3manonMusic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[The Short Song Collab]

Hell yea

[Traca]

Nice atmosphere! It doesn't really capture the racing vibe that well tho, and there isn't a lot of progression overall throughout the song. The variations of melody make up for that tho! I think those last 5 notes as an outtro wasn't the best choice either I like the tonal percussion and the usage of the scale.

DaxCamdaxian responds:

Of the three songs I composed for this competition, I think this is the one that best adapts the theme of speed, and I really liked the arrangements, especially the percussion, I feel like it gave the piece a very Arabic touch and helped a lot to create the atmosphere

[Shai Hulud (ft. Arponax)]

This just might be the peak of this round holyyyyyy.....
The sound design and the weird percussions together with the spot on theming and Arponax's guitar, it all comes together so well. One remark is that the transition to the halftime part at 1:30 isn't the most clean. Quite some transitions in this track have that issue, but are nothing too outstanding. Great job guys!

[[NGMC 2025] X3ll3n - Ashes in the Gearbox (w/ Snikio)]

Okay that percussion for the intro is just lovely. I like the instrumentation in this piece overall. Very clean first drop! Not a lot to say on that one, it does exactly what it's supposed to haha. Would have loved to hear a b-section in the break tho, maybe a newly introduced melody. It makes it feel to familiar to the intro, esp with the vocals being in exactly the same position. That 2nd drop is absolutely GOATED, super clean mix while still remaining a busy part. It's a bit sad that it ends so abruptly, which you could interpret as a compliment, cus I would like to hear more of this!

X3LL3N responds:

Thanks for the feedback !

I only had a few hours left before the deadline and I didn't wanna get penalized, so I had to rush to finish it despite my hearing problem.

Originally, I thought of making a part after drop 2 to wrap up the song, and make the second buildup a little more unique by using different instruments and samples, but time was running out and I had to mix drop 2 so, this is how it is for now.

I could revisit it later maybe.

[ArikXu & angre839212: Arid n Barren Chase]

Damn that vocal is great! I appreciate how you managed to pitch it here and there without ruining the sound quality. The break at 0:59-1:10 is pretty barren tho, and the part after lacks quite some low-end. There's also not a lot of progression outside from that one break unfortunately, would have loved to hear somewhat of a build to a drop to an outtro with more dynamics in sound and volume! It gets pretty repetitive over time. Overall good on the theming as well, where as the racing and desert comes through pretty clearly!

[Tales of the West]

Well I was not expecting you to break your streak with Albe! This is has such a great theme tho! Completely unique from everyone else who just took the standard road for making themes in the Arabic deserts. The production is GREAT, absolutely spot on with the cinematic elements. One big elephant in the room tho, is the lack of racing theme! The most racing ish I could out of this one has to be horse rallies haha. I got nothing more to say about this one, just straight up fire!
PS: I love the little jawharp cameos here and there

Everratic responds:

Thanks for the review!

[[NGMC2025] Jerboa Jam]

Ah yes the flute to indicate that is about a desert. Very simple of giving the theme, yet it works in the context of the track! I think for the guitar sample, that has more of a Flamenco vibe to it, it would probably be better if it was replaced with more of a somewhat ehtnical plucked instrument, like an oud. I would have loved to hear more from this one! It ends pretty abruptly, but that then again also works pretty well as a loop haha. I like the usage of breaks. But in terms of instrumental variation that's basically the most what you get from the drop: flute and breaks, with some backing instruments that never get their chance to shine upfront. For instance, I would have loved to hear a part where those strings got some cool solo to lead into a next drop or something! Overall there was much potential to be had in this one, but is ultimately discarded by the length.

DumbOctopus responds:

Have mercy, 3manon 😭😭😭😭😭

[Amarna [NGMC 2025]]

Oh no Anakin reference AHHH. This is the first one I heard from you guys that doesn't have that waterflame energy anymore, but I'm all for that too! A little bit more serious toned on this one. The drop is very nice and well-mixed, but the dynamic between drop and non-drop could be a little bigger to emphasise that there's actually a drop in the first place if you know what I mean. I like the oud (if I'm not wrong) samples very much! Especially that filler at 2:06. Wonderful and mystical outtro! GG on this one :)

[time is broken]

First thing I immeadiately notice is that the theming is very appearent, so good remarks on that. It gives the racing and desert both pretty well. The main kick and psy bass is really loud tho, they really duck the rest of the instruments down quite a lot. Which is a shame cus there are a lot of other cool instruments I want to enjoy to it's fullest. Also call me based, but I really like the frantic time sig changes, it adds to the vibe and I think that's great. 2:34-2:40 is such a cool building part imo. I like the melodies in the part that comes after as well, although at times such as 3:10-3:24 it just sounds like you took random notes and stuck them to fit the key. 4:05 is such a WTF moment but in a good way haha. The way that transitions and goes along with the bass is great again. A very fun listen overall, big gg's

[Chocnoon & radon - Sahara Spin (DCLXXVI) [NGMC2025 Round 3]]

"Brick by brick I built this brickwalled limiter" lol. Anyways, I think it's a pretty alright trance track but the loudness is an obvious issue. You can hear the attempts to make the melody somewhat more alternative, but the theming ESPECIALLY comes through in every non-drop sections, with the swelling strings. I like the drum n bass attempt, but it gets sooooo loud again that the mix just becomes this... idk. I need to give my ears some rest after this one lol

MU53 responds:

Yeah this was a rough round for me ngl, especially master wise. I’ll keep the feedback in mind