ZuwerWS's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Space Draft]

I like the cover art and how overexaggerated it is. I overall like the approach this track has. It feels really spacey and otherwordly, like if it was a race in a completely different universe, aliens doing their stuff. It definitely doesn't sound like a normal race, but I can sort of see the theme due to the amount of space here is. I really like the slower parts as well, although the drum part comes a bit out of no where. the drums are both way too loud, and they are impacted too little by the other instruments and the other way around. I think that that section would have worked much better if it was shortened to about the same length the other sections have had, as the first half seems really fun and original, with all sorts of twists and turns, and it really out of no where stays on a section that would work wonders as a short bridge between two stronger sections. It trully didn't warrant it's own minute in the spotlight when compared to the other segments. I think this would work wonders if it continued what was set up at the start, but as it is, it is a combination of two different tracks that don't mash together at all.

DaxCamdaxian responds:

It's true that each part handles quite different styles between them but I think that both parts flow well, the funny thing is that you preferred my section more when many have commented precisely that they prefer my partner's, which makes me think that perhaps a more subtle mix between both ideas would have helped the whole song generate less divided opinions, I really like what Pink Shirt Dude did, sincerely I still defend that although each one created a part independently, both cooperate to make something unique, thanks for the review Zuwer! :)

[Moonstone Horizon [NGMC 2025]]

The beginning definitely didn't prepare me for the journey this track would end up being. I love the chords in this piece. I'm really keen on how carefully all of the instruments get introduced, like with the marimbas / xylophones, and that one final note that's off key right before the transition to the main part is just such a move to make. The progression in this track is wonderful, and the main motif is repeated throughout the piece in ways I wouldn't expect. I'd say the production is great, and mixing almost as much so, however I'd make slight adjustments in the two sections around the first minute mark, the other instrument that plays the melody there besides the xylophone/marimba seems to be a decibel or two at max too quiet. It doesn't sound bad but I think it should be emphasised more, and the squarey instrument that plays in the 1:30 section I don't think really fits the strings in the background. With all that, I still must say I really like this track.

[Snikio & X3ll3n - Nitro [NGMC 2025]]

I'm curious, did you guys make all of the covers for the songs in NGMC2025? They look really good. Overall the beat is strong, and even though it repeats itself, but it doesn't get bad due to the rather good structuring and tempo this piece has. I think the mixing also is really good here, with maybe the drum kick getting over the limiter just a tiny inch too much for me, but I don't think it's an issue with the song just a preference. I don't mind the lyrics in the bridge, although I'm curious where did you get them from, because the voiceline that starts at 1:44 I don't know how to describe, but it just starts really out of place. I think that the second part is a rather good continuation of what came in the first part. Overall this is a solid track with really good mixing, really cool choices in terms of instrumentation, and also a memorable motif.

Snikio responds:

Yeah mostly X3ll3n made it, I think he used ai image generator with that,
thank you so much!

[[NGMC2025] Depressurization (feat Voytek-Music)]

I love all of the sfx this track goes for, and the mix between the 8 bit melodies and the effects. I think they really add a lot (the effects), although I'd maybe work a bit more on their audio leveling, and how the volume changes when they're fading out (like 0:20 / 0:25). This track kind of gives me of the vibe of the Cyclops tracks from Subnautica. I don't have a lot to talk about other than "It's all really good, but I'd love it extra more with some context behind it". It warrants some sort of animation or gameplay behind it. It in a way is really cinematic? Like each section has it's unique vibe that you can clearly tell apart from the other sections. I also love the hidden counting down around the 0:35 mark I've just noticed. I'm not the biggest fan of the key change here, it comes sort of out of no where, but afterwards it makes up for that due to being a different take on a section that has already appeared before. Really good

DumbOctopus responds:

I've finally achieved peak.

[Farewell Home]

I feel like the melody of the electric guitar doesn't really play well with the rest of the instruments. It never fits like if it ever found it's home position, and like if it always was in friction, which can be done well but I don't think that was the intention here. I'd maybe recommend toning in down the bass as it seems to be the loudest instrument without any real reason behind it, while making one of the guitars that play in the main section louder, depending on which you want to make the main instrument. What I think would be cool is switching between the few instruments, sometimes having one to be the focus, then making another the focus. That could spice up the main section. The bridge at around the 1:30 mark is pretty weird, it sort of appears and then doesn't really conclude to anything, it's just there. Melodically it's alright, but the much more muddy vibe is in big contrast to the much more clear mix of the rest of the track, and while I dig the idea of adding some story telling elements, I think what could help is adding a slower section right before the transition to the bridge, to make the transition much less sudden and out of place. While I like the idea of the saw, and the riff is decent, I would recommend working a bit more on the audio leveling of it and also the sound of it, because it seems to be hitting some sort of limiter with it's really crunchy feel to it, which really doesn't fit the rest of the rather clean instruments. Overall there's definitely a lot in here, but what's here I don't think make a cohesive whole.

[Voyage 2025]

I overall like this score. I think there is some solid progression here, the vibe also is present, but for some reason this just doesn't make a cohesive whole for me in sound. Some segments like at 1:03 sound amazing, but whenever more instruments enter, like in the section with the guitar, the sample of the feet drum seems to be creating friction. I don't know how I would fix it, or if this is even an issue, but something I noticed. While I am not too big of a fan of the main melody, as it feels pretty repetetive, I really appreciate the in between sections and the main bridge. They're really well done, although once again I feel like the feet drum's pattern repeats way too many times without no changes to it. All the added Sound Effects are welcome, and I think they really help in setting the already unique vibe in this song.

[Lounge Lizard (PVZ Cover)]

Really cool remix. I like the combination of the more electric instruments and the more natural sounding ones. I also appreciate the new section. One thing I think that could be changed is the audio leveling. It overall sounds really good, although I'd maybe suggest toning down some instruments, like the bass guitar when the trumpet is present, because it's hidden under the other instruments which I don't think was the intention. The instruments don't seem to really make a discord in terms of the frequencies they play at. One last thing I think would be nice, is adding some reverb to the last few notes of the guitar at 0:40 right before the transition, and then changing some more instruments to build up the new section to be even more different, although that is more of a personal preference more than a serious issue. Still, good.

guiltlesslmfao responds:

This was a weird song whereas I made this on a DAW I am very embarrassed to name out loud, because my previous laptop had an update which messed up all the programs I used to compose and export my music. I also did not really know how to mix properly until a few months ago pretty much, so the pannings are probably all very weird and mono-like. However, thank you for getting out there and checking my cover! It was very hard to make a cover of a song I have never listened to prior to the project. I appreciate your comment!

[Make us change (Demo)]

I really like this. The chords are great, and I really like your vocals, and the lyrics I believe to be well written. I'd love to see a completed version of this. Sign of the times tomorrow's dreams disguise, no one's coming to fix our paradise is such a raw line to put in a song (as in, cool and great at the same time). Overall the lyrics are full of clever lines that I have to admire. It's not clear whether this is a break up song, or a song lamenting after someone's death or just two friends not getting to meet again, but I really like that about this one, it adds to the personality of it, and to the almost torture like state of the singer, due to reality being not like they'd expect it to be. I'd maybe recommend changing "What's coming is the time to change?" so that Is is the first word, and in "Always something make us change" I'd change make into makes. "Nothings gonna change if i just still the sames" sounds a bit off, maybe "Nothing's gonna change if I just stay the same", and also I'd recommend changing another line to "Anything they sell ain't gonna make us free". Other than that it seems to be rather well written. Great song

DaxCamdaxian responds:

Thank you so much, I'm glad you like the song. I'll take your suggestions into account to make adjustments to the lyrics. I just have one question: in the phrase "What's coming is the time to change," do you mean to change it to "Is what's coming the time to change"?

[Final Orbit]

The intro reminds me of something that'd come from StreetPass Mii Plaza, especially the fishing tour game. I really like the overall melody, how it is developed, and how it changes throughout it's play time. I think the audio leveling could have been better. Like with the guitar at 1:30 being way too loud, and then 1:34 once again being really quiet, or with the trumpets when they play the chords, or with the piano right before 2:10. I'd maybe think about changing up some chords in the 3rd lap, to make it feel even more tense, maybe some sus chords or sharp nines would work. Overall this is solid and I like it

Everratic responds:

Thanks for all the reviews throughout the event!

[ArikXu & Casual Breather: Nep-TunerZ]

I'm not a fan of the chipmunk like vocals. It has way too much reverb on it, and you can't even decipher what it's singing. It could be due to the low volume, but I think the reverb also contributes a lot to it. Overall the beat is alright, it flows well and the samples fit both the space and the race atmosphere. I really like the kick and snare, I think they fit perfectly, although I'd maybe recommend the melody to be more influenced by the drum kick, even a tiny bit, I think that could add some umph to the piece. overall it's decent but I'd like it more if not for the chipmunk voice

CasualBreather responds:

Thx for the detailed review! Though this is my natural unfiltered voice, I feel insulted! xD
just kidding, I've deleted this auto-pitch preset no one will hear of it again... probably