This is a great time for pony music. New faces are are showing up while old ones are returning, already existing labels are developping while new ones are being created. In terms of chill music, 2019 began with Spikey Wikey’s mix showing there was demand for this family of genres that had been previously left aside by the fandom. Later this year, Tw3Lv3, Steryotype and TheTaZe undertook the responsability of building a scene from the ground up in some sense and produced decent amounts of music to relax/study to, to quote the YouTube stream that rose lo-fi to the popularity it has today. In september they created the label VibePoniez that sought to “promote brony artists who make chill music”. They had expected to have 3 to 4 lo-fi tracks overall on their debut album but it went much beyond their expectations as they recieved submissions from a great diversity of genres and even some from big names in the community.
This long EP starts off with meme tracks from the label founders themselves that are nonetheless very pleasent to listen to. Single Purpose‘s track Setbacks is short, sweet and minimalistic and uses a heart wrenching Octavia sample. Paloris‘ i still miss you makes creative use of Twilight vocal chops from I Have to Find a Way and has a great deep bass which creates a terrific chilled out atmosphere. TheChristmasSong(ChestnutsRoasting) from Steryotype is exactly what you’d expect from him: clean classic lo-fi beats. Reflection by Rayne Dear, an alias of PhonicB∞m apparently, uses some nice percussions made up of various sounds they recorded in their dad’s kitchen. Tw3Lv3 made a liquid drum & bass remix of GrazySmash‘s Dream from Helpie’s Corner: Other Side Of The Mirror, which definitly falls under the chill category. :Twi: by TCB will get a post of its own soon. Happy Mood is Insane Domi aka Mr.Sunset’s first ever released track. Even though it didn’t quite make it in Equinity 02: Catalyst, with a few tweaks and help with mastering from Tw3Lv3 it became a rock solid track to relax to. Lorris Power Note‘s Sentiments brings yet another genre to the album being a cute vocal chops-heavy synthwave track. VibePoniez’ first album and sucess ends on an ambient piece by GrazySmash which comes off as a surprise considering Grazy had only made hard hitting music so far.
Now we almost have enough for a 24/7 pony lo-fi radio! Make sure to follow VibePoniez on Bandcamp and YouTube to catch their latest releases!
Synthpop
[VibePoniez] Power Note – Sentiments | Synthwave
Synthwave is becoming an increasingly popular genre in the community and Lorris Power Note being a pioneer in this recent surge kept at it and created this lovely emotional track for VibePoniez’ Hearth’s Warming EP. The adorable vocal chops introduce a beautiful melody right from the beginning relayed by the synths that couldn’t be more on point. The ’80s kick and snare help set the tone too in this delightfully chillaxed track.
7th Stive – Outrun | Synthwave
80s vibes for days! Synthwave is a rising genre in the fandom, and 7th Stive’s take on the genre sees a crossover between the 80s influenced genre with a more modern style of electro house, a combination that works really well. The melodies are beautiful and the modern synths along with the 80s pop drum samples mesh together like they were meant to be. What more could you ask for?
Koron Korak – Constellations (Covering Aviators) | Synthwave / Orchestral
Originally intended as a gift for a friend, Koron Korak remade the instrumental of Aviators‘ Constellations from the ground up for his cover. Turning the kick down a bit was a great idea to make space for the synths and more importantly the violin. Koron Korak’s signature instrument replaces the original vocals and as he puts it, the violin is his voice. Dancing while playing in Lindsey Stirling style is quite a feat, especially when the music is this good!
Tw3Lv3 & Power Note – What If We’ve Met on the Pony Town Bridge | Lo-fi / Synthwave
Tw3Lv3 wanted to bring more lo-fi in the community and has arguably achieved that very goal. This time it is a cute collab with Lorris Power Note featured on Release, Tw3Lv3’s album you surely have heard of. The track is very rich, borrowing elements from various genres, including hip-hop, trap and vaporwave backed up with a vinyl background noise. Chip-tune and video-game inspiration fits nicely the adorable very short story told by the title and visuals.
[ASOS] Cynifree & Reverbrony – Void Walker | Synth Rock
Another Cynifree track? I’ll take it. Track 35 from ASOS: Waffle is a collab between the aforementioned Cynifree and Reverbrony. What follows is a six minute long 80s style electronic piece with the addition of a distorted guitar provided by Reverb as the finishing touch to an already great piece. If these two were to work together in the future after this, I’d be down to see it!
Power Note – Blood Pony 2019 | Synthwave
We can always count on Lorris/Power Note to bring those tasty Big Fat Pony Donuts, am I right? The batponies are invading the stage for this re-imagining of Blood Pony, complete with renewed signature Synthwave elements of pure beauty and bliss, and cute melodies reflecting the appeal of the batponies so well. A lovely release for sure!
Morphmoon – I Like Fast | Synthwave
You like fast? You’ll probably like this too. This track is a quick-paced synthwave piece from Morphmoon, formerly known as Lunar, and being as such, it takes influence from older forms of electronic music, such as an 80s sounding bass, though the overall feeling of the song reminds me of module music from the mid to late 90s. I guess you could say that synthwave’s making waves in the fandom right now!
Koron Korak – Faraway A Light | Synthwave
Koron Korak returns with another unique piece to add to his equally unique collection of music! 2 years in the making, this is a synthwave track that takes on a handful of different moods, with one section taking on a hopeful feeling, while the next takes on a darker tone while keeping the 80s-inspired aesthetic all the way through alongside sprinkles of Queen Chrysalis voice samples. He’s stated that this song was made through channelling emotions, and it shows well.
Power Note – Late Night | Synthwave
When the night has come and the land is dark, this track should suit the mood perfectly. Power Note brings forth a chilled out synthwave number with voice samples of Fluttershy. The synth-driven beat and her voice seem to be a match made in heaven. Sounds like a beautiful combination, right? Even when she’s not singing, the music still sounds fresh and full, even during the soft synth and piano breakdown. Synthwave and electronic lovers alike, you’ll all love this!