ZuwerWS's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[one80 & radon - Arctic Overdrive [NGMC 2025 Round 1]]

I really like the countdown to the song, right when it starts feeling like it's taking to long to get to the main part, the intro develops further and further, which I think is quite rebellious and I like it. I dislike how the high pitches sound, but that could be my ears being my ears again. I like the progression, and especially the chords like at the bridge at 1:43. The arpeggios also sound really nice, they don't feel repetitive and add to the beat. I also really like the mix. At the same time, similar chords are repeated throughout the whole song, but thanks to the way you guys handled all the different instruments it keeps being just as interesting as at the beginning to listen to this one. I wouldn't say that it's a chilly race song if I didn't know it was, but If I think about it that it is, it definitely fits that theme. Dance is not really a genre I listen a lot of, so I can't really criticise this is any meaningful way so sorry about that. Or it just could be that this one is so good, eitherway a massive bop. The ending is great, and the sfx right at the end is a cherry on top.

[Mo i Rana [NGMC 2025]]

I really like the SFX's at the beginning. The intro really sounds like an intro to the race. The countdown voice doesn't fit in my opinion the rest of the instruments, as it sounds much more like a countdown to a fighting game than a racing one, and I'd suggest using one with a lighter tone instead. I think the hit hat's in the drums should be toned down in volume, as they are over present. The overall instrumentation is very nice, and get's you pumped for a race in the chilly environment, truly makes it feel like a complete narrative. I also really like the guitar melody at 1:28, the chords are amazing there, and the key change also works greatly. My only complaint is that I think the song is a bit too short, as the intro and outro combined feel as long as the rest of the song. Last thing is that I think what I think would be the strings before 0:48 sound like they should be more quiet, there's just way too much going on in that section.

[Arctique Fire]

The sample that keeps playing at the intro doesn't sound that good, I genuinely don't know how to describe it. The guitar that starts playing to lead to the main part I really like. Overall the acoustic guitar here is great. Regarding the atmosphere, it sounds more like halloween to me with the guitars and the chord progression, and also doesn't give me that race atmosphere, even with the lyrics, which I like for their cheesiness. Overall while messy especially around 0:33-0:56 I kind of like it for that? Like "Exotic and nice, racing camels on the ice" is such a raw and funny line. I guess the words that best describe how I feel would be "Really solid shit"

CasualBreather responds:

Thank you a lot for the feedback!

[Avalanche]

I really like the messy beginning that slowly transitions to 8-bit sounding instruments, that then get back to the main melody in a great drop. The main melody is good, I like it, and the chords also sound nice. I think there's a bit too much going on around 0:35 with the added instrument that has a heavy attack delay on it, but that might be me. The section that follows is really fun, and it makes it sound like you just entered an ice grotto, and the snow is snowing into your eyes as you pass by bears and bats in the cave. You nailed the chilly atmosphere. The progression is great, and I don't have much to criticise in the latter parts, maybe other than there's a sound snap at 1:50. I like the panning, and the guitar riff.

[TheBroox2000 & Itz_Gamepoint - Frozen Road (NGMC 2025 Entry)]

I don't think the main isntruments flow well with the drum samples at all. At times they're too quiet like at the beginning, and at times way too loud with the strings. I think that what sounds like a steel drum in the section at 1:24 doesn't fit the intensity of the drum pattern, a high or low pitched guitar with some heavy effects might have worked better. I also don't get the ice atmosphere really. There are bell and chromatic instruments, but I don't think they make it sounds wintery. I'd suggest changing some of the samples, so they don't have a delay on them, and also maybe fixing up some frequencies in the mixing so they don't clash. The overall drum beat you have created isn't bad, but since this is supposed to be a race in the cold, maybe adding some crashes or cymbals would work like at 1:30.

[Charlmot & PiAHC - Tundra Showdown]

I love the chords at the beginning, they are so otherworldly and create the atmosphere greatly. And the key changes that lead up to the uneven beat are also great. There's a real frost to this one, and I definitely feel the atmosphere you were going for. Overall there's a nice progression, although when there are more instruments at 0:38 I feel like they clash a bit, but nothing too big. I think you did the drop to the last lap in a great way. It makes it sound like this is a life or death scenario, and the string fanfare at the end is also a great touch.

[ArikXu & arsalchowdhurymusic - Wanderers of the White Wilderness]

It's alright, I like it, even though a bit repetitive with the drum pattern. The vocals fit really well. My favourite part would be at 1:51, it has a real groove to it.

[NG Mall Music Collab: Closing Time]

I got chills after listening to the entirety, and then the ending piece appearing, it trully feels like one big journey with a massive pay off

[The Three Guardians]

I don't know why, but this track is really hard to explain. I definitely would change the little chirps that play from the very beginning of the track, I think they'd work amazing if slowed down by like three or four times. I also think that it's a bit too repetitive, but I could see that not being as much of an issue if played in the background of a bigger event, because it sounds like if it was made to play to a cutscene of sorts. The piece builds emotion to what might be lurking around the corner well, and along with the chords and the instrument choice, it makes for quite a mystical experience.

MauveDash responds:

Repetition I suffer with, this shows that wonderfully :(

But hey, glad you liked what is essentially a reject!

[Generic Loop]

For something made in 10 minutes, it still has it's charm. There's definitively some mixing issues with the drums. I think the hit hats should be more in the background, and the foot pedal having some breaks other than at the end of the 8 bar loop. Other than that I think it's decent, quite a bop indeed. The arpeggios in the background (which I love how they sound here) and the pleasant chord progression definitely are what makes this an alright listen.