Aalasteir's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Song For the Rain]

Beautiful! You have amazing tonalities, combining an old-school with a modern style. The ambiance of the rain and utilizing the thunder give a really good atmosphere, and the vinyl cracks are utilized well.

sorohanro responds:

Thanks for the review. You can download the solos (see the link in the description) and put them in your own mix/tune/composition.

[Through the Mangrove]

The bouncy rhythm melody speaks clearly, the synth is sharp, and with a light, almost pitch-bent-like quality. The delay effect incorporated in the melody is fascinating, with varied instrumentation and a strong bass.

The song structure is super good, keeping momentum going. There's a jump-like quality that is really uplifting to listen to. The song feels quite happy, and it is really cool when there are variations kick in and the background of the song is still moving along. That is cool.

@Random-storykeeper which element do you usually begin with when creating a song?

Random-storykeeper responds:

Thank you for your thoughtful comments! Sorry for the delayed response.

For most tracks, I typically begin with the piano - this particular track, for instance, I came up with the chord progression heard at around 1:30 - 1:50, then built the composition around it. For other tracks, I sometimes start within FL or other times, I might have a melody going around in my head that I'll use. Other tracks may factor into the starting process, especially for the tracks I make for a specific game.

[Conditions]

Intro really pops up with the bass. Your panning is nice, and when the kick, kicks in, it's engaging. Personally, I always really appreciate more personal vocal stylings along with more unconventional vocal mixings.

Flamingweeny responds:

Thanks for the review. Kind words.

[Space Channel 5 JAM (Dreamcast Collab)]

The harmonic groove and the action you present are extremely engaging. The piano riff has such a good sense of timing, and then you add the guitar. The variation creates a spectacular action, and then you hit with the surprise beat, and the orchestra sound pops up, adding so much life. Wow, spectacular!

@TeraVex how do you create your harmonies?

TeraVex responds:

Thank you so much!! For this I actually transcribed the original piano part by ear since there aren't any references online in terms of sheet music! Finally those years of ear training paid off!!

[Crystal Vistas]

Your intro is so powerful with the variation of sounds, the electronic landscape, and the bit crush and reverb are so unique.

The guitar mixing that you have going; paint such a vivid landscape. When the beat kicks in, the rush of emotion and engagement that you present, mixed with a Game Boy, adds such a unique feeling to your song. Then the beat drops, and it is so powerful!

The rhythm moves in a spectacular fashion, and the energy rises up. The fact that you have it panned across the stereo field is very engaging, and the variation you present in your composition is meticulously and well thought out.

01:49 - This part you've created is so good, wow!

02:11 - The disco feel is extremely fun.

Your song concludes so well which makes it very loopable.

What is your approach to composition?

jamatar responds:

Thanks so much for the kind feedback! I find I work the best when I'm playing things live, so usually the first thing I'll do is put down some basic rhythm and block in some synth chords. I started with this really warm pad and just kinda grooved with it for a bit, then when I started playing guitar over what I recorded, it helped to really establish the sections.

I'll usually block in some rough tracks, go back and redo them a bit better. This track has the most amount of live playing I think, the bass is a real bass guitar, the guitar is all 1 or 2 final takes and all the little sparkly high keyboard and synth parts are played in by hand :) I even record a lot of the Gameboy in live as well when I can!

[The NG Mall Music Collab]

We're going shopping with this one!

Thank you for organizing the collab @TeffyD the ambience is an amazing addition!

Creeperforce24 responds:

*grabs shirt* WE GO SHOPPING NOW

*gets arrested for kidnapping*

[Gyatty Gyattington (Why Did I Do This)]

Cock and ball!

Scaredofclocks responds:

Mmmhmm!

[Break It Up Collab]

Excellent music everybody! The Break It Up Collab gets a download from me!

xanxoepico responds:

Play it in a car trip 0-)

[Apex Twink]

An amazing atmosphere! I would like to express my sincere gratitude for not introducing too many elements that compete with each other. Instead, you have a select amount of musical components that complement each other well, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

0:19 - A click sound is a really good addition to your song.

00:23 - Corporating a camera sound is creative.

Jojo responds:

Wow! Thank you so much!