Quarl AIM 2022 Review
Composition/Structure (0-10), Production (0-10), Emotion (0-10), Relevance to Artwork (0-10)
ShepDeathWoods, A Joy In An Apple: 10,9,10,9
Lovely instrumentation, loved the diverse set of sounds you chose to use. I started to hyperventilate during the first listen because of how much I liked everything while simultaneously noting that I needed to keep my bias in check so I could judge you as critically as I judged everyone else. I can totally nit-pick issues and had to focus on that kind of neurotic stuff to help sort out my score sheets and make things fair but do understand that I loved this track a lot. The techy drums were my cup of tea but they came off as a strength you leaned into and not necessarily something that benefit qualities of the illustration. I'm not sure if the percussion reflects the art at all. I like to lean into my strengths too but going full house towards the end of the song was just you showing off, admit it. I'm giving you tops in emotion for having fun with it and sharing your thoughts & feelings. The track is wonderfully written. The melodic elements were inspired and gentle, the progressions matched the mood and energy of the image well. This makes me want to write some gentle house.
The water, wind, and chime noises brought a connection to the art powerfully by transporting us to a natural setting. I really pushed people to focus on using atmospheric samples to transport us into the image, many might have benefit from a few more elements like those you demonstrated. I can see a bird flying in the background. Some samples of birds chirping or cawing might have fit the song perfectly. Mountains in the background implies slow tectonic movements and I personally can feel a connection to those slow off beat drum rhythms throughout the majority of the track. Nature often lacks clear rhythm but a day-to-day structure is visible to anyone that monitors it. This song explores so many musical ideas wonderfully.
The first thing I found myself taking a point off for was production because honestly you could boost these sounds a little more. Just because something is loud doesn't mean it can't be gentle, soothing, or mixed perfectly. I turned the music all the way up to better hear everything. Many critics will nit-pick a brick but a near brick can still be perfectly mixed without mudding up unnecessarily. Too many artists mix on the quiet side gimping the power of their delivery on certain speakers, probably afraid that they'll over compress and brick but you really don't know your own limits until you've mixed a few bricks. This track has a lot of space left over but even that house section towards the end could have used a little more bass. For such an abundance of beautiful song writing I found myself craving a little extra volume. I could have plugged this into my PA system for some more volume but you have to consider that your listeners might not have a PA system and you're handing them a song that won't bump the way you want it to when limited to their equipment. This is a very small mastering issue but it's what I'm going to take a point off for, sorry my dear. I'm also going to take a point off structure for hitting me out of the blue with that house segment. It sounds lovely, amazing really but does it belong here relative to the illustration? It's a question I'm rolling around in my head and I hate that I even have to think about it. How about I give you a 10 for structure/composition and I take off one point to relevance for just not using enough atmospheric sound effects?
I'm having such a hard time justifying your scores, please forgive me for the points I've taken off. Please have a nice day ShepDeath, and know that I loved this with almost all of my heart :3