Wandering Artist constructed this song with the intention of mimicking the G5 movie’s structure with a predominantly light and carefree feeling, and they were unquestionably successful! The track opens with a fantastic, jazzy arrangement with a classic feel that is supported by the rest of the orchestral instrumentation. The interplay of the instruments that comprise the melody is delightful, and the addition of accordion was a great choice (there’s just something about accordion that contributes an intimate and grounded feeling to an arrangement). The brass, woodwinds, and keys dance with the plucked strings, and then the instruments take their turns at the fore, at times and swell together in glorious unison. The sombre piano interlude in the middle fits the song perfectly, and the ebbs and flows of the progression are lively and engaging as it morphs through multiple styles, even taking on an electric guitar lead towards the end. The song has an amazing balance of powerful and delicate moments throughout, and it’s no wonder that it earned a spot on the “P@D: Aurora” album!
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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.
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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!
Thrasher – false_code | Album | Metal / Electronic
You can always count on Thrasher to deliver intense excellence, and here they have created an entire album’s worth of awesome, hard-charging music based around a fantastic concept! A hacker is trying to save society from the malicious clutches of the “desync reality”, a virtual world that promises salvation but instead exploits its inhabitants. The album follows the unnamed protagonist’s progress by delivering song after song of inventive and merciless metal encapsulated in finely crafted tracks that meld fierce guitars and traditional metal arrangements with electronic components through dynamic progressions. It fits the theme perfectly, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. I’ll give a rundown of the songs next, so please join me below the break if you care to. Either way, go grab this album and get rocking!
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RedSpark – Dragon Magic | Epic Orchestral
RedSpark brings us this truly incredible piece, an epic orchestral song about one of the most dangerous yet majestic creatures in all of Equestria, you guessed it, the Dragons! (and about Ember the dragon, more precisely). The track begins with a really deep and eerie bass, that is gradually getting accompanied by a gentle shakuhachi (that RedSpark played himself!), it’s as if both instruments were exploring harmonies with a delicate melody. Very slowly, but with all the determination, the piece grows, an agile string instrument and a heavy drum kick can be heard, the instruments are building tension through this introduction, but like a shocking blaze, all the instruments arrive at a first climax. Some Horns build the terrain for the next section, the strings and the shakuhachi make a great sound landscape. But little by little, the strings are striking harder, and the horns are getting louder, moreover, you can feel more tension, the harmonies and the melodies are going higher and higher, until a drum fill make them release, only for a few seconds, when another climax appears, it’s monumentally awesome (man, I got goosebumps when I heard that part), all gets more imposing and majestic, no words can describe how epic it sounds. So please, listen to it out! And I’m completely sure you will find a pleasant surprise.
Nymund9 – Being a Princess | Electro
Nymund9 give us this phenomenal song that imagines the events before the new MLP Movie, it relates the thoughts, feelings and dreams of Zipp Storm, the princess of Zephir Heights. The song opens with some punchy kicks and a rough lead synth, you can feel all the frustration and emotional weight that comes with being a princess. After that introduction, we get a break, where we can only listen a piano and a small synth arp that builds a bit of tension, some vocal chops from the movie can be heard, and another arp makes its melody through the track, this time, in a higher pitch. Subsequently, the punchy drums and the rough lead make a come back, they return and mix with the other synths. The harmony of the song is incredible, the atmosphere transmits very well that tension of the feelings of the lyrics about Zipp and her questions, her role in society, and that desire to live in a better way, without the need to lie to the ponies. Please hear this truly marvelous tune and give some support to Nymund9!
Maddie Tourmaline – Princess Tiffany | Progressive Rock
BGM – Aeronautical (feat. RAInbow Dash) | Drum & Bass
This is a really wonderful tribute to Rainbow Dash! The gentle, ambient opening strings set the scene beautifully before we soar into the blue sky on an awesome percussive melody and fast-paced D&B percussion. Then the bassline kicks in along with electric guitar to get the pulse pounding before the vocals join the arrangement. The TalkNET vocals are awesome–it’s pretty magical hearing Rainbow Dash relate her own experience of soaring through the clouds, and the multiple vocal tracks and care put into their incorporation really makes it feel like she contributed to the production herself. As the blue pegasus challenges the listener to keep up, the production maintains a breezy but pulsing delivery perfect for slicing rainbows through the Equestrian air. Enjoy your flight!
Nyancat380 – Sixty Twenty Twelve (feat. SpinScissor) | Latin / Electronic
Nyancat380 continues building their “Methodic Ways to Break a Mind” album with this fantastic track! The song has an AMAZING groove thanks to its fusion of Latin instrumentation and EDM elements. It kicks off with the sounds of a crowded club before launching into a brisk beat and horns melody. Then it jumps into the main bass groove and the vocals (heck yeah for the awesome lyric video!), and all the accompanying percussion and effects build the arrangement beautifully. The call and response between the vocals and horns heading into the chorus really reinforces the awesome club vibe. Then a breakdown after the second verse pares the arrangement down to a bit of melody and spare percussion which sets up the eventual resumption of the vocals and horns beautifully. The “Cool AF Spin Scissor Solo!” (love the description) adds another dynamic element to the track, and Spin Scissor’s guitar supports the track to the end. The song is ridiculously groovy, dynamic, and polished, and I can’t wait for the rest of the album and pieces of the story! Bonus: there’s also an acapella version of the track if you want to get your remix on!
Horse Music Herald 