Solacitude's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Main Theme (TeeTiny Online Soundtrack)]

Congratulations for your first game project! It sounds very good, epic, and interesting from start to end with the build up, the load of subtle and carefully implemented elements adding up without ever being too much until reaching maximum intensity that gives an actually very epic vibe to the piece! Quite funny I found you just before you post this one by scanning through older music on the audio portal! It's inspiring to see artists sharing such accomplishments on NewGrounds!

JessieYun responds:

Hahaha! Thank you for checking out my profile and my music too! I’m very glad you enjoyed the track :)) this accomplishment was possible thanks to Newgrounds, so I am definitely much obliged to share it with everyone <3

[The Great Descent]

You sure master the orchestral epic style! I would see this one as a trailer for a thriller movie.
I know what it feels like to work on a couple not so satisfying ideas then being stuck on a very tight time frame to complete a composition! It happened a couple times during this contest, only having 30-40 seconds of good material up until the last 5-6 days. It adds a bit of stress to the process! When inspiration is there it can be easy to compose something good in 2 days, but when it's forced by deadline and inspiration is not there, it can get more complicated. Nevertheless you managed to craft a very nice listening experience despite the short time frame! Congrats on getting into the final!

CloakedSoup responds:

Haha for sure! I wrote the piano sketch for the first 25 seconds or so last Wednesday (the 13th), and everything after 2:50 was written in the last 2-3 hours before I submitted it. I had like 3-4 minutes of alternative ideas that I never used (including one 30 second Americana/Western style idea that was reminiscent of 'See You Tomorrow' from HTTYD in terms of the arrangement style and complexity of the orchestration). Regardless, I'm happy I was able to get this out in time!

[Nightfall]

You always have a very nice way of telling stories in your compositions. Episodic but very well integrated, it often makes me think of what can be found in older movies, when productions cared more about high quality compositions rather than attention grabbing material that can be produced more quickly. It shows that you care about details a lot, and it results in high quality pieces that never fail to evoke some kind of scenery.

HollandAlbright responds:

Thank you so much! I also like the really melody-driven film scores, and nowadays when they are intentional about having memorable melodies and themes, they stand out from the rest (and can stand on their own later on). Thanks again!

[Return]

The unspoken words that you transmit through music are meaningful beyond the conscious world. I feel in the beginning the violin questioning in disbelief "Why?", the sadness and frustration coming in bursts of very strong emotions. The attempts to comfort at some point despite the dire situation... But it's everything together, the tone, the dynamics, the tempo, etc that create a strong connection to what your mind had to say while you were composing.

This piece comes from the heart, and it can be felt intensely! It brought goosebumps at first, then became almost overwhelming :'( Extremely sad, beautiful and mindful piece.

Phonometrologist responds:

You are quite generous with your words. I continue to be surprised that there are any that understand it so well and know it deeply. Not often, but a few. That still comes as a surprise; for when you capture something in flow, even when alone, it doesn't become void.
I'm not confident that I even understand it. We are of the same standing. It's beyond me.
Thank you for your contribution.

[Survive the Night]

Very nice and well developed themes! The spookiness is very well represented in each section, maybe as you said other than this little skeletons part "Screw the horror element, I wanted to make something cute!" I imagined these skeletons with sombrero dancing happily. It's still spooky enough for Halloween I think :) Hats off to you, it must've been a lot of time and efforts put into this project! The result is high quality production that is easy to listen until the end, even with a 17 minutes piece! Which is quite remarkable itself. I really enjoy the more calm sections, it's very welcome element of contrast that helps stay hooked throughout.

Tangerine responds:

Thank you! This was quite a different challenge for me because I had to focus on quantity over quality. A challenge of how many different variations I could create in a month. I might try it again next year to see how my efficiency has improved :)

[It Takes Two]

I was going through your old stuff, this one I love the ambiance you went for! Introspective, mysterious vibes. Only 2 hours, you were probably "in the zone" for the whole time! Quite a nice inspiration! I feel like 2018 is a year you reached a new level in your composition skills.

Everratic responds:

I'm glad you enjoy it!

I agree, my composition skills skyrocketed in 2018, which coincides with when I switched to orchestral music. I entered small competitions every month from 2017 to 2018, so I was constantly motivated to get better.

Thanks for checking out my older stuff!

[Not a Lone Battle]

I'm sure your odds wouldn't be less no matter what you went for. You have more than enough material to show that you are a very good composer, and pianist. My fear was that you go for piano too ^^

Your capabilities as composer are once again very well displayed in this piece! Would surely fit in a video game's boss fight! It's very well designed, from the beginning I imagine the boss presentation, then it settles for an epic fighting scene. The end, it gave me instant flash of inspector gadget theme! Nicely done, the music is very evocative of the theme you went for.
Good luck for the NGADM, no matter what happens the journey was worth it!

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thank you for saying such nice things! I definitely wanted to spice things up a notch. On top of that, I feel like I haven't uploaded enough orchestral works on Newgrounds recently. That said, the piano is always calling to me, hahha :D

It's really fun to hear you describe your interpretation! I would like to think that playing so many games in my life has given me some insight into this genre of music, whilst I always aim to bring some originality as well :)

Omg, I love the Inspector Gadget theme! I used to watch the cartoon all the time as a kid :p
I'm flattered by the comparison xD

Indeed, good luck to you too! What a fun round ^____^

[A Silent Mist]

This is simply beautiful! Words sometimes couldn't explain the feelings evoked by a song or a piece, I think it's testament of high level of musicality that I find in this one. It brought a tear to my eyes, and filled my heart with warm feeling. It's a sad and nostalgic song, but it also evokes the feeling of being missed, being appreciated no matter the hardship, the distance. There is this "equivocal" feeling in nostalgic thoughts. It's like sadness charged with positive emotions. I feel it strongly in this song. Both music and lyrics evoke nostalgia, it makes it that much more powerful.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Why thank you, Solacitude! You write such beautiful compositions that it means a lot to hear this piece made you feel emotional <3

[Voyage by Starlight]

I really like this approach as well, especially when inspiration is lacking.
Starting very simple and limiting choices helps focusing on musicality.
Then make it evolve while keeping the essence of the original theme.
You're very good at orchestrating your ideas and making coherent evolutions of those themes!

HollandAlbright responds:

Thanks so much! It became a good exercise in arranging a theme in different ways. Simplicity can really help with creativity sometimes, and agree re limiting choices. :)

[The 3rd Piano's Dream]

I'm sure you get into a nice place when playing these pieces.
Your mind speaks through your music, I really like your style, simple and beautiful, emotionally engaging.

WouterPiano responds:

Yes i do, i hear music in my mind all the time. Hope to make more music! Thanks!