This song is fantastic, it's relaxing and just overall great. I was already imagining the layout for this level when i realized it was not allowed for use, please allow.

I can already imagine hearing this in a detective-based game on the DS; major nostalgia.

I like the bouncy piano riffs towards the beginning and the refreshing sound design between the flute, brass, and bass. The melodies are really nice, and so many of the melodic riffs are really catchy and memorable too. The one brass instrument that first appears at :23 sounds a bit inauthentic, but otherwise the instruments don’t strike me as overtly fake. The “reset” at 1:32 was a nice compositional idea, just to break up the frantic energy of most of the rest of the piece. The mixing could be a bit more polished here. Overall, the mix is pretty quiet, and the drums in particular sound very flat. I’d recommend using a little more compression on the drums and turning the ratio up to at least 4:1.

Also, the composition sounds a bit repetitive after 1:32 until around 3:12. Some subtle variations in the largely repeated section in between (or even an extended breakdown/bridge) would’ve been welcome. I like the more minimal outro where you start with a drum solo at 3:37 and then gradually add back the other instruments for the final cadence. The composition here in general is really good - just be careful not to get too formulaic with the arrangement. Otherwise, the mixing could use a bit more help, but the sound design and melodies make this a fun and engaging piece regardless.

Keep at it, PaintedPenguin! Thanks for coming out to the NGUAC. ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.5/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.75/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.5/1
Composite score
8.25/10

It's a challenge to make anything so funky and groovable with cheaper synth emulations of real instruments. I think you've smashed it out of the park there.

I think due to the instrumentation this may perform better in video-game genre, but I don't have very many comments aside from this -- the master is very quiet, and the hi-hats are a bit loud.

I'd prefer bass in the center channel, not off to the side. It can contribute to a feeling of being off balance. I notice the snare is also off to the right. Lots of interesting panning decisions. The brass panning was quite good.

I'm rambling. Anyway, the piece is swinging. Great job!

oooooooo yessssss, very yes. I rarely get to hear something this funky and jazzy on Newgrounds, and I love it. I think my favourite part of this song is the rhythms and that flute. The bass and piano come in a close second for me. If you ever have the opportunity, I'd be so intrigued to hear this piece performed with a live band. I can hear it so clearly in my mind, but I don't mind the samples/VSTs regardless. When the composition is great, it's just great regardless, yknow? Love the modulations throughout the track in particular. That outro... You're a really great composer! 5/5 from me. Best of luck in the finals!