Welcome to the party! Don’t worry–I’m sure that Pinkie’s friends were already like that when she found them. Finally, someone has addressed the need for more “dark western trap” (frankly a criminally underrepresented genre)! What’s great about this track (apart from being perfect for making your friends and family worry about your music listening habits) is how it takes elements found elsewhere on the “Shenanigans Two” album and twists them to serve its unsettling narrative. Choirs, synths, and distortion used to evoke wonder or adventure on other tracks create a foreboding atmosphere. The guitar that was a hero on “Chiptune Train” plays its last, tortured notes before never being heard from again. The grooving bass line, introduced after the instrumental opening, pairs with dark chimes to create a twisted music box melody. When joined by the guitar and ominous harmonica, it creates an amazing effect, completing Toby Macarony’s latest masterful layering of unlikely accompanying elements. The song jangles, rattles, and scratches its way to its dark conclusion as the light fades along with your hopes of escaping a terrible fate. All of this works amazingly well with the video, which in turn burns, wavers, and pulses to the music to great effect. To borrow from another Toby Macarony album title, this is grim, dark, and groovy stuff.
Original
Ice Angel – Reunify Once More | Progressive House
Today we’ve got ourselves another song in celebration of the 10th anniversary, this time from the talented Ice Angel. The song starts out with a chord progression so lovely it will knock you off your feet, which is quickly built upon in an awesome way. Instead of a drop where you might expect one we’re met with another beat and even more awesome buildup, and this time we get to hear the awesome, breathtaking drop that is sure to make your head bob along. Then suddenly everything stops and makes way for an awesome piano solo. All of a sudden this House track turns into an epic orchestral piece which is sure to hype you up as the beat starts once more and builds up similarly until the synth changes, giving the whole song a feeling of a journey, a journey filled with awesomeness and unexpected adventures from start to finish. For the end the piano takes over again. My first reaction after listening to this song was to sit in silent for a solid minute until just letting out a single “wow”. Nothing more needs to be said. Go listen to the song!
This article was proofread by thecanderson, so big thanks to him!
[Equinity] Night Blaze – Moontown | Orchestral
When we reviewed Equinity 03: Breach, we said there were so many really good and different tracks. This is one of them. After a few listens I realized this track went way under the radar; knowing what this track is about now, it’s fantastic. The theme is all about Night Blaze’s theory on the origins of the bat ponies and how this song can be is just fascinating! Them living and building a kingdom on the moon with the help of Princess Luna and learning to live their lives with night dragons… Just wow! (Not going to give everything away, the story is in the video description.) This track paints that picture of the kingdom of bat ponies with elements used like the piano, orchestral horns, violins and basses. Some awesome electronic harmonics are sprinkled in too to give this wondrous feeling of a thriving kingdom much like Equestria, (does this hint that Luna wasn’t evil; why as Nightmare Moon in her banishment?) and there is even a pretty epic guitar used with the score, and through this track you hear the bat ponies singing out in harmony as they are thankful for the help of the princess of the night. This is an amazing track that gives any fan of the bat ponies some joy, but the song however doesn’t explain why bat ponies have an addiction to mangos however, LOL. As always, this Qilin asks you to judge for yourself.
Dandelion Ass – A Pegasusgirl in the Secret Garden (feat. Helen) | Chillout
Fluttershy fans, this track is for you. This really captures why Fluttershy is such a beloved character of the show; I love Flutters too. The backstory of this track falls under the familiar headcanon of Twilight outliving her friends. Fluttershy has opened up her own vet clinic, found love, started a family with a stallion named Buddy, they had a foal named after the G1 pony Posey, which is fitting because she is essentially the G1 version of Fluttershy which Lauren Faust molded into the Flutters we love (the full story is in the video’s description). You will be fighting back tears as the melodies of this track tell the story of Fluttershy’s final day. The lyrics are sung by Helen as the singing voice of Posey as she fulfils Flutters’ final request. The elements used are a mix of Lo-fi beats, a pretty and soulful piano, and those harmonies… Oh my goodness, they’re gorgeous! And then the sad end with this moment of power and sadness with such a tear-jerking moment. Helen releases a high note accompanied by all the elements and this violin melody that signals Fluttershy passing away peacefully as her daughter sings to her. How can such a song be so chill and beautiful yet so sad and emotional but also be so good? Dandelion has made something very fitting of Fluttershy’s character. As always, this Qilin asks you to judge for yourself.
[VibePoniez] Bumpy Beats – Hypnosis | Chillstep
After listening to VibePoniez: Homework, this track can go under the radar with the rest of the names on this album, but I promise you that this track is a diamond in the rough, trust me. This track is put simply, how ponies, or us bronies, can be entranced with such emotional music; the title says it all. I hear future bass elements, but it is slowed down and so chill and relaxing, yet you still could just move to this song. The bass and sweet vocals and the lo-fi type elements mixed in is so fun, the composition is well done; so much vibe and body in this tune. Don’t sleep on this track. As always, this Qilin asks you to judge for yourself.
Japkozjad – Stars | Chillstep
Another musician the needs some eyes on them. I got you covered Japkozjad!
How about a track about just enjoying a peaceful and chill moment of a quiet night under the stars, just entranced after a pretty hectic day of activities? You grab some cider and a blanket, maybe invite some friends and just enjoy a moment of peace with how the stars are. The melodies are so enchanting and full of wonder, and those elements are mixed so dang well. The soft keynotes, that rolling wubbing, the finger snaps, the flow of the bassline, those harmonics, all just righteous dude! If you need a track to just think about something deep, this is your track, my friends. As always, this Qilin asks you to judge for yourself.
(You can find him also at his Facebook page here)
Chasing Dawn – Of You | Pop
This is such a powerful display of the vocal talent of one Chasing Dawn. This Brit has a great voice and this track about how people can change is a wonderful display of vocally being able to invoke that emotion! The melodies are soft and dreamy, the lyrics are pretty emotional telling just sometimes people can change due to life or whatnot, and it can be taken as a simulation of life experiences, good or bad. You may love this person. They may be a trusted friend and things just happen beyond your control. It’s a pretty lovely and meaningful track and a real treat by Chasing Dawn. I can’t help but think about how much easier it is to find these feelings in the world of Equestria and how we can learn from that. As always, this Qilin asks you to judge for yourself.
Ditherer Fussbudget – 12 Month Vacation (prod. mcmiag) | Hip-Hop
Language Warning!
After a bit of a quiet spell, Ditherer has returned on a hot streak, this time with the very fitting talents of mycutiemarkisagun who sets the stage with a vintage hip-hop instrumental. Ditherer brings his trademark flow rapping about everything and anything that’s been going on. Never one to shy away from saying what is on his mind, it is fantastic to see that Ditherer is still genius, introspective personality we fell in love with in recent years!
RottenTotten – Canterlot Falls: Project Horizons Music Series | Orchestral
No stranger to writing a series of music around one theme, RottenTotten brings us their newest work based on FoE: Project Horizons. This dramatic orchestral piece uses the strings very nicely to create a sense of tension and danger. The choir “aaahs” add nice texture with harmonies and expand the range of soun to make the setting much bigger and scarier. RottenTotten teases that this is just the beginning of a much bigger project so be sure to stay tuned!
Vylet Pony – Dream Stage | Alternative/Indie
Today we’ve got ourselves another song from the fabulous Vylet Pony! This song is part of her newest album “Super Pony World – Fairytails“, but let’s skip the rambling and get straight into it! The track starts out with some amazing slow strings, which quickly transition into a mix of Irish folk and tavern music. Later on the tavern theme takes over more, but the beat still keeps rather calm. Shortly thereafter the amazing voice of Vylet sets in welcoming all of us to the tavern where one goes to forget about the past. As a pre-chorus you can hear a choir of voices followed by an awesome instrumental part. After the chorus the barkeeper, who is also sung by Vylet, chimes in, and the two talk until the choir is heard again. This is followed up by what I can only describe as the best part of this song: for a few lines the beat takes a complete back seat while Vylet’s voice is layered, which causes the best effect I’ve heard in ages. This song is worth listening to for this part alone. After this the instrumentals resume, and in the end you can hear the other patrons of the Dream Stage talking as the rain falls. All in all this song is a masterpiece, and you should listen to it no matter what genre of music you enjoy!
This article was proofread by thecanderson, so big thanks to him!
Horse Music Herald 