A Pinkie Pie track that isn’t about her being hyperactive and zany? Alright, I’m game. Nothing over the top here, just the sweet noise of Celestia bringing in the morning. The birds sounding off and Pinkie with Gummy in their bed just wanting just a tad more shuteye. The arrangement is this serene piano, along with these harmonizing cords of violins and cellos. It’s almost like this is what Pinkie’s mind is like when resting before it’s time to get up and start trying to make some pony’s day! A lovely gift from Altius Volantis to Makenshi for his birthday. Something different about Pinkie Pie, this will do. As always, this Qilin asks you to judge for yourself.
CAPT – The Upcoming Journey | Future Bass
Art influences art. That is the core of this most pleasant piece of music based on the art done by Alumx! Bronies everywhere are curious as to what G5 will bring to the table. The melodies of Capt’s work here show the growing talent his work has become since first hearing his work within the Equestria Terror Corps label. The sound of joyous beginnings is what comes to mind as you feel like you are heading out on your own with nothing but a saddlebag and your sense of adventure! The composition of the travel and trot beats will have you hoping for the future of the fandom. As always, this Qilin asks you to judge for yourself.
Spikey Wikey – Whatever | House
Spikey Wikey’s track, “Shining Free,” has gone through quite a few fun revisions since it first came out. From its original release almost two years ago on PonyChord, to its VIP release a little over a year ago, to Single Purpose’s upbeat remix of the VIP, Spikey Wikey has once again revamped his classic track with “Whatever” – a bouncy house tune that resamples every sound and sample from “Shining Free” except for most of the vocals. While staying true to the house vibe of the original, “Whatever” features a jazzy bass guitar that makes you want to put on your dancing shoes! Enjoy this bouncy, wonky, funky tribute to the episode Tanks For The Memories!
GLIMM – CADENZA | Hyperpop
Oh, man, this one is such a delight! Part of GLIMM’s upcoming 4-track EP called “(PRINCESSES)” (along with the Princess Luna-themed “Illuminate My Night”), the track opens with a gentle piano melody that gains a sweet, reverby airiness as the volume increases. Then the hyperpop synth melody and distorted percussion sliiiiide into the mix, and suddenly we have a bouncy, uplifting song befitting the Princess of Love! The chiptune-like melody shift is a really nice touch when it kicks in, and the further incorporation of reverb-drenched piano is just bliss. The splicing of the melody together with the percussion throughout is done deftly and creates a pleasing glitchiness to the arrangement, and the backing synth scales fill out the mix really nicely. Give it a listen and get a little taste of what Princess Cadence’s subjects feel when they gaze upon their fair ruler!
Nyancat380 – Moanin’ | Glitch-Hop / Substep
(Slight warning before I start: This song is quite, well, risqué; it’s no Pony Zone, but I strongly advise against playing it on speakers!)
Well, this is quite the change, isn’t it? Nyancat, the master of all things dark and death, brings us this funky, upbeat song, and he uses a lot of vocal chops from the Korean dub (yes the official dub). The image used for the video should immediately give you an idea of what kind of song this is, but enough talking–let’s get straight to it! (That didn’t make it better, did it? lol)
(Continued after the break)
MelodyBrony – Onward | Hard Rock
Faster than lightning, MelodyBrony bursts onto the scene with Onward, a song all about G5 (more than likely the first one to come out) and the future it may bring! A positive rock song, we hear MelodyBrony’s musing about what the future holds for the fandom in wake of the show’s new incarnation hitting the scene. Driven by a lead guitar melody with a piano in the background, MelodyBrony sings with passion as the music charges forward, with a heavy focus on melody and structure, his forte. Who knows, maybe this could become the unofficial G5 anthem in future!
RedSpark – Battle, Fallen and Epilogue | Orchestral / Soundtrack
In this finale to his concept series, A Tale of Starlight, RedSpark introduces Battle, Fallen and Epilogue – a stirring musical rendering of Starlight Glimmer’s epic battle with evil forces after Twilight became ruler of Equestria. Each movement of the piece corresponds to a scene in the story. First, a gentle piano accompanied by strings sets the stage of the calm before the storm of battle. Next, we hear the sound of war drums, choirs, and horns with a “Pirates of the Caribbean” feel, marking the breakout of an epic confrontation. After this, the music transitions into solemn strings and choirs, and we feel that the enemy has struck our hero to the ground. A grand orchestral section eventually whittles down to a few keys on the piano, conveying uncertainty and the possibility that the hero has suffered defeat. Gradually, however, with resolute strings and horns, the music builds and crescendos into strength and hopefulness. We can hear that our hero has risen to launch one last attack against the enemy – an attack that vanquishes the darkness once and for all! A victorious anthem plays to signify the heroes reveling in triumph! To convey the journey of the exhausted but triumphant warriors as they head homeward, a soothing piano melody wafts over the listener like a lullaby. Don’t miss this inspiring orchestral piece that beautifully concludes this inspiring saga following Starlight Glimmer in her epic battle against evil, and also be sure to check out RedSpark’s full story behind the music, A Tale of Starlight, on Fimfiction, as well!
Altius Volantis – Winter Sunrise | Orchestral
Written as the theme for the upcoming online convention, Snowfall ONLINE 2021, this track skillfully depicts a winter sunrise with its brisk beauty tinged with the harshness of the season. An ongoing tension can be felt throughout, as if the earth is slumbering, but mysteries yet to be revealed are hidden beneath its surface, ready to burst forth with spring’s arrival. In the intro, the sound of church bells carried along by brisk winds immediately brings to mind the mingling of winter’s playful and harsher elements. Strings play a slightly melancholy yet hopeful melody, while plucky sounds create an upbeat, “frolicking-through-the-snow mood. Gentle bells suggest winter delight and tranquility, but heavier strings intermittently suggest its darker side. Layer by layer, the piece adds more and more instruments as the track progresses. Finally, however, the piece reverts back to the church bells that sounded at the beginning. I’m sure the attendees will enjoy listening to it as they attend the convention. Enjoy this contrast of the dark and bright elements of winter!
Glimm – Illuminate My Night | Happy Hardcore
Different song, different princess, different genre! Glimm, a newcomer to the brony music scene. Slides right into the groove with the 2nd track of their Princess EP album. We had Cadenza with Hyper Pop for Princess Cadence. This track, however takes the interesting choice of Happy Hardcore to the theme of Princess Luna as odd as this sounds for her character. We are treated to this bouncy and hyperactive message of poor Luna being trapped on the moon. I have to admit it is quite catchy; Glimm trying to sing for the first time has this playful and hopeful tone to the lyrics as the harmonies have this space-like echo to them, full of spunk and high octane energy! It’s an entertaining track. Please encourage Glimm to keep working hard and encourage them with love. As always, this Qilin asks you to judge for yourself.
Koron Korak – Goodbye Can Also Be A New Hello | Hybrid Orchestral
To say that the official reveal of MLP’s fifth generation has inspired people to create many forms of art would be a massive understatement. Even between the accidental reveal of a bedspread containing three of its main characters and the official reveal showing screenshots from the upcoming movie, fan creations came out in droves. Songs have been one of these forms, notably MelodyBrony’s Onward, and Koron Korak’s latest outing, Goodbye Can Also Be A New Hello. The latter song is a trance piece that oozes optimism to the nth degree. Many of the instruments work in harmony to capture that feeling of moving on to great things. Piano and synth sounds permeate through its two and a half minute length and really cut through the mix right next to the punchy drums. The hopeful melody is created by strings which also adds a sense of adventure, something I’m sure we can all feel now that we’re heading into new territory. The future ahead of us is filled with hope and possibility; if we’re already bombarded with fan content that’s this good when we barely have anything to work with at all, who knows how far it’ll go when the movie and show come out?
Horse Music Herald 