ChronoNomad's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[there's gotta be a morning after]

This is a lovely and wistful piece, beautifully played. To my mind, nothing else feels quite as apropos as piano when it comes to solo instrumentals. The second half is definitely reminiscent of "Radical Dreamers ~ The Jewel Which You Cannot Steal," which is probably my number one track on the Chrono Cross OST. The Yasunori Mitsuda vibes are so strong that it gave me chills.

[Resilience]

Man, I don't even know what to call you anymore! But that aside, I really enjoy the hell outta this track. It's like you've combined your traditional sound with a really cool acoustic aesthetic, and frankly--it just works.

You've definitely brought the energy and excitement here, and this track could really apply to a number of different situations. It sounds like apprehension, struggle, and decisiveness. Like a long, dark road where some glimmer of hope still burns in the distance. And then there's the classic post-apocalyptic dystopia, where the survivors are just too damned stubborn to roll over and die. This could be the soundtrack to them all, and much more besides.

Personally, it makes me want to run outside, leap on the back of a horse, and gallop off into the unknown! Which is crazy because I don't even own a horse.

Sure, theory can be learned, but talent cannot be taught. Anyone who makes music clearly understands the fundamentals of music theory, but that doesn't mean that you can explain it with words or mathematical principles. For some of us, that process in 100% internal, and you know what? I think that's a beautiful thing. After all, I've never taken a single music theory course, and it's never stopped me either. By all means, carry on.

P.S. - Is this supposed to be a loop? Because it feels like it should loop. :P

[littlMix 01_23_2021]

Oh, was it Pixel Day? I hadn't even noticed. ;3

Jokes aside, this is a wonderfully eclectic selection of music you've put together here, and I am honored to be a part of it. You really bring the podcast energy when you speak, and your pronunciation of Hyperborean Wanderer is nothing short of perfection. Cheers~!

[Battle against Xin's beanie!]

Man, has this got some crazy slap bass driving it on! It's fast and frenzied, funky and jazzy, and makes me feel like the world is tilting at a bizarre angle...which is kind of awesome, not gonna lie.

I've definitely heard similar themes in some great old school games, including the ones where those wacky plumber bros. are all about 'shrooming and princess saving, but never anything quite like this. Whereas my track is more downtempo, this thing is totally pumping and really brings the energy from start to finish. It's a wild ride, but one that I thoroughly enjoy. I'm not sure how Xinxinix inspired you to make this, but I'm glad that he did!

Suffice to say, this track slaps...both literally and figuratively. *drops mic and walks away*

[Underwater Bitz [Pixel Day 2021]]

Really into these different sections of the track, Teck. The vibe is smooth and chill one minute, then ramps into a hard-thumping banger, and there's something about it that feels awesomely reminiscent of the Metroid Prime soundtrack.

Love how you ease the rhythm back out at the end, but then you've got that whole sweep and fade thing going on. Smooth and effective. Really nice instrument layers throughout, and despite the fact that it's a whopping 7 minutes long, it doesn't really feel like it. Good stuff, Teck! Rock on.

Teckmo-X responds:

Ignore that Crying React, I'm actually not crying cuz I'm sad but because I'm touched by your kind words. The goal of this song was to give my listeners a taste of my own reality. I didn't know what I was doing, I had no clue where I was headed to begin with. This song was made in less than 24 hours. I know the song is long but it really gives off that feel good vibe but yet a calm nature of it's own. I've been working with electronic dance, dubstep, and synthwave music for the past half year. I feel like I've made progress. I'm not gonna lie to you. Everything I make is random, I have no real goal or plan to make things, they just happen. People tell me my songs have a story behind them. I think it's time I tell a story.

Thank you for such kind words. No really, it makes me feel good. It makes me feel like for once I did something right.

[8-Bit Drum Kit]

This is so funky and just plain fun to listen to! I can't sit still with those sweet 8-bit drums and retro VG effects being pumped into my head. And hey, you don't have to try and convince me that ChipHop is a thing—I've been a fan for years.

You knocked this whole thing out in just a couple of days? Color me impressed. It's a wild ride, and despite the fact that it's five minutes long, it sure doesn't feel like it! Always the hallmark of a great track. Love the custom avatar you whipped up for the occasion, too.

What if I told you that I've turned running with scissors into a contact sport...?

Quarl responds:

Honestly, two to three days is regular for a track I'm really into. The longer the work drags on the more likely I am to hate it by the time it's done. Plus, with 15 years of experience I've cooked up production shortcuts. I didn't want to write this in the description but I gutted my Paroxysm file for the instruments. More importantly, the crunchy drum kit is the same rhythm as the intro from Paroxysm but I routed a digital distortion unit through an Aux channel then automated some knob twiddling on Scream's parameter 2. Most the melodies were recorded live so if you get a good take you just chop the midi and copy/paste. Some of the instruments were largely unaffected from Paroxysm.

Music is no different from programming, coding, or animation. Recycled gold is still gold. Many coders will reuse code from game to game. See Bethesda reskin bears from Skyrim into Fallout. Disney animators get spotted tracing their own work from years prior. The Simpsons famously made fun of themselves for recycling backgrounds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbx31eWZ9vc

Also, what if I told you scissoring was already a contact sport? There's enough hentai on newgrounds to prove it but the activity is well older than the two of us :)

[Classic Overlord]

This is a very cool ride, man. Both frenetic and nostalgic. It's hard to keep track of all the classic Mega Man call-backs, but there's a whole heck of lot of Blue Bomber goodness going on. Dr. Wily and his robotic army are officially on notice. Well done!

Manderby responds:

Thanks a lot! I just can't think not of Mega Man when it comes to 8-Bit sound. So inspiring!

[[lofi] O Night, Rewind]

A totally chill holiday vibe with a warm and cozy sound. I really dig some of your vocal key choices and how they keep things flowing. Even if it crosses a few genre boundaries, I think that lo-fi hip hop totally fits the bill.

A really nice mixture of musical elements, and they feel seasonally apropos. The vocals have been processed in some unique ways, but I'm assuming that it's Vocaloid rather than a human-type person.

Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable ride, man. Really glad I stopped by to check it out. Stay frosty.

[Inktober #6 - Listerine]

You know this is what's up, bro!

When ADR3-N originally laid down these beats a couple of months ago, I thought to myself, 'Man, this track is just begging for a sweet wordsmith treatment by Cyberdevil.' And BAM! There you are, bringing the whole package up to collab level.

Thanks for making me feel weirdly prophetic. It simply had to be, and the rhymes are on point. An epic tag-team development, both of you. Stay frosty.

Cyberdevil responds:

Aw man, what are the odds! :D Fortunately too I didn't see that she'd written and recorded her own take on this already when I was skimming for beats, might not have gone with this particular one if I did...

This was awesome to read. You do have an alias befitting a prophetic persona too. One who wanders and discovers and brings forth new truths in this wonderful but wacky world...

[Do Not Disturb - NGADM 2020 - R3]

I really enjoy the progression here, Mackievellian. The music box intro is kind of like EarthBound, while the additions around :29 embody a more Zelda-esque mystique. Once the percussion and electric guitar kick in, it's like the Black Mages are holding a Persona jam session. And those final chill strums give off an ambient sort of Diablo vibe.

As a guy who can obviously appreciate a good VG reference, I hope that you'll take all of that as being quite complimentary...because it is! This is a very cool ride, and my only complaint is that it's too short, which is ultimately a compliment in itself. Best of luck in the NGADM, man.

P.S. I hope your neighbors quiet down and let you sleep from time to time. Or you could just throw your own wild party while they're trying to sleep it off! (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

Mackievellian responds:

I love your comments man, always really sound. I thought about your last comment a lot during AIM2020 and tried to work layering. Wish I had more time! And man, last time I threw a party I could barely move in my house lol definitely got noise complaints.