1. Are you a gear in the machine?
   Dex
2. the clock is ticking
   johnfn
3. the sweetness
   jarski

Everything was pretty cool this week though. Here are some random notes:

GreyHooves: I know you said your mixing wasn't that good but I think I liked the sound design here a bunch and it really stood out in quality this week, the sounds were appropriate, loud enough, and everything seemed pretty balanced overall loudness wise. Panning (less of it) might help next time but overall I thought this was great progress.

RSK: I liked your lo-fi take. the guitar was pretty interesting as well, the sample seemed a little out of tune but the idea was pretty awesome.

Johnfn: This is cool work on it one day

MisaelK: I thought that the experimental nature of this was great, especially the gating and the various layers. Would like to hear more of this broken down actually.

Dex: Great drums, energy, and direction overall.

jarski: Love the chord choices.

1. Are you a gear in the machine?
   Dex
2. Smoke and Steam
   Arcana
3. Guaranteed to Grind Your Gears
   Random-storykeeper

Dex: Definitely nailed the factory themed approach with this one. The battle was a nice little surprise

Arcana: This also has a nice factory theme feel to it, like it was an abandoned factory that is still running by itself.

RSK: Very nice sounds. It would be very fitting for a platforming game.

1. Are you a gear in the machine?
   Dex
2. the clock is ticking
   johnfn
3. the sweetness
   jarski

Mmmmk, so for Dex's "are you a gear in the machine?" I felt like it was pretty great. The beginning and end parts really gave off factory stage vibes. The battle part was a little less enjoyable for me personnally and felt a bit out of nowhere, but overall it worked in the context of the track.

Johnfm's the "the clock is ticking" was very close to being first but the ambient feeling of the beginning and end of Dex's track won me over. The drums are great in your piece and after seeing your composers note I was impressed in what you where able to put together alongside the drums. Got a nice 8 bit clock feel from this one.

And for Jarksi's "the sweetness" well...it was pretty damn good. Honestly it was my favorite track. The only thing holding it back in this scenario was the theme. Didn't really give off any gear, steampunk or, clocky vibes, but it was good I couldn't not put it on my list. Loved how jumpy the base line was and opening pad just gave me some good feelings. Overall a very well made track, just Was a tad repetitive and didnt really fit the theme in my opinion.

Honerable mentions where:
~Batteries by coolgreenapple
~old tech by grey hooves

All entries where great but these stood out to me. Good luck to you all next week!

1. regular mechanism
   DarkShadow
2. Are you a gear in the machine?
   Dex
3. Batteries
   coolgreenapple

1. �regular mechanism� - I�m surprised how simple but fantastic this captures the evenness expected of a gear. The aimlessness also serves as a good sort of circular motion, allowing the piece to never quite feel like its tending towards something, just like something turning in circles would.
2. �Are you a gear in the machine?� - Dang you went full out for this one. How could I not notice the piece that has an electric guitar finale and a catchy looping part? Really solid structure all around.
3. �Batteries� - Slow love song with gears as a metaphor? Okay maybe it�s not any of those things BUT I still enjoyed it. I like the vocals - I wish they were a little more in tune but the overall tone is really nice.

Also wanted to vote for Arcana - I really dug his piece - 4th place if I had more slots.

1. Batteries
   coolgreenapple
2. Are you a gear in the machine?
   Dex
3. the sweetness
   jarski

coolgreenapple: great guitar and great vocals. Awesome work!

Dex: interesting concept, both parts were very good.

jarski: I would've voted this higher, but I think it's not super relevant to the theme. Now, the bass and the melody were amazing, it gave me massive Kirby vibes. Also the chords and the swelling pads. Super good.�

awesum: coolgreenapple, Dex, jarski, johnfn, Random-storykeeper.
good: Arcana, DarkShadow, dusthillguy, GreyHooves.�

1. Smoke and Steam
   Arcana
2. Batteries
   coolgreenapple
3. the sweetness
   jarski

Also really liked: johnfn, and Misael.K - I thought the idea was great but would have liked to see it developed more fully.