Likwify's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Derpcat - Aurora]

The intro was really great, but it didn't really build enough tension. Even in full orchestral parts, it's okay to use electronic risers and subs. 4.5/5

The first drop felt a bit boring, and imo the lead completely failed the rest of the soundscape. 3/5

The build-up to the second drop was about as good as the beginning, but 2:52-3:45 just felt really tedious and didn't build up enough for the time that was taken. If it had been left to a few phrases, it could have worked, but it just took too long for me. 4/5

I'm sorry, but the second drop just didn't work for me. The chordstacks were too small, the drums weren't mixed in quite right, and the sidechain is just a bit off. The collection of everything being a bit off was just too unsettling to me, but at least I can see that a lot of work went into it. So I give it a 3.5/5.

Overall, I feel like this is a pretty good song, but the majority of it is just too overworked, underworked, or tedious. Also, the leads in the drops don't fit in very well; the build-ups and tone of everything else implies a more ambient, reverby lead, but what you used felt jarring and out-of-place. Keep improving, though! With some more work in sound design and transitioning, I'm sure you could make much better music.

DerpcatOfficial responds:

you are so right ;)

[Citrus]

The intro had a surprisingly nice mix! It built up a pretty good soundscape The one main thing it could use is having a melody that sticks to the chords. I think the other main thing this lacks is buildup FX and impacts, like cymbals, reverse cymbals, white noise sheets, and snare trails. Try implementing that, and everything will probably sound a ton better, and help the quality of the transitions. But good work! This was a huge improvement, and I hope you keep improving.

TsZNoble127 responds:

Nice to see that I've improved, buildup has always been quite tricky for me to figure out, but I'll try to impliment more of that into my next track

[Distance]

Nice job! I really like 1:20, the extra percussion was really nice and did well filling up space. The only problem is that there was a serious need for something to fill up the space in the beginning. Next time you make a song, I'd try focusing on adding pads and basses to the mix. Remember, synthwave also has elements of ambient music, so soft pads are absolutely necessary. Also, try using different types of drums; maybe get some free ones from Ghosthack or something. Just something along the lines of that.
Also, I felt like the way it built up was a bit generic. I know it can be tempting to build-up by just layering one thing on top of the next, but try to avoid it. It leads to long and kind of boring build-ups, and the drop becomes more of a relief than anything else. Just look at Xtrullor's new remix; every time the melody phrase repeats, it goes to another instruments. It keeps it fast-paced and calm at the same time. He also does something I see in a lot of his songs, that I really, really love. In a lot of his intros, he'll divide it into three or four parts. First, a small intro to build tension, then a sort of mini-drop. It really works well because it sets the atmosphere of the song; it's the perfect intro. Then it goes quiet, and all of a sudden it builds up tension and the drop smacks you in the face.
I'm not saying you should follow the format exactly, but I think you should take inspiration from that. It's a great example of how you can make a build-up without using any part of the generic format.

TsZNoble127 responds:

Thanks for the lengthy, in depth review, I'll be sure to incorporate a few of the things that you mentioned in my latest works, I will admit this track was a little rushed and I did alot of the major stuff in the first few days of developing it and I didn't really plan the track very well as a whole, this caused the basses and pads to be almost forgotten, I will make sure to take major consideration towards your review in my next track, and I really appreciate the time you took to make this review, you will not be disappointed

[SAMFISH & Likwify - Invictus (NGUAC Entry)]

Pleasure working with you :D

SAMFISH responds:

yeah... we gotta be more organized though - mixing was a disaster lol

[Wakeboarding Butterflies]

The intro is nice; it shows off your skill at making an amazing atmosphere. I definitely get some Garlagan vibes from this, especially from 1:41-3:10 and the third drop. It's so unusual to hear a combination of Garlagan's style, your style, and a more PSMD-ish style combined, but it actually sounded amazing together. This also has some amazing composition; I love the way it's arranged, as well as the chords and melodies. There's not much you could possibly improve in this one, so I would most certainly consider this your best original solo piece. Also, thanks for putting this under a CC licence, since I will almost certainly be using this at some point, in some way or another. Also, let's hope we can keep this rated a perfect 5/5 stars since it is one of the few songs I've ever heard that deserves it.

Onefin responds:

dude thanks so much likwify! garlagan usually starts with the drop when he makes his crud so in garlagan fashion that's also what i did :) glad you liked it!

and yeah the fill at 1:41, i like going crazy with those

[[Melodic Dubstep] Hearts]

I am amazed. I love the sounds you use at the drop. I feel like the intro and the part from 0:25 - 0:36 could have been better, the drums especially, but the drop totally made up for that. If you just improved those synths at the beginning, you could really accomplish something with your music.

SAMFISH responds:

Thanks for the crit! Yeah - I found this sitting around from awhile ago, and I just was like "Why not?"
:D

[Calycycle]

Really nice track! As always, the quality is absolutely amazing! In the future, however, I'd like to see more PSMD remixes.

Onefin responds:

I'm trying ; ^ ;