hoorayjay's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Next Step]

I like how current but somehow retro your sounds are, as they sound like old SNES MIDI sounds, which I'm a huge fan of. It gets a little repetitive, save for the break midway through the song, which could have had a tad more bass, just to emphasise the drop. I must complain about the last 10 seconds of the song, which is the little drum loop. Don't do that. It takes away from it and it looks like you want to get above the 2:00 mark. Keep doing what your doing.

jjoon responds:

Ok :) Thanks !

[Champions]

I love the nostalgia this gives me. Early post-hardcore is best post-hardcore. Chorus, breakdowns and verses are all catchy and reminiscent of the style. The most glaringly obvious problem is the mix. The tones are there but the mix has no bass at all. You want that bass to be there during your breakdowns at least if you want to kick someones ass. You'll get there with your catchy leads and hooks, just get get some lower frequencies happening.

KyjunRuu responds:

Thanks much for the feedback man! :D

[February Rain]

The minimal but dramatic introduction is what drew me in and then lost me a little. But then it dropped. I would suggest starting your build up a little earlier, just for the extra "omg its gonna drop" factor. Personal bias suggests that your kicks should be a little deeper, to complement the bass. That being said, I love how the bass isn't in your face either, being happy to act as rhythm. I would still insist on getting them to sit a little bit better together though. Your piano and orchestral arrangement sounds gorgeous and reminds very much of something from Mirrors Edge, which is a complement. Overall, beautiful track, but I think it needs to hit a little more, and needs a little bit more variation. You do you.

5TanLey responds:

I like my dnb kicks kinda light in most of tracks.. just personal preference

anyway thanks for the review, glad it was listenable for you :)

[{dj-N} Fallen Angel (Remastered Full)]

First up, all the bass in this is expertly created, from how it sits, to it's harmony and syncopation with the main synth lead flows very well, and keeps everything before the drop interesting. Your various dips and use of dynamics add to that as well.
Those leads, from the synth and the vocal are just pure love, and your eye for various different effects, like the little filter sweep at 2:03, keeps things interesting, and once the bubbly arp pops up and the mix kicks back in, you are already dancing. Progressing from that to a more standard EDM structure for the end of the song is a smart move, keeping things familiar but also engaging. I love how many simple choices like subtle lead changes and small changes to your synths make a huge difference in each part to keep things moving. Good job. Goes hard.

[Phone Project 01]

I love the use of the unconventional sounds. The start gives it an almost electro-swing feel, giving way to that staccato rhythm, but that harp sounding arpeggio takes it into unknown but good territory. I feel like your mix needs work, which is understandable from FL Mobile. Your kick is a real star but it is a bit too big but a dedicated sub-bass or bass synth would definitely offset the kick a little bit, and give the mix a new element. V good and upon seeing this work is nearly 3 years old I can't wait to browse more from you.

[mfw i started listening to deathcore]

Despite the distinct lack of deathcore, I love how moody, jungle-y and almost industrial this is. The song is minimal but it just adds to it's composition. It could easily be used as a NIN interlude or something on the Mick Gordon Doom soundtrack. The syncopation is real and you have a good handle on parameters and resonance because your bass doesn't lose anything (it gains more) during your filtered parts.
I feel like your real drums (or at least cymbals, also I'm presuming they are samples) need a little EQ and refinement, and this could probably come from turning them down a little bit.
Other than the drums, this is a solid song and if I ever need to wear a balaclava and need to hack something I'm sure this will be in the background.

[Domino Effect]

really good! I was worried about the length but things carried over nicely and nothing was too stretched or forced. Also really cool synth sounds

[StarDrive]

Absolutely loved the synth sound, all your leads are fantastic, and the the progression was so rad. Things were so perfectly placed it hurt me

Geoplex responds:

Thanks, lol