Looking for Feedback

[pwaara]

Hi everyone,

Long time member, but this is my first post to the forums. I am looking for some feedback on a Chilltronica song i submitted. Here is the listing text:

ELECTRONIC CHILL INSTRUMENTALS (AKA Chilltronica) are needed by a great Music Library with international distribution and lots of success in Film and TV placements. They’re on the hunt for Instrumentals in all Tempos that are in the general stylistic ballpark of these references: Blank & Jones present Chilltronica No.2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP_st0Y ... e=youtu.be Blank & Jones - Interstellar (Marc George Remix): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUfNPg1 ... e=youtu.be “Football Head” by Flamingosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hJKhiew2O0 Give them well-crafted Instrumentals with a laid back vibe, current sounding electronic elements, and smooth, slick, grooves that would fit right in with the references. Contemporary sounds with cool, minimal melodies that set an atmospheric, late-night-driving mood will work really well for this pitch! All submissions should be at least 2 minutes long. Good edit points and non-faded, endings will work best for this pitch.

Here is a link to my submission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C105bCyx1b4

And here is the critique:

I like the mood but some of the sounds/instrumentation is not as contemporary as it needed to be here. The guitar is great but a more modern sounding slick and rolling smooth beat behind it is what this track needed.

Stylistically Off Target
Music

I thought I was right on target when I submitted, so I'm a bit surprised on the off-target tick. Trying to figure out what they are looking for from the listings and references remains the hardest thing for me to do. Any feedback you can offer is greatly appreciated.

~Pat

[erynmichel]

Hi Pat--That feedback really surprises me too, though, I know some of the veterans will have something more constructive to say. It's a chill track and I instantly connected with it. This is the kind of music I hope to learn to make someday.

I could be wrong, but I think the key feedback here is "slick and rolling smooth beat." There's something slightly more rollicking about the a la tracks, even though they are stylistically very similar. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's there.

I would save this track exactly as it is, but play around with changing it if you like for a new version. But don't tear up this version, please! I can hear this on "Master of None," if you've seen the show.

FWIW, I think there's a pop 10 seconds in that is really distracting at first. I backed it up a few times and put it through my Yamaha HS5s to make sure, and it showed up every time. That could be offputting to the trained reviewer ear.

Again, truly lovely work and I can't wait to hear more from you.

Warmly,
Eryn

[cosmicdolphin]

I'm only listening on my phone whilst waiting to pick someone up but the first thing that jumped out was the ambience on the mixes of the reference tracks , they have some space around them that isn't audible in yours.

The drums definitely sound more dated and the keys are a bit stiff. ..guitar is the best bit so I think you could have a winner if you can fix the rest.

Hope that helps

Mark

[pwaara]

Thank you for the feedback. I truly appreciate it.

erynmichel, the pop you hear is "record scratch" and it is in the drum sample. Personally, I like it, and it was intentional. It gives the track a more analog feel to me. I appreciate you kind comments. Look for more from me in this genre.

cosmicdolphin, I hear you regarding the drum track. Beats are not my strength, and I need to work on achieving a better groove. Ultimately, I think this is biggest weakness of this track. As for the keyboard track, I like the dorian progression, though it may be a bit too "in the pocket" for this genre. I will try loosening it up a bit on my next track.

I hope to spend more time on the forums getting and giving feedback. Thanks to all of you for being a great community.