3manonMusic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Coelacanth (AIM 2025)]

I love the deep bass and how the track progresses with the percussion slowly fading in over time. It's a shame that the variation kinda stops there though. Like other people said, great usage of the art, it gives that underwater uneasiness to it. The transition at 2:50 is incredibly sudden tho, it actually sounds like a fault on a cd that you overplayed and skips a certain section because of it.

SepticDolphin responds:

Thank you for your feedback :) Good points, although both of them were stylistic decisions. In the image, there is that super creepy red part at the bottom that doesn't fade into the rest of the image. It really sticks out because of that disconnection, which looks super cool in my opinion. I wanted to symbolize that musically with that sudden creepy changeup at the end. As for the repetitiveness, i just wanted to make the song a bit more ambient to create a coherent and strong atmosphere, but i understand that not everyone likes that. Thank you for taking the time to listen and give feedback, i really appreciate it :)

[March of the Wild Zephyr (AIM 2025)]

I think this is pretty solid when it takes off! However, there is practically no variation on that part until the very last chord (which also doesn't end at the tonic so that's kinda weird). The beginning serves as a good intro. The B-section when the fast string arpeggios come in have a really weird rhythm? Very hard to wrap my head around, it seems like it's speeding up and slowing down inconsistently. I also would have loved to hear some bass in this track! If you're going for just a string ensemble there are enough contrabasses out there you can choose from! I recommend BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover if you don't have that already.
Also it's imo not the best interpretation of the drawing, I would expect something more whymsical and magical but this is way more serious toned. Good effort!

NeoAstro responds:

I understand where’re you’re coming from, but this is how I interpreted the art.

[Shenzen [NGMC 2025]]

Very well done as always, although I really can't tell how well the theme was pulled off. Given, I see that with a lot of other submissions this round as well

Benji-G responds:

Thank you! I can definitely see where you're coming from regarding the theme. We had made a few different ideas and none of them really hit home in terms of that urban feel, so we ended up going for this idea and finishing it. Thanks again, we appreciate it.

[Highway Hypnosis]

Omg this is beautiful. Y'all cooked fr. My only remark is the piano solo is processed really raw in the mix, which isn't the most satisfying listen. I always love me some good ol dnb though!

OVERSCORE responds:

Thanks 3manon! Solacitude added a second layer on the piano solo for clarity, but you’re right, it could definitely have been integrated a bit better into the mix.

[Rising Revolution, Chasing Convolution]

This sounds a lot like one of those old racing games, so good on the theming. The sudden transitions in melody are usually a bad remark for me, but it works for that old racing feel. Second half goes fricking hard it's a bit sad that the guitar solo is buried under the rising sfx tho

Arponax responds:

tbh i was kinda scared of those sudden transitions XD they felt pretty out of nowhere but if it works it works.

also the solo started to sound a bit annoying so i hid it a bit, seems like i still need to find a solid way of making lead sounds :D

[AIM - You're going to buy? Right?]

Aren't submissions supposed to be between 3-6 minutes?

Aalasteir responds:

Yes, I forgot about that.

[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

[[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.

[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 😭😭😭😭😭