Quarl AIM 2022 Review
Composition/Structure (0-10), Production (0-10), Emotion (0-10), Relevance to Artwork (0-10)
Zechnition, 3am Waltz: 5,10,10,5 (30/40)
Very romantic concept right at the beginning Zech, I just wanted to take a second to express that I loved being able to hear the keyboard compressions on the instrument that begin to play 12 seconds into the track. It's probably not going to affect the score much as I continue my review but my initial impression was to ponder memorably on keyboards of my past. I currently play on a weighted electric piano but I totally remember that soft sound that a keyboard makes when you play with velocity. You're tearing me apart with that little audible Easter egg.
I can totally agree with Random-Story in her review (this is the first review I'm writing while seeing another judge's opinions) and it does sound like you had a little too much fun making unexpected choices. Some of the decisions seemed brilliant but I had trouble on subsequent playthroughs because I never knew what was going to happen. It was so jarringly structured that I couldn't fall in love with much before you changed things completely. Any of the sections would have made a fine motif for this character you've defined but all of it happening at once was "masturbatory" writing. It was an incredibly written song in some respects but at the same time, only a parent could unconditionally love it. Throw us a bone and give us a rest from all of the unpredictability. If this scene is actually meant to be contemplative, don't make such a distracting piece of music. Let us look at the moon and chill a little, some breathing room to meditate. Musicality is impressive when a band can come together and perform it as a unit but EDM actually benefits from a hook or anthem.
An old jazz adage goes "it's the notes you don't play that are just as important as the notes you do play." Though great artists like Mozart and Thelonious Monk are regarded for defending the notes they did play. Sometimes you have to buckle down and write something less manic to suit a commission or competition. You won't always be writing for yourself.
The night sky is often silent and frozen but your melodies and rhythms are on fire while seemingly belonging in some other scene or moment. If the entire song sounded like that part between 2:40 and 2:52 I'd have been a little more satisfied, THEN YOU SEGUE INTO A HAPPY MEAL JINGLE AT 2:53 THIS SONG IS SO RANDOM but don't worry Zechnition I still love you. There are elements to this song that I love a lot, you have some serious spirit and thank you for taking the time to mention how you felt. You didn't write much but you wrote enough to sway my feelings a little. Too many people failed to take advantage of the author's comments to bridge conceptual gaps, you nailed it using so few words. I have no problem handing you a perfect score for emotion and the production was actually surprisingly clean and well mixed. I have nothing to say about those elements but the other aspects that were brought up are too jarring.
I'm sorry if this review is a let down because you have some killer sounds. While you can continue doing you, I might recommend a "less is more" approach in future contests. You can always write the way you wish, you may do so to your heart's content but keep in mind that to stay competitive you might have to write something that you don't love as much. You have a good one Zechnition and I'll be looking out for you in the future :]
(An extra note added at the time I'm posting this review, with complex ideas it can take time to grow on a listener. I'm liking this track much more one month after initially hearing it. Being a performing artist, sometimes you have to learn the ins and outs of a complex song before it can grow on you. That's a risky maneuver for a competition where the goal involves sharing the spotlight with the illustrator. The illustration was gorgeous but very simple. You're music overshadows the art, maybe pick something with more complexity next time to better compliment the style you love to write? In any case, cheers and love!)