ariichPublic Service Broadcasting - People Will Always Need Coal
First impression: Quite an interesting take on the subject matterAlways glad to see interesting takes on the themes! The spoken samples do drive the song forward, but I also love the synths and the strings here, they create a very immersive atmosphere. I like how cinematic it all feels, quite a journey, with calmer sections, and a climatic ending. Great tune.
4.25Public Service Broadcasting - All Out
First impression: Lots of energy here, I like itA more intense track, I love the contrast with the previous one, this being darker and harsher, but also with great dynamics. Excellent use of samples again, fitting very well and the instrumentation responding to what's being said just works. I'm bummed it ends quite abruptly but I guess it makes more sense in the context of the album.
4.25CrowJane Remover - kodak moment
First impression: Very cool and interesting sound, but it's a bit too chaotic at times for meThis is the sort of contemporary sound that I dig a lot - lots of cool effects and electronic sounds, with some pianos mixed in. Maybe the vocals are a bit too processed for my liking, but they work quite well here. The middle section gets quite intense, but its grown on me over time, as I've come to better understand its flow. The little piano section that appears after that is lovely, kinda reminds me of the Omori OST.
So, although this song has no real structure to it, and it probably makes a lot more sense in the album context it comes from, I still enjoyed it a lot and kinda wished it was a little longer.
4Vylet Pony - The Carrion Child
First impression: Quite better than what I'd have expectedI had heard of this album by some friends, but due to the Pony thing, I hadn't thought much of it. Well, what the hell is even this
. Chiptune-ish metal uhhh dubstep something? I don't really care, it's pretty good! It does have a great balance between quiet and loud moments and the singer is great. Love those synths too. Again, I feel this is too short, it ends when it was getting started! But, what was done was great.
4.25PuppiesMagdalena Bay - Dreamcatching
First impression: Different from what I was sent last timeCrow had sent me Chaeri, and I liked that song, but not enough to consider exploring this album further - it was a good pop tune, just not memorable enough for me. This one I like a bit more, has more of a unique sound and many different elements going on. Love the synths here, and the sense of progress throughout the track, it doesn't feel static, if that makes any sense. Took a bit to grow on me, but in the end, good choice, puppers.
4CHVRCHES - Nightmares
First impression: Quite catchy, but maybe a bit too muchI'm familiar with the CHVRCHES roulette staples, but haven't explored more of their catalogue. This one sounds a bit different, with a intriguing production and many cool sounds. I like it quite a bit, but the thing that kinda bothers me is the chorus - it's too catchy and kinda repetitive, she sings "again" a bit too many times for my taste, but still works somehow.
4IndisciplineBanco del Mutuo Soccorso - Non mi rompete
First impression: This is a scene I quite need to delve into it seemsItalian prog had always seemed cool from the outside, but I never delved into it back when I was a little proghead. Now that I'm sort of back in that, but a little wiser, I was curious about this entry. Quite an ingenious use of the theme, that's the reason why I've made them so open ended. So, song is quite lovely, and although I don't understand the lyrics (I trust you on their meaning), they sing lovely melodies. I like how it slowly adds intensity, and even a synth near the end. Very nice song, goes into my playlist now.
4Janis Ian - Stars
First impression: Simple and heartfeltThis one I can understand what she's singing, and damn, what depressing lyrics
. I love the minimal instrumentation, just guitar and her voice, pouring lots of emotion in a very subtle way - reminds me of Beth Gibbons on her only solo album, Out of Season (it's on my top 10!). Although it's 7 minutes long, it doesn't feel like so, and although at times I felt maybe a mellotron or some subtle vocal harmonies could have been included, I don't really feel this track needs it.
4Buddyhunter1IAMTHEKIDYOUKNOWWHATIMEAN - We Love You Celestial
First impression: Quite chill and atmospheric, I like itAt first I was quite reminded of the Portal 2 OST, and seeing this person make music for the Hotline Miami games doesn't surprise me at all. Love the synths here, vocals are pretty cool too. I like how it sort of builds up and adds more layers as it goes. Not much else to say, i quite enjoyed this and am looking forward to hearing what little else this person made.
4.25KNOWER - Nightmare
First impression: Reminds me of PS1 video game music for racing gamesThis is, on the one hand, very interesting in how it's produced - sort of a minimalist approach, with no sound being too prominent on the mix, and even being a little quiet. On the other hand, it's a fun song, with cool tempo changes and quirky melodies. Drumming reminds me of the drum & bass music usually present in many PS1 games, even the synths too at times, they have that 90s vibe I love. The song is fairly simple in structure, maybe a bit repetitive for my taste tho, but it sort of works for the style they're going for. Kind of hard to rate this one, but...
3.75twosuitslukeLoathe - Is it Really You?
First impression: Not that memorable on a first listen at leastI quite like those synths and the atmosphere they're going for. Then the guitars kick in and I begin to see some of the parallels with Deftones, but there's just enough of their own sound to not sound like a copycat. The heavier parts with the computer voice are interesting, and gives this an interesting flavor. The chorus is probably the least memorable part of the tune for me tho, it's not as interesting or emotionally engaging as I was hoping for, but still enjoyable.
3.75Loathe - I Let it in and it Took Everything...
First impression: I think I see the comparisons hereThose guitars at the beginning are pretty intriguing, such a cool tone they have. Then the rest of the band kicks in, and that super distorted part grabs me. I'm kinda reminded of Diamond Eyes at times here, but definitely more aggressive. It also becomes quite atmospheric but never losing that heaviness, almost drifting into djent sounds. I like the calmer parts too, I think they work better than in the other song. What I'd love to see is a bit more emotion on the vocals, more expressiveness, they feel a bit generic at times imo. But, all in all, pretty cool song.
4HOFUnidentified Flying Project - There Is A Dream
First impression: I swear that synth sample is also used on a Silent Hill gameAt first I thought of Bark Psychosis, with the piano and the drums and that nice bass. I like how atmospheric and chill this song is, and that sax is a cool addition. I'm sort of reminded of IQ here and there too. A fairly simple but effective tune, it's always nice to hear some HOF-core.
And yeah that synth sample that appears at the beginning of the song and throughout it, it also appears on a Silent Hill game, I think the second one.
4The Clientele - No Dreams Last Night
First impression: Not too different from what I had heard by them, but still niceI remember the other song you sent me from these guys, it had a strong Beatles influence. This one doesn't, at least not that heavily, but the male singer reminds me of Bob Dylan for some reason. So, lovely little song, with some nice vocal harmonies, I kinda wished it was a bit longer and had more variation to it, but as it is, it's nice.
3.5LizzoCloakroom - Seedless Star
First impression: I like the heavy parts, the mellower ones not as muchThis feels like a mix of Stoner and Shoegaze, which immediately has my attention. That guitar tone is great, and the atmosphere it creates on the heavy parts I dig. It's the mellower sections that are just alright, they sort of remind me of Slowdive but not as interesting. The interplay between both sections is nice and works well, but feels a bit too predictable to me. I like it better when it combines both tho. The section at the ending is interesting too, I like that piano that follows the main melody. Just wished it had been integrated into the rest of the track instead.
3.5Editors - Munich
First impression: Kinda reminds me of some stuff I've been jammingI was quite reminded of Él mató a un Policía Motorizado, seems these guys could have been a big influence on them. So, great song here, with very catchy melodies, great drumming, and lovely ethereal guitars. Not much more to say, I quite enjoyed this short track.
4Shadow Ninja 2.0Sleep Party People - Floating Blood Of Mine
First impression: Given the album cover, I kinda expected something a lot more derivativeAlthough it's probably not the most original Dream Pop song ever written, it's very well written and executed. I like the subtle synths, and the guitars during the chorus are very nice. Vocals are nicely layered and work quite well. The use of spoken samples is intriguing, and surprisingly fitting. Yeah this has grown quite a bit on me lately, it's just a lovely tune.
4Heilung - Svanrand
First impression: This sort of dark Folk music is more miss than hit with meHmnnn yeah I've always struggled with this kind of uuhhh Northen European Folk? I know some people who are big fans of this stuff, and while the sound is cool, even with a bit of a modern flavor within, it's the songwriting that's just too boring to me. It's fairly repetitive, and kinda hypnotic, but not much else really. I just feel this goes nowhere interesting.
3.25romdrumsYes - Wondrous Stories
First impression: Quite another facet of them I wasn't familiar with, I thinkI'm not super familiar with Yes in general, I think I've only listened to Close to the Edge and Fragile long ago. And I got another song in the last round, which was fun and pop. This seems to be in between, with a very lush and layered atmosphere. It's a very simple track in structure, and does what it does quite well, but I'm not sure it's winning me over. Maybe it's just too British for me
3.5Lorn - Dead Dogs
First impression: Given the name and album cover, I expected something elseBased on the cover alone, I kept expecting some absolutely brvtal blast beats and riffs to melt my face down and... I got some cool electronic music instead. It kinda reminds me of Floex, with the beats and the vocal harmonies going on. It's an interesting track, though it feels more like a part of a larger listening experience than an individual song. Still it's got an interesting sound that I enjoyed.
3.75faizoffFleetwood Mac - Dreams
First impression: Hmnnnn interesting I guessOk so this is from that famous album everybody has on vinyl for some reason, interesting. Not sure how the rest of the record sounds like, but this is a nice little song. Simple drumming and vocals that become layered as it goes, and simple structure too. I like it, maybe not enough to add it to my playlist as it feels kinda uneventful to me, but it's neat anyway.
3.5The Doors - The Ghost Song
First impression: A tad different to what I remember by themI dont recall much how the other The Doors songs I've listened to sound like, but they were probably different to this. Interesting to have this guy just talking above the rest of the band playing, and then... it kinda ends? And the guy comes back to thank the Lord after some silence. Uuhhh yeah not sure what that's all about
. It's a fine tune, kinda ended when it was getting interesting.
3.5ReaperKKMichael Kelsey - Daydreamer
First impression: A bit different than last timeA full rock band rather than a guitar jamming on his guitar, cool. For some reason this felt like a late 90s effort rather than something from 2007. And I'm not sure how I feel about it, I've listened to it quite a bit, and I kinda struggle to find any memorable melodies, maybe because they're kinda dissonant. At least the song is fairly short.
3.25Bellevue, Lola - Dreamy Haze
First impression: Quite chill and relaxing, if uneventfulVery relaxing and moody song, I wouldn't mind listening to an album like this if I were trying real hard to focus on studying or something that requires strong mental effort. As for actually listening to it, well... it's a finely produced tune, but I feel it only serves well as background music. I love the artwork tho.
3.5Vmadera00Evanescence - Imaginary (synthesis)
First impression: Quite different from what I know them forI only know them for their meme song, and never really cared to delve deeper into their work. So, this was quite an intriguing proposition, and something a bit unexpected - electronic, symphonic stuff with just her singing. Hmnnn I'll admit it's an interesting idea, and the execution is good, but the electronics don't feel particularly original, even for its time. The orchestra is great tho, and her singing is fine too. I dunno, it's a nice song, but I'm not connecting with it that much.
3.5Caligula’s Horse - Firelight
First impression: I've never been a big fan of these guysThe mid 2010s were when I sort of began to expand out and dipped out of prog metal, right when this stuff was beginning to pop up. And I don't feel my opinion has changed much - this is just ok alt rock disguised as prog rock, with very unmemorable melodies and quite predictable passages. All of which just seems the opposite of "progressive" to me. I don't have much to say, I'm just not interested in that sort of style.
3EliteSungazer - Drunk
First impression: Music for other musicians to gush overI think Buddy sent me one of their songs in a previous roulette and I feel this is no different - lots of interesting sounds, and the songwriting is intricate, but it feels impenetrable to me. Like, it's more of an appreciation piece for accomplished musicians than a song to listen to by regular people like me. Not that such things shouldn't exist, I'm just not the target audience here. This song is less offensive in that regard than the other one, but I also feel it... kinda goes nowhere. Surely it fits the drunk theme, but I'm just... kinda bored.
2.75MonoNeon - I’m a Raggedy Bitch, but my Heart is Amazing
First impression: Not so sure what to make of itFairly short tune, it's got a nice vibe going on, I like the bass a lot, but as soon as it gets going, it just... ends? I guess this would fit better as an interlude in a themed EP or maybe it makes more sense in its original context, but I'm left wanting more tbh.
3.25soupytwistSeven Spires - Dreamchaser
First impression: I guess this must be great if you're a fan of the genreOh man, I'm sorry, I didn't clarify enough that Symphonic Metal bores me, and even mixing it up with Black Metal doesn't help either. I'm not a fan of cheese at all, and these melodies have it sprinkled all over them. I appreciate the mix between harsh and more melodic sections, but these aren't appealing to me. And the guitar solo is just ok. Overall it feels quite formulaic, and since I'm not a fan of these genres, I'm afraid this is more of a miss than a hit.
2.5The Prize Fighter Inferno - Elm Street Loverboy
First impression: Kind of an interesting sound, but the songwriting... not so muchThis has grown on me a bit I'll admit, I quite like the synths going on, but the lyrics are a bit hmnnnn and the melodies do remind me of Pop Punk for some reason. Dunno, it just feels very "'murican alt rock from the early 2010s'", a sound that I just don't vibe with as a South American I guess. It's a fine song, but just that. At least Claudio doesn't sound awful here.
3Scoreboardtwosuitsluke 16.25
Buddyhunter1 15.75
King Puppies and the Acid Guppies 15.75
Shadow Ninja 2.0 15.25
HOF 15.25
Indiscipline 15.25
ariich 15.25
Crow 15
Lizzo 13.75
romdrums 13.5
Elite 13.25
ReaperKK 13.25
faizoff 13.25
Vmadera00 12.25
soupytwist 11.75