SmD House returns after 5 months with Not Allowed, a lovely relaxing piece! The song starts out with some soft orchestral string-esque plucks before building up and adding in some electronic drums to make it sound unique and mysterious! Every piece of soothing synth and catchy drums really makes this feel special. Be sure to also check out their fresh off the presses track To Learn More which is also worth a listen here!
Orchestral
GeekBrony – Long, Long Way | Orchestral
This one may bring a tear to your eye. Celebrating his love for the community and the emotional roller coaster this past year has been, GeekBrony unleashes this emotional tribute to Celestia looking back on all of Twilight’s many accomplishments. Long, Long Way begins very soft and slowly adds some light, high keys. As the song progresses, we get more orchestral elements of brass, big drums, and eventually well placed Celestia chops. There is a touching homage to Celestia’s Ballad that really brings the whole thing together into a touching memoir of GeekBrony’s many wonderful experiences with the show and friends.
Koron Korak – Twilight Sparkle Music Box Melody | Music Box
Ever wanted your very own Twilight Sparkle Music Box? Now you can, for the low price of 1,000 Equestrian Bits! The music that plays in the box is a recreation and extension of the music that plays from the box Twilight forms in A Royal Problem, sounding cute as ever. 30 seconds in, it sounds even more twinkly and lovely to the ears! Along with this came a hilarious commercial for it, which you can check out here.
[P@D] Jyc Row & PrinceWhateverer – Together, Against the Sisters | Symphonic Metal
This might be one of the best orchestral metal songs the fandom may ever see. Track 6 on the freshly-released Ponies at Dawn: Ignite is Together, Against the Sisters, a collaboration between Jyc Row and PrinceWhateverer along with Spanish singer Celica Soldream, and the result is insane. Lyrically, the song paints a picture of a battle between an army and the evils that lurk Equestria through Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon. PW and Celica’s harmonies go very well together, perfectly complimenting the optimistic melodies brought by the heavy guitars and brooding strings. That solo, though!
Kallo Skull – A Kind Heart of Nature | Orchestral/Celtic
Just in time for Fluttershy Day, Kallo Skull brings us A Kind Heart of Nature! This track gives us a glimpse into what feels like a trip outside into the wilderness with Equestria’s best animal lover. Different instruments make up for representations of different animals, such as the flute, timpani and even bagpipes. Nothing sounds more naturistic and organic than an orchestral ensemble!
RedSpark – Elements | Hybrid Orchestral
It’s been a while since RedSpark’s been around! Elements is their first release since March 2017. This new piece mixes orchestral and electronic elements (heyo!) in such an amazing way that makes it feel like it was taken straight from the show, especially during the middle section where some plucked strings take over as the main instrument. What a way to return to the fold!
Harmonic Six – Magic | Orchestral
This track definitely sounds like something you’d hear in an MMO, like background music in a forest! The music here is orchestral, which, with the genre naturally being well organized as well as harmonic, in my opinion really fits Twilight, the character this song is dedicated to! Overall, this track has some spectacular music!
Mane In Green – Firedance | Orchestral
Mane In Green’s works are interwoven and taken as a whole make up a unique piece of art. She only lets us get glimpses of the world she has created at once. We were able to learn about the spring rituals of the pegasi in Rituals And Dances Of The Pegasi featuring Koron Korak, but here we discover a new kind of ritual: the firedance. Usually inspired more heavily by European folk music, Mane In Green’s music ventures here in other parts of the world. However the experimentation doesn’t end here, as the tempo changes during the song, giving a sense of movement which would be reflected in the characters’ dance. Thankfully, it won’t be long until we hear more of Mane In Green’s music: keep your eyes peeled for her collab with Velvet R. Wings on the upcoming Ponies At Dawn – Ignite album!
Koron Korak – Farewell Cerebre Arkor, Stay Safe | Orchestral
In vein of his last track, Koron Korak’s latest outing is yet another tribute to his late brother Cerebre Arkor, uploaded one year to the day on April 18th. The orchestral motif of the previous track is still here with some added ambient pieces, while string instruments and choirs are the most prominent elements here. The theme of Arkor’s favourite number, five also plays a factor into creating the song, as it sits at a length of 5:55. It’s never easy losing a close one, but cathartic release through music can definitely help.
Ocean Melody – Forever Free | Orchestral
It’s great to see Ocean Melody creating more and more often. Forever Free is their latest piece, and the atmosphere is exactly that: free. Dynamically, its soft and calming with quiet pianos, string and wind instruments taking up centre stage while the ambience resembles nature, like the sound of running water and faint wind. As much as I love the powerful and grandiose songs, the slow burners like this deserve a lot of recognition too.
Horse Music Herald 