Hello! This is a review for the NGUAC competition.
I've gone over one or two general categories of issues specific to your song, and one section of things I think also deserve complimenting. I prefer being very direct with my critique, none of it is meant to offend. Thank you for your understanding!
Constructive Criticism:
- Okay, this took a little bit to build into something really neat-sounding, as the initial loop sounded a tad odd on it's own and the initial chords felt a tad off as well... but I think the main problem here is that it's audibly constructed ENTIRELY out of loops. I can't even hear a single one-shot sample for transitions or anything written independently of these loops that, as you have mentioned in the description, are premade samples. This explains why things sound a bit off harmonically, why the syncopated rhythms don't quite fit together, and especially why this track is so repetitive. Right now, while you did the production on top of these sampled stems, there isn't actually much of a personal touch. Even some one-shot white noise sweeps, filter sweeps, or similar would help with transitions, especially the VERY rough transition in the bass at 1:17. Note that the transition at 2:28, while sudden, is smoother due to the filter change.
- Secondly, let's look the more intense section starting at 1:35. This section, and particularly around 1:48 and onwards, some of the sounds really clash. The chords and bass in particular seem to be using some of the same lower mid frequencies, which isn't improved by the addition of more sounds. There's some of this as a minor issue between the other bass and the same chords, but it tends to be a little less of an issue due to the tone of this bass.
Compliments to the Composer:
- There's nothing wrong with using loops. This is fairly well mixed together, a lot of these loops are really nice, and the track really grooves! The reason I've been criticizing it, and the thing I'd like to compliment you on, is that you have a good sense of how to fit sounds together to create a "vibe" that feels good to listen to. I think that it could be even better with some additional personal touch in the form of melodies, chopping some of the chords and fitting them together more uniquely, and adding transitions. Then, you can use your choice selection of loops to make some super chill jazzy grooves. I'd love to hear you develop this tone.
Final score: 6.5