ILLUMNATION always manage to create wonderful folk atmospheres, and this track is yet another lovely example of that. With beautiful vocals from Velvet, there’s also some very cool and creative instrumentation usage that gives an adventurous atmosphere to the track.
Original
Skyshard – A Dawn for a New Destiny (Boutique of Rarities: The Demo Session Vol 1.) | Electronic/Orchestral
This release from Skyshard is a little different. Originally an unreleased track from two years prior, A Dawn for a New Destiny is now part of a “Demo Sessions” volume; The Boutique of Rarities: The Demo Session Vol 1. to be specific.
A Dawn for a New Destiny is a piece with a hauntingly clockwork feel to it with a music box taking the center stage followed with strong and tense crescendos and falls of strings and even some subtle crunchy noise to add some additional intrigue and flare. The climax has definitely given me a couple chills!
Another highlight from this collection would be the Dune 3 Sequences. The buttery Smoothness of the synths and constantly evolving nature really stands out to me and how the three of them feel connected in a sense is just a really cool feature of this volume that I HAD to point out.
‘Beneath The Sea’s’ early draft is a neat piece as well, very ambient in design with a strong yet subtle piano presence and a very mysterious, sci-fi feel. Constantly progressing and you can feel the darkness and wetness seeping everywhere!
Inspired by the good old days of getting the gang together to record a few tapes, ship it off to a label and cry over the wasted time and money when it gets rejected. Filled with a whopping fifty tracks of assorted origin! Ranging from everything from early concepts to live synthesis performances, memes, cancelled EPs, alternate versions or full rejected songs, this sessions volume has a bit of everything! There’s even a strange ambient piece called ‘Let your ears take it” which Skyshard can’t even deduce what its purpose is!
SnowShovel – Irresponsible (For a day or two) [Feat. StealingShad3z & BreeBree] | Rock
Ever have those days where you just wanna drop every care in the world for a while, possibly to the detriment of future-you? I certainly have, and from the tone of this song, it seems our favorite book-horse has too. Snowshovel nails the classic rock vibes here, which serve as the smoke-filled pool hall where Shad3z’ and Bree’s vocals are your double Screwdriver; heavy, gritty, and it sounds like concentrated delinquent fun (as well as a member of the repeat club!)
SOUND BANDIT – DIMENSIONAL (ft. NIKEDUNK & GULO) | Hyperpop
SOUND BANDIT never ceases to amaze me with their production and visuals. A slower, heavier tune, this one has a powerful trap influenced feeling and the occasional heavily processed MLP sample. The vocals have a lot going on. From distorted melodic riffs to the rhythmic pitch glides, ‘DIMENSIONAL’ is a short, yet powerful song.
4EverfreeBrony – By The Wind (feat. MEMJ0123, Metajoker, Whirldwind, & CyrilTheWolf) | Pop Rock
No stranger to making fun, upbeat pop rock songs, 4EverfreeBrony’s newest track, By The Wind, offers a fresh display of his finely-honed talent. Insightful lyrics delivered with pristine vocal harmonies by 4EverfreeBrony and MEMJ0123 are supercharged by energetic piano, drums, and bass provided by Metajoker, Whirldwind, and CyrilTheWolf, respectively. Together, these talented musicians tell a poignant and relatable story of a couple sailing across the ocean, blown by strong winds of epic change. The couple is scarred and rowing hard, unsure of their survival and uncertain of the future. With such a potent message, By The Wind is nevertheless uplifting and fun, encouraging faith over fear for all who feel precariously blown into uncharted territory.
Jyc Row – Ventae, Queen of Storms | Orchestral
Jyc is no stranger to orchestral music and world building. This track is their second of seven in their upcoming Primordial Pantheon EP, which is part of the ever-growing world of Infinite Eclipse, and is yet another powerful piece to add to their roster! The droning tagelharpa in the background carries significant and ominous weight followed by the accompanied chants, woodwinds, and strings, the soundstage is very wide and tight. Celtic vibes are strong in this one. focusing on the character it is named after.
Be sure to take a look at the video description of this one folks as it is overflowing with a TON of world lore and upcoming information on the series that I just can’t fit into this article and there is plenty more to come!
Ponytronic – Times Like These (VIP Mix) | Drum & Bass
Its been five years since ‘Times Like These’ initially released with the Missed Hearts EP. There’s a notable change in tone from the original with a heavier weight in the emotion. This time around it feels more melancholic with airy and longing vocal chops. There’s a great feeling of nostalgia in this one for me and its always nice to celebrate a key breakout track by revisiting it! All-in-all it’s good tension, and good fun.
BeatSpark – Eventide | Lo-Fi Hip Hop
Melancholic piano? Check. Filtered drums? Check. MLP samples? Check! Jokes aside, we have a short but bittersweet song here from BeatSpark that takes inspiration from a poignant moment in the MLP movie. Take a listen for some downtempo music that gives that rainy day kind of feel…and may be suitable to relax/study to…
Jyc Row – The Whispers In Your Mind (The Crystallized) | Orchestral
Another track from Jyc Row’s ever-expanding Infinite Eclipse series, this piece makes up part of the soundtrack for a planned audiobook based in his original canon. Created as a battle theme, there’s plenty of dark ambient energy to the track, and some lovely impetus placed by powerful choirs and ominous atmospheric sounds throughout.
Ethan Toavs – Yaks Of Ayukia | Orchestral
Ethan Toavs has been prolific in the orchestral scene over the years, with many gorgeous compositions. This track is a release from his Chronicles Of An Odyssey album, which is focused around his OC character Aurora in the world of Rulia. The track itself is a lovely, gentle journey throughout some lovely soft soundscapes that opens up with some additional brightness later on in its runtime.
Horse Music Herald 