1. dark waters
   coloradoweeks
2. Oceans Bended Noise
   Arcana
3. Deep Dark Waters
   DarkShadow

1. Shimmering Sea
   NickC
2. Darkest Ocean
   DJohn
3. Dark Depths
   DDRKirby(ISQ)

I also enjoyed:

Dex

Koekepan

TheGreatDestroyer

ashka

1. Deep Gleam
   ashka
2. dark waters
   coloradoweeks
3. Shimmering Sea
   NickC

I went for the strongest thematic instrumentals, but had to insert colorado's almost-out-of-breath vocals for the aquatic experience.

1. Submarine Engine Love Pump
   Koekepan
2. Dark Depths
   DDRKirby(ISQ)
3. Darkest Ocean
   DJohn

1. dark waters
   coloradoweeks
2. Deadly Tide
   nukage
3. Dark Depths
   DDRKirby(ISQ)

1. Deep Gleam
   ashka
2. Shimmering Sea
   NickC
3. Darkest Ocean
   DJohn

I’ve explained this before. Basically I’m away for two weeks, and as a result I don’t get chance to partake in Compo. Replying to comments is not applicable here. If you want to hear something I made based of the theme and a 1hr 30 minute time limit, then head on over to the ThaSauce discord under the sharing of channel. (It’s probably buried in there, just search my name and the channel name into the search bar.) Thanks all! Now on to the entries!

We’re on Mobile so forgive for any mistakes made in this one. It’s all completely unintentional. Les goo!

Lyra_183 - This sounds like some Sea Shanty. It’s got a very old traditional sense. The melody and lyric writing is lovely in this. I’m actually really digging this one a lot! Giving you this, well done!

DarkShadow - The master of loud waveforms is back! My that is one clicky kick drum. Has the characteristic atonal vibes I know so well. This one is quite the assault today. Not my cup of tea, but I respect those who do. Good job!

Souperion - Calming guitar (Or mandolin) and old school medieval flute vibes. The melody is very free flowing and very pretty. It’s got an RPG element to the whole composition. I dig the varying melodies on the flute and violin. It’s got a lot of wonderful chord changes in this. This is lovely, definitely wanted to put this on the list, but I can’t. It was just too good. Amazing work!

JH Sounds - Your early for once lol. That is a nice piano progression, it’s really sombre. That is a lovely use of augmented chord in this. Not a JH progression I was expecting, but it’s definitely worth it. The drums were good, but in my opinion I would let this shine as a pure piano piece, and loose the drums. However they weren’t invasive so I’m ok with it. Truthfully I couldn’t find anything wrong, it’s a great piece, with some cool background flourishes. I’ll await the usual reply about what was used and how. Well done!

Wassup Thunder - More wind sound effects! That is an interesting Wassup synth sound…is it even Wassup? Ah that Eurobeat lead, yep this is Wassup alright. Can’t be Eurobeat without the Orch hits lol The melodies in this one are lovely, but perhaps a little too loud. The drums could also do with a bit of a beef up, to keep up with the thicc melody lines. The idea is great, but I sense a lot of mixing touches to really make this shine. Still sounds good though. Good job!

BJKMenu - Interesting melody there. It’s quite loose and very funky. It’s practically close to falling off lol. The bassline is awesome in this, although I must concede I don’t know what the chords are doing. Maybe it’s an IDM kind of thing. The melody lasted for two seconds, before it yeeted out of existence. There seems to be a lack of structure here, and that makes me think I’m missing out on a potential troll here (I don’t mean that in any disrespect). It sounds quite the fun tune, but that is quite weird I must say, especially the ending. It has potential, good job!

Koekepan - Koekepan going deeep! And exhibiting a rare case of him going techno. Wait this is actually Psytrance lol. This is the most danceable Koekepan entry ever. That is one lovely arp. Really digging the percussive developments in this! It’s quite the progressive piece. The vocal work is also lovely in this, both in the synth and acoustic style sense. Sometimes I can’t tell which is which lol. This is a fine Koekepan entry, the chords is great, the drums are killer, and the mixing is great too! Thick basslines. Just lovely stuff, absolutely worth a vote, but shame it cannot be voted on! Amazing work!

Ashka - Yay my favourite has returned!(Although I will not be doing any favouritism in this compo, I will end up failing with this one. 99% of your entries has always ended up with a first place vote, you are that talented.) I’m definitely in for a treat, as this is almost 6 minutes, and it’s a live jam, so this should be cool. Deep bass pads kicks us off, followed by those dreamy chords. Damn I’m already in love, what did I tell you. How do you do this awesomeness! The bass pad is thicc, but when it combines with the rest of the chords, it’s just lovely! I am relaxed in the shores of the night. Perfect fit for the images. Slow ambience is hard to get right, as you need to keep it sustained for so long, pick the right chords, not have any sounds overstay it’s welcome, and to keep you hooked into a specific state. You’ve succeeded in all of this. It’s super dreamy and calming, and I don’t feel uncomfortable at all throughout my listen. I vote in real time, as I listen, so right now, this is already a first place vote. You are always on another level! No surprise I picked this for the top spot! Although I nearly picked NickC so it was more close than I thought. Still thought you came on top. Incredible work dude!

THEGREATDESTROYER22 - Another ambient piece! This time with a more spaceship like drone and a more creepier drone. Truthfully either moods work for the images. One makes you relaxed and the other makes you feel like it’s not over or something. Singing has appeared! Taking after CotMM eh? I knew it runs in the family! I was actually expecting full ambience for this, but light percussive taps and singing also works for me. It’s quite a horror piece, not a light listen at all lol. Loving the dynamic change in the middle! Really adds a more harsh tone, and more louder voice. It’s really unique this! Gonna give you this one, I was really captivated. Well done!

DDRKirby(ISQ) - Perfect time to bring up the classic sound effect. I wonder how many tracks you’ve made using that water pouring effect? The chords are very Synthwavey and I’m all for it. That melody is almost a bit Medieval sounding too (Just like Souperion’s). I’m digging those triplets in the drums! This is a sick ocean vibe, with lots of great changes. That whale sound completes it, this could fit into Echo the Dolphin. So angry this cannot be on the top 3, this was amazing! Awesome work!

Nukage - Not pulling any punches. Already starting hard, and quite different than what I was expecting from Nukage. It’s got a really nice dreamy melody in this mist of an Epic time. Semi Orchestral with some really thick drums. The drop does not compensate in regards to loud. Jesus Christ it’s full on clipping damn. I get what you are going for, but I had to tone down my volume, it was very loud, I’m sorry. However the rest was awesome, but that drop was a bit….much. Sorry dude, good job!

Dex - For such a peaceful theme we sure are getting a lot of heavy tunes, be it rock, techno or even Eurobeat. That is a really lovely guitar melody, and classic Dex drum combo. Nice breakdown, makes it closer to a country vibe than a rock vibe, which is like a genre fusion I dig it a lot. Nothing else to say, it’s pretty good, well done!

Coloradoweeks - Colorado breaking the 3 minute barrier? Say it ain’t so! These are some smooooth chords. Damn that bass drop, you’ve been going to town on that new fender of yours. The drums are also surprisingly live sounding too, did you acquire a new drum kit as well lol. Track reminds me of the Spice Girls a bit. Singing is incredible as always, although you’d better watch your vocal levels a little (I say this every week I’m sorry lol) The rest though is gorgeous though, and that bass playing just makes this experience. Even doing the vocal do’s. Taking away JH Sounds job lol. Besides the almost loud vocals, everything was absolutely beautiful, so upset this cannot be voted on. Amazing work!

NickC - Harp sounds in beautiful degrees! Those string sounds are wow! Almost creeping on Ashka level harmony here damn. Lots of really sweet wholesome parts. Loving the triplet music box in this, adds a nice rhythmical element to the piece. This is some seriously incredible melody chords. The stabby synth was unexpected for this style, but I’m not complaining it really adds something cool to this! Absolutely voting worthy this was gorgeous. Almost went into a debate between you and Ashka for the top spot, it was that good, but in the end I picked you 2nd! Incredible work dude!

Misael.K - More pads! First I thought heavy music such as rock would take the stage, but no, it’s now pads lol. Wasn’t expecting singing for this, but I’m all for it! I love how nicely mixed the vocals are, even though the overall tone is muffled. But this is not your singing, this might be how you’ve mixed it. The layers of pads really makes this psychedelic, and hazy. I do like the drums, but as I said with THEGREATDESTROYER’s entry, this could be better without drums. I don’t know the pads really scream for this to be full on ambient. But it’s not the worst thing, taste is personal. I do dig how you’ve arranged it, each development is different than the rest, but yet keeps all of the familiarity from the rest of the track. I still think this is a solid entry, with lots of lovely ideas, definitely voting worthy! Awesome work!

Arcana - Lots of 4 minute pieces this week. And I’m not taking one or two, but nearly 8 on total lol. That pad sounds is very Aquatic Ambience. The whole thing reminds me of Donkey Kong lol. That is a nice touch to use a Vocoder on your track, really adds a robotic but calming feel. It’s different and I like it. The chords and little melody noodles also adds a lovely touch too. The drums are bringing this into modular territories. The bass notes can be a little out of tune at times, but I think this might be intentional. This is semi dreamy. The only thing I would say besides the out of tune bass notes, is to reduce the harshness of the hi-hat (If anything I would just go full ambient in my opinion and loose the drums). As well as a few mixing touches. But this is again a very cool Arcana entry! Lots of potential, good job!

DJohn - Daaaayyyvvviiddddd!!! I’ve missed your OHC appearances man! Your music is always a treat! That is a lovely lo-fi guitar playing some sad chords! Your vocals are quite intimate in this, really emotional. Lots of lovely changes, really relaxing. Lovely stop and start motion for each section, great transitions. Guitar and voice is only two instruments, but some right, you can really make it sing! And you certainly did, this is lovely! After an insanely hard delegation this ended up being third on my list! Amazing work!

Top 3 - Ashka, NickC, DJohn.

Choosing the third place was incredibly hard. So many amazing entries! Even the top 2 was a close call, it’s not easy voting for compo you know lol.

It’s so sad when these entries are denied a spot on the list, I hate having to sacrifice an amazing entry for another amazing entry :( 

These deserved a vote:

Souperion (Your best entry to date! Loved this one)

Koekepan (Amazing trance, another vote worthy entry)

DDRKirby(ISQ) (Absolutely sick, so mad this can’t be on)

Coloradoweeks (Another incredible entry denied on the list. Why must you do this to me!)

Misael.K (Another amazing entry that is worthy on the list)

Awesome - Lyra_183, Souperion, JH Sounds, Koekepan, Ashka, THEGREATDESTROYER22, DDRKirby(ISQ), Dex, Coloradoweeks, NickC,  Misael.K, DJohn.

Needs Work - DarkShadow, Wassup Thunder, BJKMenu, Nukage, Arcana.

1. Darkest Ocean
   DJohn
2. dark waters
   coloradoweeks
3. Beneath the surface
   Dex

1. Submarine Engine Love Pump
   Koekepan
2. Deep Gleam
   ashka
3. Dark Depths
   DDRKirby(ISQ)

Lots of great entries!

Koekepan: great production from you! killed it with this entry.

ashka: beautiful pads and movement.

DDRKirby(ISQ): pretty and well produced.

coloradoweeks: very sexy.

DJohn: acoustic ftw.

awesum: ashka, coloradoweeks, DDRKirby(ISQ), DJohn, JH Sounds, Koekepan, NickC.
good: Arcana, bjkmenu, DarkShadow, Dex, Lyra_183, nukage, Souperion, THEGREATDESTROYER22, Wassup Thunder.