AIM 2023 Judge Review
Listening to this and reading your description of your childhood was intriguing and I think this entry certainly manages to capture the vibes of a particular time period, if it is one that I have a very different perspective on. As a kid, I never really was into the high-tech fantasies of the future from the perspective of the 2000s. Anyway, this track is an absolute jam. The sound design definitely captures that futuristic energy and the layers all work together incredibly well. I especially love the syncopated chords that add a percussiveness to the texture alongside the drums (the ones that start at 0:23). In general, I think the sound design and the composition suitably reflect the colour palette of the art inspiration and it was interesting to use the art as a means to delve into the sounds evocative of your childhood.
If there's one thing I could point out as a nitpick, I think the drum rolls going back into the main groove at 1:24 could have been a little more impactful. I think the lighter brushed snares were a bit too tinny and it felt like there could have been more weight to the drums at least leading back into the main section, especially because of how impactful the rest of the track is. But other than that, I think the track has great pacing and placement of breaks.
Overall, I think you did a great job with creating an entry that feels very vibrant, fun and evocative of an era. That acid bass is absolutely delicious and makes this track extremely replayable.
EDIT: Wow, those being DJ scratches makes so much more sense now LMAO. Now I'm wondering what a snare roll would have sounded like there. 🤔