One Hour Compo - Round 812 (OHC812)
Votes (6)
-
Going Down Again
nukage -
judge and jury
coloradoweeks -
Fall
voider.
-
judge and jury
coloradoweeks -
Wherever It Leads
Misael.K -
like a bird _
starla
All comments are replied to on discord, so this section is irrelevant. Onto the voting!
TheVideoGamer - This track is a very simple one if you look at it from the perspective of my DAW, but in reality there is a lot that gets added over time, even if subtle, and the chord progression itself spans 16 bars roughly taking up 30 seconds of music, so it's not annoying in any capacity. Really the track is all about progression from start to finish. The arp is playing mostly 1/2 of a bar of material, nonstop throughout, the chords also loop, and the chords utilize a pad with a phase element to make it more science fiction like, even though the theme is of a feather. The melody is played on 3 synths, although they all work as 3 different lines, rather than melodies because they all come in at different times. The melody itself is also not rhythmically complex, mostly conforming to a quarter notes or 8th notes. The break is just a standard Norman Cook sample pack break, chopped up and processed with a lot of delay, and also looped throughout to serve both as the anchor, and also to accentuate any of the rhythmical ideas presented here. All in all it's not a fancy piece, but i think not only does it get the job done, it's really interesting sonically. Glad you liked it!
Koekepan - Nice string pads, it's the classic Spacey Koekepan sound i know and love. You have such a signature pad sound, i couldn't really imagine you with any other sound lol. The mallet sounds in this don't do much to the track as a whole, but they would make the track a little on the empty side without it. The track definately doesn't conjure up feathers for me, but what it does do, is provide that lovely cold ambience i really dig from you. Lots of great textures in this too, from the phasing and flanging, to the cool panning. That's something you don't often see in a Koekepan track. Honestly this one was really dope, awesome work!
cotmm68030 - Welcome back, i'd though you were gone for a minute lol. No 6 minutes, i guess you've run out of juice for a 6 minute cut haha. This one is very cool, it's like a sea of distorted pads, making something that blurs the line between calm relaxing ambience, and slight melancholic industrial textures. For the most part though, this is probably the most melodic CotMM entry we have heard this year, and i love it. Extremely beautiful melody ideas, soft slow brooding pads, this is not really a CotMM type beat, it shares more similarities with Koekepan, which it's fine, there's nothing wrong with that, i love me some soft ambience. Some parts were definately added to keep it from being too peaceful, because it almost adds a bit of NickC type dissonance here. Either way i loved this, it was beautiful and relaxing, and whilst unexpected from you, it was amazing. I wanted this to be on the list so badly, but i can only choose 3, definately voting worthy. Awesome work!
LillyMeadows - Lots of returning favourites here, it's like a class reunion lol. I don't know why but that bassline reminds me of Blur and i'm not sure why it gives me that impression. The drum work is very tight, i totally feel the kick in my headphones. The bassline is as close to the 80's feel as we can go. Pads were very cool, kind of ethereal, and it prevents it from being mostly a bassline piece. Although i understand time is of the essence in these compo's, i did feel kind of underwhelmed here (Apologies for any offense). I feel we could take this a lot further, with the addition of some kind of melody, like a lead synth, or even more emphasis on the ambience by the addition a keyboard or mallet sound to make it pop. Still though it was a great start, the track can definately be taken further so don't be discouraged. Good job!
DarkShadow - Saws and Kicks. The DarkShadow classic combo is here. The bassline is extra saw-toothy today, and the melody was more of a slow developer, unlike some of your other tracks, where the melody is immediate. I did like some elements of the melodic ideas here, i felt like a chord progression was coming through, but since it's only 57 you decided to use it more towards the end. Not my favourite from you not gonna lie, but it was a very cool piece, i liked it. Good job!
Nukage - Ok this is a very cool intro, i almost couldn't tell what key were in, yet i was weirdly satisfied by it. Vocal work is great, although more of a background element than a main ingredient, but that's fine, i knew it was deliberate. The drop was awesome though, i just love the reverse drum effect, it's my favourite. It just accentuate so much to the groove. The slowdown effects were also sick and refreshing. Bass work is extremely thicc in this, really pleases my ears lol. Honestly the whole thing was absolutely fire. Super sick mixing, amazing melody work, just a strong Nukage track from start to finish. So sad it can't be on the list but i can only choose 3, awesome work!
Voider - Pretty pads. This seems to be pad week, but i'm not complaining i love it. Keyboard synth was unexpected, but i'm all for it! Delay effects were quite tasty, really loving the soft nature of the whole thing. Wasn't sure if drums were needed, but thankfully it's not obtrusive, and only adds a subtle element to the track. Really the whole thing shines with the thick pads and keyboard melodies. It's extremely dope stuff, lots of great melodic ideas, definately voting worthy, awesome work!
DDRKirby(ISQ) - More pretty pads! I'm telling you everyone went for the pad sounds. Man those are some sick chords, it's distinctively DDR sounding, but with some really cool spices thrown in! That melody is awesome, but what do i expect, you are a great melody maker after all. Whole thing is Chiptune Synthwave if it's a thing, but with a more hyper beat than normal synthwave. Love the middle section, it's a lot more rhythmical but doesn't loose the great melodies. Man this was just a wonderful piece of music, so annoyed i can't vote for it, because it deserves to be on the list. Awesome work!
Coloradoweeks - Damn what are these chords!? It sounds close to a normal progression, but the way it's played it's not normal at all i love it! It sounds like a violin, but i don't think it is. I also hear a cello but it's kind of tuned weird, it might be a synth. The vocal style is more breathy, and it works amazingly well for this type of beat (Well not really a beat, it's basically ambient lol). Harmonisation is awesome, i mean you are known for incredible singing, but i'm especially into this one, the seasonings on those chords got me. I just love this one so much, in fact i ended up putting it on the top spot, man it was good, incredible work!
Cerfueil - Ooh interesting chords, i like how you've faded them in and out. There is a lot of piano work here, practically unplayable as a human, but not if you are a robot lol. It can be a bit much piano for my liking no gonna lie, however do appreciate how well you've crafted a melody from that progression. Drum work was frantic, almost close to drill and bass level of frantic. The ending was quite interesting to be honest, the melody there was nice. I found it amusing hearing you add a sudden piano chord to finish the whole thing. I did like a lot of the elements of this piece, it definately is unique, but the excessive in your face piano style, kind of leaves the rest of the instruments pushed aside. I could see more experimentation with this, it has a lot of potential it's a cool idea. Good job!
Misael.K - Thick basslines here, quite twangy. That melody is very cool, has such a tasty delay added to the sound, really goes well with the bassline. The chords are super bright, even more so than the classic 7th chord. The chord progression in this one is extremely catchy and honestly slightly unique, i love it. I do like how the drums have a subtle swing to it, that you wouldn't notice if you weren't paying attention. Great idea to Jumpscare a techno beat in the middle of the soft melody, that was both ear catching, and of course scared the crap out of me. Seriously there is some insanely good melody work in this track, really propels the groove along. Although you are known for some seriously good tunes, this might be one of your strongest so far (I know this changes a lot), it's just very catchy stuff. So catchy i decided to place you on the 2nd spot, incredible work!
Arcana - Nice harpsichord sound, i sense you are replicating the Bach sound. The vocals are great, but i don't think they work with the Baroque sound, as the singing style is more modern pop, in a nice way i totally see this more of an instrumental piece. That doesn't mean the vocal work was unlistenable, but the weird effects did kind of come across as a little odd, it felt like an alien voice in the middle of a harpsichord piece. If vocals were to be added, i see it with mostly plain processing, as i think it works better here. That being a slight delay and reverb going on. Still though don't be discouraged, i must commend you on the wicked baroque backing that was some strong stuff, good job!
Meistr - Funky! The harmonisation on the vocals were amazing. The drum work is modern but also played in a way that is kind of refreshing. The drop wasn't a massive statement, but it was satisfying as hell. I noticed the bassline sort of dropped a little towards the end, and i noticed it with the lack of low-end in that point. It is very short, barely scraping a minute, and with such a short length you do try and cram in as much as possible, so i had to play it roughly 4 times to get my thoughts down. However as much as i felt there is potential here, what was presented was very nice. It is hard with short tracks like this, but the vocal work was incredible, and the track had a lot of cool moments, so i'll give you this one. Well done!
DJohn - Mate It's not Sadboy Sunday yet! I'm writing this on a Monday. I didn't know you also made sadboi tracks on a Thursday. Should this one be called Teary Thursday (Ok not the best name) lol. All jokes aside this is absolutely beautiful, which i'm not surprised, you are an incredible singer, and the piano work was executed perfectly. Sure it's not a fancy track, but a piano backing and singing voice is sometimes all you need to make a great piece of music. Loved the fakeout at the end, it's almost like you weren't finished with what you had to say. Yeah seriously there's nothing bad to say, this was wonderful. So annoyed this cannot be on the list, but i can only choose 3, but if there was a 4th place this would be on the list. Amazing work!
NickC - Cool sound effects! The drum work is very intense, i had just recently listened to a Ceephax album and this track is very music reminding me of his sound, minus the 303 work. The pads are ethereal as hell, and work so well with the frantic nature of the drums, it's what Drill and Bass was designed for. Can't be NicK without the random chromatic notes. This is probably the hardest Nick entry i've ever heard, the drums are insanely distorted in a great way! The arp at the end was criminally underused, why did you end on such a catchy melodic idea, dammit! Sure it's quite an aggressive piece, but i listen to Gabber regularly so this is nothing to me lol. Honestly it's a little spicy melody wise, but i love it, i think it's a unique melody that really captivates me. Yeah i just love this one, definately deserving to be on the list, amazing work!
Starla - That is one mangled drum break, almost as if it's underwater. It's been a while since you've entered, but that's ok, means i get to look forward to it. Damn these are some high quality chords, it's extremely pretty. Vocal work is amazing as always, damn OHC has so many incredible singers and songwriters. I'm the best as coming up with a beat and that's about it lol. The harmonisation is just soo nice, the chord progression just has all these wonderful seasonings to expand on a simple D Bm A G progression (Although it doesn't sound simple to me). Yeah i just loved this one, damn you guys are talented, this one was enough for me to place it on the third spot it was that good, incredible work!
Dex - Unexpected late entry from Dex, which i didn't find out until replying to comments on discord. Means i can't vote for it, but i'll give it the respect it deserves. That is one sexy guitar tone, kind of muffled but in a deliberate way it pairs nicely with the chords. The chords have a sort of cinematic quality to the sound. Love the subtle piano line in the back, it really adds a nice timbre quality to the sound. This is a very pretty use of the pentatonic scale. I feel like i'm floating on a cloud it's great. I wasn't expecting some of these chords from you, i wasn't gonna lie, but man it's great. Rock part was great, subverted expectations as i thought we were gonna go for a straight up lo-fi ambient-ish piece, but nope it's rock. Honestly this slaps, you have some sick melodic ideas here, well done!
Top 3 - Coloradoweeks, Misael.K, Starla.
Choosing 3 was especially hard this week, you guys brought a lot of extremely high quality productions to the table. So this was after a lot of delegating.
These entries were incredible and deserve to be on the list:
Koekepan
cotmm68030 (Man this was awesome, so sad i can't vote for it, but i can only choose 3)
DDRKirby(ISQ) (Another incredible entry i cannot vote for, choosing 3 is hard!)
Nukage (Same for this one, i can only vote for 3)
Voider
NickC (This awesome entry cannot be voted for, my god it's hard!)
DJohn (If there was a 4th place this would be it, it's beautiful man. So annoyed i can only choose 3)
Awesome - Kokepan, cotmm68030, Nukage, Voider, DDRKirby(ISQ), Coloradoweeks, Misael.K, Meistr, DJohn, NickC, Starla, Dex.
Needs Work - LillyMeadows, DarkShadow, Cerfueil, Arcana.
-
pennaceous descent
cotmm68030 -
Fly Away
DDRKirby(ISQ) -
judge and jury
coloradoweeks
cotmm68030: floating gently like a feather.
DDRKirby(ISQ): soaring the sky like a feather.
coloradoweeks: soft to the touch like a feather.
awesum: coloradoweeks, cotmm68030, DarkShadow, DDRKirby(ISQ), DJohn, Meistr, NickC, nukage, starla, TheVideoGamer, voider..
good: Cerfeuil, Koekepan, LillyMeadows.