Toby Macarony is always up to something crazy and this track off of their Wonderbolts themed album keeps it interesting! The upbeat, happy style of Blaze serves as an anthem of sorts for the speed flyer in a way that’s just as mysterious as the Wonderbolt herself. The track utilizes a myriad of instruments and styles from arena organ syncopations, synth riffs, a solid dance beat, and so much more! The only real way to understand the insanity of Blaze is to give it a listen!
Remember Falling has released Change the World which tells a story from Hollow’s friend, Infinity as the pair gets ready to face the challenges set in front of them.
This is also the first track released by Remember Falling to feature voice acting, which I think adds to the story and theme they are going for and is a nice touch. The switch ups between the faster and slower parts transition really well and if you like upbeat poppy music and the more refined soothing sounds of melodic dubstep this song, this gives a healthy dose of both and I love how everything comes together!
Ocean Melody’s love letter to the fandom, they bring us a wonderful medley of nostalgia and love spun with iconic songs both from the fandom and the show itself! Each song has a creative twist on the original and the sound stage of the orchestration is really pleasing as well. Some of the songs are very noticeable like “Winter Wrap Up” and “Smile Song” but there are also some subtler nods as well, notably Dawn Somewhere’s “Sinking Ships” and 4everfreebrony’s “Chant of Immortality”. How many songs can you find?
If you thought you had heard everything in this musical community, think again! Andy Feelin (from Przewalskis Ponies) and The Stone Pit bring us this very creative Russian jazz/ballad fusion telling the story of Big Mac getting put on the wrong side of the law after defending the farm from thieves. The instrumentation follows a very well-composed jazz pattern with syncopated brass and saxophones playing around a sweet, smooth percussion beat. Following a Russian theme of songs about criminals, this community once again shows its creative brilliance!
It’s great to see Djohn Mema releasing more and more originals, and what a power combination teaming up with SlightlyAmiss! River is an intense track that portrays Luna’s remorse from the perspective of the voices in her head that make her feel as if she is drowning in a river. The metaphor is brilliant, the instrumentation hits the emotions very well, and the combination of vocals are spot on! It’s refreshing to see this kind of well-thought out, well-produced heavy metal from a team of such talented musicians!
In homage to the Season 9 opening, Jyc Row has created a thrilling cinematic & electronic hybrid piece about King Sombra. A choir section fades in to establish the expectation of a slow and droning cinematic piece, only for those expectations to be shattered in the coming movements. Low syncopated synths and pounding drums support the larger-than-life string sections. This masterful composition couldn’t be more fitting for the fallen King himself, with artwork by Margony.
In a heartfelt tribute to Derpy, The Wonderbolts spin a tale of the bubbly mare’s struggle and strife in What Went Wrong. What sets this Derpy song apart from many others is the abrasive reality portrayed through a bittersweet plea for understanding, characterized by the rugged instrumental and powerful vocals. One of the most curious defining traits of the song is the overall saturated and analog sounding mix that is present throughout, particularly during the loudest sections, evoking a sense of of looking into the past as well as considering the future of one of the fandom’s most beloved characters. This song is truly a monolith to the fandom, accompanied by art from ExclusionZone.
Zizkil is back with a very clean Rarity track, The Vogue. This one is chock full of bouncy house beats juxtaposed against raw hip hop rhythms, all while accompanied by brilliant Rarity vocal chops. Moods clash and are mixed throughout the track. At some points, it is colourful and glamorous before becoming submerged in bits of deep resonance; the dichotomy between these vibes establish movement and context to the song as a whole, creating a genuinely interesting listening experience. The song is accompanied with fitting artwork from ObscureDragone.
Yet another release from Vylet’s Homeward Album. They combine both parts of Harbour and its really cool how seamless both these parts are despite giving off a very different vibe. If you aren’t already aware, this album is all part of an intricate story that really helps bring the world of Homeward into perspective and I highly recommend you give it a read.
Harbour is actually the song Vylet is listening to on his way to visit Sylver in the story specifically in the first part. We get a very upbeat and energetic rock track that Vylet says helps him to “drown the crippling fear induced by being away from home,” The chorus is infectious and all of the elements blend together to create something truly powerful.
As the song winds down we are met with a *click* and a stark contrast as the atmosphere opens up into the bustle and noise of the Starship Ponyville which signifies the part of the story where Vylet has switched off the song and is waiting for Sylver to invite him inside his suite to reminisce on memories of Equestria and just tell each other stories to pass the time. Now I love these small details, especially when you have the context of the written story, they just breathe an air of immersion and I really appreciate when the little things, be it a conversation from the story, or sound effects are mixed into the music.
From here everything slows down and a soothing piano melody plays followed by some minute glissando and various string and woodwinds with the sounds of the busy life of the starship in the background the polyphony is wonderous and it ends all too soon but is a really touching extension to the song.
Definitely among my top favorite releases of the year, Luck’s new song is a shining example of a heartfelt and passionate rendition of a classic, turned into an expression of community love and dedication. The timeless Africa by Toto get a whole new meaning, and Luck’s tender vocals are making us melt as we experience such an emotional ponification. As someone who loves the original, and who can relate to so many of those feelings, I was so very moved by this, and I will keep supporting Luck, and all of you in the community, for all of my life. Thank you all for everything you do..!!
Horse Music Herald 