Xinxinix's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[g2ngre]

Conceptually, a LOT like my favorite musician WaxTerk, but you've managed to take the dystopic, computer-virus-ish-y genre and turn it either on its head or into something completely unique.

I enjoy the different chances to hear small, compacted styles within a long-running song such as this. There is a lot of muddy-ness and not nearly enough high-tones in the middle of the beginning half, but by the middle of the song those high-note chords save the lifeblood of the main melody. The mix feels like it can use some polishing in a few places, but by the time I reach the vocal sample for "Aperture Science" I am fully invested and very glad to have made it that far.

Well done, very dystopic, and charming in a way as well ^^

Circleguy78 responds:

thanks for the comment xinxinix! my mixing game is definitely not the strongest as well as making consistent and good flowing melodies. i appreciate the specifics in the feedback so i can keep note to improve those points for future songs :]

[Take A Hike]

This is a very well placed combative orchestra where everyone kind of gets their piece and is able to flow and shine alongside the other instrumental sections.

The core progression being extremely clean, and not afraid to give a different instrument the spotlight. It's pleasant, nature-y, and nurturing. Clean precision on allowing the focus to be on a "band" of instruments rather than having any other synths ^^

ZaazNG responds:

Thank you so much, Xin! I try to balance my orchestral writing as much as I can without having it become too cluttered, "Nature" is definitely the theme I was going for with this music, I'm really glad you liked it! :)

[Pixel Hearts]

Very interesting way to approach a minimalistic concept with droning, reverberating lyrics to fill out wherever a chiptune/pixelated approach might fail at for supplying more girth to a soundtrack's idea or theme.

I like it. It's a *small* bop, but it's definitely an estranged bop that I can get down to. There's a lot of hidden emotion underlying the bones of this track.

Much love.

bubblemachine responds:

Thank you for the kind review!

[The Canyons (Adventure of Leek OST)]

Very sharp, consistent Connor Grail-type beat, but there's an element of surprise in how much addition *fun* you can season into the instrumental by feeling like it's hopping around on its feet.

There's the obvious frame for a song that feels good on loop, but this one takes it in stride while adding just enough touch to consider it familiar, yet characteristic to the game its representing.

Nicely done, Connor ^^

ConnorGrail responds:

thank u xinxinix, glad you like this canyon tune

[199X]

Very concise song, that leaves its essence onto a single track, like a train heading towards a specific station.

There's sci-fi elements, a droning feel, and a ever-present emotional lack that pilots the idea of being in an apocalyptic scenario. Delightful chords that focus on bringing in mystique while the main arpeggio keeps doing its thing without overwhelming the main narrative.

I do wish the guitar riffs were much more grittier and contained more highs to better give a deterministic feel, but altogether a very well-focused track ^^

xZiriusX responds:

glad you liked it Xin!

[SHIFT THOSE PIXELS!]

It's whacky and wild, and especially playful, which is what you would want from a game titled "PARALLEL PAN!C" :v

There is a lack of dynamics within the chord progressions, but that isn't especially relevant in this case. It came, it did its thang, and then it went.

Well done ~ ^^

Prutte responds:

Thanks for the feedback and comments!! Really appreciate it <3

[Squared Modern Nihilism]

There's a strong fantasy element that turns into a wise way of feeling absolutely dreamy.

It's not droning as much as it is grounding and complacent in a good way. Reality chimes in with those unique chords applying dissonance to each other to compliment some kind of soft mood. I do feel there is a lack of wanting to be verbose or have an extremely vibrant payoff to those build-ups. I would love to just lose myself at a full part of an extremely volume-filled instrumental at some point.

Very nice and charming T.T

Santi-Montali responds:

Thanks for your comment, really appreciate it! I agree completely with this since I've also felt there could be more climax and less build up

[Confidence Mask]

Definitely a gritty track altogether.

There's heart in that backing, monstrous guitar riff, and the piano solos are very well placed and enthusiastic enough to follow along with its soul-binding keys. A side-scroller beat 'em up bop that would push the player to the next stage very organically.

Keep up the good work, my dude !! ^^

nosoymaxi responds:

Thank you for leaving a comment. Absolutely, the track is gritty. I made the track in a couple of hours to lend it out in time for the "pixel day 2022" event, so I just adjusted the volume a bit. This is not mixed and mastered properly.
Sorry for the delay of my response and thank you for your words. Comments like yours motivate me to continue composing.

[drown me with compliments and I might just care about you]

I think altogether the song thematically hit its exact nail on the head, but there's too much muddy-ness going on with the bass to where the definition of it is never really present, so it takes away from all the clarity going on between the lead instruments and their thematic tango.

Impressive definition of presentation, just that bass takes a bit away from it.

Hairmilked responds:

I definitely understand. Honestly the bass and chords are the only part I synthed myself so I think they could have benefitted from being analog.

I'm really glad that the themes came across well and thank you for your feedback :)

[Hey Look, You Dropped Your "Give Up" Card [JAMUARY DAY 16]]

Super elegant, and somehow peaceful among the usual chaos that's represented in your songs.

I don't know what else to say besides that piano f*cking slaps and it felt like a duel between synths and organic piano instrumentation. That singular beat drop where the piano hits a few keys on its own adds so much damn personality--I was literally taken aback. There's this really strong duel attitude that goes along with how hard that piano is trying to express itself.

Truly a delicate combination of an outspoken piano mixed alongside wild and whacky synths with an ending that takes me back off my feet.

Quarl responds:

You've been reading up on how to gush about music or something? This is the kind of review that deserves a big thank you!

THANK YOU.