1. SUPRISE: The cloud has a health bar!
   Wassup Thunder
2. Pareidolia
   nukage
3. The Chemtrails in your Mind
   Koekepan

also Dex, THEGREATDESTROYER, DDRKirbyISQ, ashka, coloradoweeks were under consideration for a vote.

1. capricious clouds
   NickC
2. Falling Clouds
   handknit
3. Imagination
   Misael.K

It was all about the spacious sense for me, while maintaining a general musical direction. Space means less outside the context of a sense of musical pulse.

1. Take The Clouds This Way
   Arcana
2. summer's end
   coloradoweeks
3. Premonitions
   Lyra_183

1. cirrostratus softly stagnating
   cotmm68030
2. Seen
   ashka
3. Heaven above clouds
   THEGREATDESTROYER22

1. Seen
   ashka
2. cirrostratus softly stagnating
   cotmm68030
3. Imagination
   Misael.K

I've decided to reply to comments manually on discord, as i don't think replying to them here does it justice. So check out OHC on discord if you want to see what i've written. On to the actual voting!

TheVideoGamer - This track is best summed up in 3 key features. 3 piano ostinato's that are played at 3 different tempos, which are then exported to make a twinkly piano effect. (Some would argue it's a polyrhythm, but i wasn't really trying to go for that effect, and mine doesn't really repeat as such. But if you think it is, then that's fine as well, it's all a matter of opinion. I wasn't thinking of this at the time.) This is looped continuously nonstop without any time stretching, just some volume automation on each one, to have them fade in and out as and when they're needed. The 2nd feature is the drums, which for the most part is a very loose and wonky 5/4 percussive loop, and hi-hat pattern, and a 4/4 kick drum with some very intense velocity adjustments included. It results in this very out of sync, but still in time drum beat, that sounds like techno because of the pulse on each of the quarter notes, but with so many accents that it's hard to simply identify a straight 4 on the floor. Many people compare it to IDM, and i can see some similarities, but in theory i was more going for techno, as i think it has a bit of that characteristic style. The last feature is well...the rest. These include, various pad and string chords, either broken or played in full, a 303 line, a bassline and a dynamic lead melody, that is designed to be soft, but not unnoticeable. Each of these elements were designed to match the weird time signature craziness this whole piece is sort of. All in all, it's quite quirky, but still has a lot of theme relevant ideas, i really like what i've done here. Glad you liked it anyways!

DDRKirby(ISQ) - Early start, les goo. Although probably not made with the theme in mind, it's good you at least managed to get something in. Being sleepy is a bit of a problem in these compo's. This is some sick in what i would call Modern Chiptune. It has a lot of the NES style instruments, but with some modern production values, including some thick electro beats, some FX's, and some unique hidden synths in this. Very funky, lots of lovely melody ideas, there's nothing really to say, this was dope! Well done!

THEGREATDESTROYER22 - Nice to hear you singing, always a treat. Really liking the deep pad textures here, you have really gone a long way since i've first heard you. The delay effects were trippy, but super cool! I feel like were in a cave of some sort, despite the theme being a picture of the sky. Without the lyrics, i wouldn't have probably recognise some of the words i'm sorry, but i see it more for it's textural component, than simply just singing/talking. It's quite the unnerving piece, this is not chill at all. The drop was quite unexpected, it actually made me jump lol. This quiet soft plodding beat, is interrupted by essentially Industrial Metal. I feel the vocals at this point, is completely pushed aside by the thick guitar wash in this. Almost like it's a full on distorted assault. It's a very cool idea though! Honestly although some might not like this, i think it's pretty great. It definately has a lot of potential for things to be smoothed out, but it was very dope! Good job!

Lyra_183 - Let's hope i can spot these references. There is some really cool rhythmical ideas in this, it has some really cool beats accented in this. I sadly don't know the name of these T.V shows, but maybe i don't watch too much T.V lol. I definately see a lot of potential here, keep at it! Good job!

cotmm68030 - 6 minute man has returned, but this time with....a piano melody? This is not the CotMM i know. But i definately subscribe to piano and pads, it makes for some lovely pretty music. And boy this is a pretty one. The piano is caked in delay and reverb, and the melody choices are very cool. It's hard to describe it, but it sounds super mystical, almost....adventurous. Pads are wonderful, very soft and filtered, and comes with some lovely seasonings to make this one hell of a pretty chill experience. Maybe it's bias, but i absolutely loved this, super relaxing, amazing chords, arguably one of my favourite entries from you. Soo good i picked it for the 2nd spot i just loved it! Incredible work!

DarkShadow - I feel like when you go over the minute mark (And into the 1 minute 30 area), without any breaks or pauses, it can get a bit too lethargic, i'm sorry. I know i've made music that is just a nonstop of noise, but it's usually it's a troll, or i'm just making some weird decisions in the mist of a strict deadline. I feel with this, without that rest period, it can get a bit....much. However you still provide me with a lot of cool synth sounds and chords, and manic time signature craziness you are just known for, so it's not all bad. Good job!

Handknit - Woah that is a nice melody! I usually expect more textural or granular type sounds from you, but this was actually a surprise. It's quite detuned, practically microtonal harmony. I think this is the result of the synth, and not the result of any processing, but i could be wrong. It's got a very 80's feel within the whole array of sounds. It could also be argued, that this is quite chill, even though the sounds are quite heavy. I also like how it slowly builds up in a more, open space, as if you are increasing the decay. The fadeout and fade in at the end, was....interesting, and the piano line was very.....sharp. I like me some microtonal stuff, but this was....pushing it a bit, to be nice about it. However though, this was my favourite from you so far, simply because you actually did a cool experimental idea, that really works with the melodies. If it wasn't that sharply tuned, it could even be an awesome vote. Still though, it was enjoyable, good job!

Nukage - Beat Juggling is not something i've heard off, but i'm willing to look at. This is quite the downtempo beat, with a nice piano and chord progression. The rising effect into the more open synths was not expected, but i am super welcoming. Morphing from a downtempo beat into a full on Future Bass type beat, but in a more Dubstep setting. Lots of genre blurring here. Really dig how you've laid out this drop here. You've treated it as if your playing a launchpad, with each sound being trigger on a button. It results in a drop, that is more...manipulated and maybe glitchy, than a standard Dubstep drop. I really dig the chords in this as well. Quite a unique one from you, and definately quite catchy, i can return to this, it's great. Awesome work!

Wassup Thunder - Oof that was loud. Sorry dude, it scared me lol. It's not clipping or badly mixed to be honest, it just scared me, especially after my entry haha. At least you got it in, sucks your mouse stopped working. This is quite epic, almost like a final boss battle (The title makes sense lol), if anything too epic. There is peaking in this track, so you can hear some aggressive spikes in some parts of the track. Even though it's only 2 minutes, you pack a lot in this piece, not once do i feel like i'm short on any melodic ideas, or phrases. I would probably tone it down, overall volume wise, and maybe reduce some of the intense choir passages, to avoid any intense peaking, but aside from that, it's pretty great. Not what i think of theme wise, but it was dope. Good job!

Misael.K - Nice bongos there. Sounds like a loop, based on how it clips in each repetition. The chords are very funky damn. That is a nice wah wah synth, close to a 303 me thinks. Although this is a chill image, you were not skimping on the funk, it's quite....sexy. The bass is nice and deep, and the drums are very tight, without being obtrusive. It weirdly reminds me of The Avalanches, even though this is not uplifting or mellow, but it's quite chill. Loving the twinkly arps at the end, you still keep this super interesting, despite it being more of a consistent backing (Kind of a stop and start motion). This is just lovely, extremely catchy and lots of perfect melodic ideas. So awesome i picked you for the third spot! It was between you and NickC and i went with yours. Amazing work!

Ashka - Funny how being rusty, is not an excuse for me, as i usually end up putting you first lol. Those chords are lovely, so many seasonings in this. It's not just major and minor, but full on 9ths and add 9ths, it's just...incredible. The swells in this are just awesome. It really kicks in towards the middle, with a super funky syncopated chord progression, and some wonderful pad chords. Almost like the perfect backing for a beat, but truthfully i can listen to this on it's own. Surprise this is another amazing entry from you. I really don't know how you do it? I've tried so hard to put it down as me just being biased, but....it can't be. It's more than just the chords, it's the layering, the arrangement. It's just no wonder i just love your music soo much. It's also no surprise why i picked you for the top spot on the list. It's just not bias, you are really that talented. This is just another incredible entry, incredible work!

Dex - Sweet piano and double bass like sounds, mixed in with some nice tuba sounds. Drop was great, really placed me into this thick mix of guitars, bass and orchestral sounds. It's quite happy, and puts me in a good mood. Love the switch into the minor key, it really adds a nice breath of pace for what is quite the happy piece. The strings in the 2nd half really makes this, adds a nice Beatles style string arrangement, without it sounding corny or cheesy. Some parts at the end and at the beginning, are a little too thick for my liking (Specifically in regards to the brass), more mixing and adjusting could work to really make it shine, but aside from that it's a lovely well structured piece, with some great melodies, but also a lot of potential. Good job!

Koekepan - Chill Koekepan in full swing! Lots of hazy semi-psychedelic sounds in this. Feels like were sort of Lucid Dreaming. The twang sound effects (That's what i call them), were interesting and added a layer of texture to the piece, but one could argue is a little...odd, but i don't hate them at all. I really like how the track introduces more pads and rhodes pianos to the mix, to amplify the calm hazy nature of it all. The rhodes is probably a little too into the mix, but this one is a little on the nitpicky side. I do love how you filter the sounds, to make for a dynamic textural wash, instead of just having the pads play in a static motion. This is just...pretty, aided by some super cool psychedelic textures in this. Love this, definately voting worthy, awesome work!

NickC - That's a lovely opening chord. It isn't consonant but it's not dissonant at the same time. I like these unpredictable and unusual chords, lots of great changes. Some parts are a little...interesting note wise, but usually it gets resolved within a minute. Besides this is NickC were talking about, you never make anything purely consonant. This is super chill, with some lovely pad chords, on a really lovely synth, and some really lovely movement. Love how you keep it nice and smooth, as well as really have the chill factor locked in. Absolutely beautiful. Another awesome piece from you, so upset this cannot be on the list, but i can only choose 3, amazing work!

Coloradoweeks - Ooh that is a lovely chord progression, especially mixed with the pads. That chord at the end of each loop is super satisfying. The live bass playing in this just makes it, there's nothing like the power of a real bass to sooth your soul. Loving the fills in this, it's really sick. Singing is just incredible as always, i don't know why i have to keep reminding you that. Your vocal harmonization is just on another level, i wouldn't even get half as good as you. Lots of wonderful changes, this is another amazing bop from you (Minus the lack of ending, or even release lol), i was absolutely heartbroken this couldn't be on the list, but i can only choose 3. Amazing work!

Arcana - That is a really nice string chord progression, it's semi-uplifting in a way, but mixes well with that trance vibe. Kick drum is beautifully mixed, and goes super well with the synth work. Bassline is quite strong in this, but not overpowering. Some parts of your autotune personally feel off, but it doesn't ruin the experience. When the drop hits, everything is really nicely mixed, but the vocals are quite....lost. I think one of your automations is switched off or something, as it's super...quiet. If the vocal was more present, and maybe slightly adjusted, i would have probably even given you the potential vote, because the rest was just great. Good job though!

JH Sounds - Fun Fact: Did you know this was apparently the first use of Autotune in a commercial pop song? That's what i've read, so for all i know, it could have been debunked. When you said cover, i was expecting singing in this, but i supposed piano, strings and drums work as well. Even if it's not an original piece, it's still got your flair, with a lot of great piano work and strings. I know you'll say this is just "phoning it in", but i think this was great, and i'll still give you this Awesome work rating. Well done!

Top 3 - Ashka, cotmm68030, Misael.K.

I was debating between Misael and NickC for the third spot, but in the end Misael won, on the basis that Nick had one or too notes that were maybe a little too...dissonant overall in the track. Both are still amazing though!

These entries were so amazing, they too deserved to be on the list:

Nukage (Super unique, i would have loved for this to be on)

Koekepan (Loved this, shame it can't be on)

Coloradoweeks (I am heartbroken this cannot be on. It's sooo good! Whyyyy!)

NickC (I so wanted this to be on, it's amazing.....)

Awesome - DDRKirby(ISQ), cotmm68030, Nukage, Misael.K, Ashka, Koekepan, NickC, Coloradoweeks, JH Sounds.

Needs Work - THEGREATDESTROYER22, Lyra_183, DarkShadow, Handknit, Wassup Thunder, Dex, Arcana.

1. summer's end
   coloradoweeks
2. cirrostratus softly stagnating
   cotmm68030
3. The Chemtrails in your Mind
   Koekepan

coloradoweeks: delicious harmonies and grooves.

cotmm68030: super fluffy and warm.

Koekepan: delightfully meditative.

awesum: ashka, coloradoweeks, cotmm68030, DDRKirby(ISQ), Koekepan, NickC, nukage, THEGREATDESTROYER22, TheVideoGamer.
good: Arcana, DarkShadow, Dex, handknit, JH Sounds, Lyra_183, Wassup Thunder.

1. SUPRISE: The cloud has a health bar!
   Wassup Thunder
2. Seen
   ashka
3. summer's end
   coloradoweeks

1. The Chemtrails in your Mind
   Koekepan
2. summer's end
   coloradoweeks
3. Heaven above clouds
   THEGREATDESTROYER22

floaty