was there initially, but the actual notes came together rather randomly, and this was before I acquired some of the tools I now have at my disposal. I've heard people mention the mixing as well, and looking back on it, I can understand why. It is a bit of a quieter piece compared to some of my other stuff. If I ever come back to this track, I'll see if I can play around with it and make it better in terms of mixing and such. Thank you for the review!

[The Ancient Warriors]

The writing does a really good job of capturing the vibe of adventure and the "way of a warrior" vibe as described here.

Mixing wise, There's too much compression, and to me it makes the piece fatiguing and difficult to listen to because of it.

Other than that, I think you did a great job.

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

TheMusicWarrior responds:

Thanks! I'm very nice!)))

[Big Frolicking Bastard (Working Title)]

I wish you gave more information about your thought process with this song. What were you trying to do in creating and releasing it? For example, I realize the title isn't final, but it would help to know why you picked it anyway. The more information you give about your thought process, the better chance I can give you useful constructive criticism and possibly a better rating.

As it is, I like it. That's all I can say at the moment, unfortunately.

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

kwsounds responds:

I'll keep this in mind publishing audio going forward! I have a habit of being vague lol