The movie remixes keep coming. So far I have loved all of them, and this song isn’t breaking that trend–on the contrary, this is one of the greatest yet! We start right into this track with a beat and vocal loop and not by fancily fading in elements one at a time, which is a change I very much appreciate. Then when you think you hear the build up happen you actually don’t get a drop; rather we get sort of an interlude that leads us into the lovely vocals from the amazing Kimiko Glenn. Then we actually get to the wonderful build ups and the amazing drop, and oh my is it awesome! We get the usual DnB elements, but we also get a pretty prevalent melody that’ll stick in your head for a while. Within the drop we get to the next part of the lyrics, and we get out of the drop with this amazing vocal fade out. In this next bit of vocals we actually get this awesome echo effect applied to the vocals, and I swear, having the words “unicorn butts” echo in your ears is one of the most fun experiences I have had while listening to music in a good while! I was curious how PONE177 would combine rap vocals with DnB, and I was very much impressed as this wonderful combination blessed my ears. As the rap part ends we get a vocal fade out into the build up, and I already mentioned how much I love the drops! This awesome drop keeps going strongly as the vocals unexpectedly fade into a repeat of the last few lines before actually ending the song, like a unicorn does
Proofread by theCANderson, give some love to him for making my writing look better than it actually is!
Electronic
Alan Schmuckler – Danger, Danger (Pagan Pegasus Remix) | Future House
Today we’ve got ourselves a newcomer to the brony music scene! Pagan Pegasus brings us this amazing remix of the MLP: A New Generation movie song “Danger, Danger”, and, sweet Celestia, it’s awesome, so let’s gets straight into it! We start straight into the EDM vibes with a crash joining the lyrics, but in the beginning Pagan Pegasus still keeps mostly to the original rock instrumental, which is a welcome bit of variety when you compare it to other remixes. The build up in this song is also refreshingly simple–we just get a little vocal loop and an audible cue for “stuff’s about to go down”. And then we get to the drop! I love the drop–it’s unapologetic Future House fun and works perfectly with Alan Schmuckler’s amazing vocals. We then get a background beat after we get out of the drop, but we can still hear the original instrumental shining through. This is something you don’t see very often, and it really works well to make this remix stand out. Next we come to my favourite part of this remix–we get a classical build up, then the build up does a fake out and brings us not into the drop but instead out of EDM territory and into the clap rhythm of the original, and then we get the drop. To quickly talk about the build up to the drop–there isn’t any! We get the “My name’s Rob” line and then just jump straight into the drop, which is a gamble strategically because it might not always work, but Pagan Pegasus pulls it off expertly! This amazing second drop is where we end this wonderful masterpiece!
Proofread by theCANderson, give some love to him!
Kimiko Glenn – Fit Right In (Yellow Tune Remix) | Synthwave
This is a really original take on this track. The synthwave delivery creates a much different emotional dynamic than the silly, fun energy of the movie version. The dreamy, ambient synth opening has a cool retro vibe, and the energy gets boosted by the introduction of percussion and vocals. The vocals are slowed down just a touch to fit the tempo, and the song then works to create melodies that compliment them while offsetting their original energy as we fly over the synth landscapes. I really like the bass heading into the chorus, which adds a satisfying thump, and the bits of effects accents sprinkled throughout the track add a nice depth. The chorus synth melody keeps the vintage vibe going, and a picture of the movie characters in leg warmers and headbands would fit the package perfectly. It’s an interesting and well-done remix, and I hope that you share my enjoyment of this creative approach!
Evgeniy Doctor – Hibernation | Electro House
It’s pretty funny that Evgeniy Doctor based this song on Benny Benasi’s “Satisfaction” (don’t follow that link if you’re at work!) considering how different the subject matter is, but it works! The track opens with cymbals and a buzzy synth line and quickly gets into some great house percussion. Some excellent vocal chops set up the track’s story, and the insistent vibe of the track is explained as Rainbow Dash stresses out about Tank’s need to hibernate. I love the “hibernation” Flutterchop that is used for a bit of vocal melody–it’s a hilarious parallel to the “satisfaction” lyric from the inspiring track. There is some nice depth to the mix and satisfying synth design throughout the song, and the arrangement keeps the energy high and dynamic. I was expecting this song to be a lot more chill when I saw the background art, but I didn’t mind being surprised! Add this track to the holiday playlist!
Daniel Ingram – What More Is Out There (Pagan Pegasus Remix) | Future Bass
[P@D] MirroredReality – Alpenglow | Psytrance / World Music
MirroredReality’s penchant for blending classical instrumentation with electronic elements has created another masterpiece! This particular tune, featured on the “P@D: Aurora” album, is inspired in parts by the song “Alpine Skyline” from the game “A Hat in Time” and MLP’s Yakyakistan, and those respective inspirations are melded fantastically herein. An echoey percussive melody opens the track, and it is soon joined by a synth line that climbs with it through a beautiful melody while light percussion supports the arrangement. Things really take off with the introduction of strings, which add a lovely texture to the melody before the psytrance pulses to the fore backed by a choir melody, a shift that pumps up the energy without losing the flavor of the track. The shifts in pitch on the synth melody give it a world music vibe, the past melding with the new, before the arrangement fades. Another shift brings a whole world-music-flavored electronic arrangement, and the sound design is so good on the synths and chimes that they sound organic, machinery mimicking life. The climb into the psytrance drop and progression to the end have more little shifts that add dynamic flavor. I hope that you will enjoy as much as I did this beautiful track that is a credit to the artist’s imagination and skilled production.
TCB – Congrats, You Were Too Late: A 10 Year Retrospective | Album | Electronic
Okay. I probably don’t need to introduce you to TCB (If you’d like a proper introduction, may I recommend this beautiful compilation album?). All you really need to know is that this artist is one of the foremost practitioners of sound design in the fandom, that no one gets more out of a vocal chop than they do, and that emotional and psychological subject matter is their forte. Now they have given us a whole album of finely calibrated tracks, the product of 10 years of pushing boundaries and redefining sonic excellence. Your musical mind is in the hands of a master, so find a quiet place, break out the good headphones, sit down, strap in, and do your best to absorb everything that is about to come your way. It’s going to be a heck of a ride.
(Continued after the break)
brambleshadow4 – In Harmony (feat. SpinScissor) | Indie Pop
brambleshadow4 and SpinScissor have teamed up to create this super sweet tune that bridges the gap between G4 and G5! Argyle (SpinScissor) shares Equestrian lore and lessons in friendship with Sunny, and it’s nice to have this moment where the importance of the G4 heroes is passed along. The story is musically driven by light arrangements that echo the love between the characters and the love that is present in the stories they share. The strings at the opening help set the emotional hook, and then the string melody, and light percussion pull your heart into the song. When the arrangement fills out with punchy bass and synth keys it has a “small band at a summer festival” vibe. The vocals match perfectly to the arrangement, delivered with a tender confidence throughout, and the little harmony at the end of the song is a nice touch. This song is a big ol’ hug for your ears and your heart, and I hope that you enjoy this sweet story as much as I did!
Sylvver – The Wingpony | Big Room House
Based on the competition that Rainbow Dash had with Lightning Dust in the classic episode 7 of the 3rd season, Sylvver set the fire up with this banger! including that cool rave vibes, and an energetic super saw melody, Sylvver imagines the intensity of those two big friends that fought to see who is better, and to see who can be the best… The track starts with a strong beat set by a kick, and some percussive synths that make you know the whole feeling of the song. Succeeding that energetic and punchy intro, we land into a breakdown, where we can hear how the main melody (made of a gritty and rough lead) grows, and a deep and potent sub-bass, accompanied by the robust chords, makes the way along. After that gorgeous breakdown, a buildup is preparing us for the drop, and I have to admit, the drop hits harder than I thought! Showing the melody in all its glory and epicness, all together into a full symphony of cool synths. This banger is perfect for those crazy rave parties and festivals full of energy and power! It even makes you wanna jump at the rhythm of the beat. Undoubtedly, Sylvver has made a great track, so please, go and listen to this song and be sure to support her, she is a very great an underrated producer!
Vanessa Hudgens – Gonna Be My Day (Enermatrix Remix) | Hooves Up
Enermatrix has taken a whack at this highlight track from the G5 movie, and the result is awesome! The opening synth keys, pulsing beat, and nicely balanced kicks get the party started off right, and then things really take off as the additional synth track joins in and adds a high energy depth heading into the drop. Also, the percussion distorts, pitches up, and then pitches down going into the drop with this cool effect that sounds a bit like an electronic device running out of battery. Never fear, though, because the drop is surging with positive energy, and that energy level stays pumped up through the next verse. When it drops off, it gets some support from some fun chops and effects, and then really builds during the bridge, continuing a really unique progression through the song. The decision to replace the really high vocal run at the end of the bridge with a drop keeps the song delivery even and consistent without sacrificing the energy that’s been built up. It’s a wonderful and original remix effort, and I hope you’ll join me in dancing (flailing) along!
Horse Music Herald 