Hide the Light

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Hide the Light

Author Comments

Hi!

It's been a while since I've had the time to compose something for Newgrounds. I have spent a month in England, partially for a university course (I've been helping out and teaching at a primary school), and partially to hang out with Jordi (etherealwinds).

Despite having a very busy summer this year, I wanted to take part in the Art Inspired Music contest, as I think I've done so every year since I joined.
I took some time out of my night to compose this piece yesterday, inspired by YakovlevArt's "Eclipse":

https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/yakovlevart/eclipse

He's a fantastic artist whom I've been following for years, so I really do recommend to check him out!

https://yakovlevart.newgrounds.com/

After composing the piece, I read in the AIM2019 rules that songs are expected to reach a minimum of 3 minutes. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to add anything else to the music, as we're preparing to go back to Finland (and then Japan!), but I still want to participate. Hopefully, you'll like the music regardless!

Enjoy :3

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VaguerOsprey906

2021-12-17 12:06:47

its beautiful...

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thank you :)

Phonometrologist

2019-06-23 15:12:41

Since you’re headed to Japan, I’ll describe this one as a little haiku. Interesting and pleasant enough to leave an impression of images in my mind as different instruments come and go, but not enough for me to really analyze a universal meaning from it I think.
Though, I think the first 8 notes(2 chords) introduces what is needed to know the theme of this piece. You outline a B-flat major 7 chord in a way that allows the reverb to carry the d minor from within it since the root of the chord is not it's lowest tone. Then you outline the F Major with that lingering B-flat starting the motif of the second line. If those two notes can be telling, “A” and B-flat, semi-tones in melodies often illicit sadness, but because that’s within the context of two major chords, I would say the title of the piece is describing a sense of trying to hide it. Even the two semi-toned notes in the beginning can be heard in two chords when you have the haunting chant at 39-42 seconds. When the chord resolves to that C minor, my soul melts. It’s a feeling I would describe as a nostalgic pain that has been felt universally for centuries as it cannot be explained. Perhaps the sliding tones downward can mimic the cries of a mother losing their child and this has been engrained in our bones from the beginning of time. Whatever it may be, hiding the light seems to be the therapeutic thing to do at first. I can just listen to the opening 4 notes over and over, and appreciate your choice of arranging them. Sure the timbre of that sound helps, but there’s something simplistically beautiful in arranging a sound that states optimism and caution in the beginning of a track that later becomes filled with intrigue, awe, and sadness.

However, I do get a sense of airiness and light toward the end of it, but the title is “Hide the Light.” Well, the silliness of doing such a thing is comparable to harvesting water in our grips in the hopes that no drop will fall. Even if one could shut themselves away from the light outside, and to keep ourselves from volatilizing, this track can remind us that the light will not cease to permeate from within until our final breath.
Well, truly in the spirit of an haiku, one can simply enjoy three little lines upon first reading, or one can meditate on something deeper in between them. Thank you for it.
It would be nice have you two for tea or coffee sometime.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Ooh, seeing this got me excited. It's been a while since I got one of the long reviews I used to see (and give) a lot on Newgrounds a few years ago. I appreciate you taking the time to really listen to the piece, and even giving it some analysis!

I wrote this piece mostly in chromatic order (though I did add/change some things here and there later), since I didn't have much time. I actually pre-selected most of the instruments, based on the kind of sound and emotion I wanted to portray, inspired by the art. I was surprised by how easy the actual composing came, when I had the sounds I wanted to use ready! I think I'll try to use a similar strategy for a more ambitious piece at some point, maybe even for the NGADM (assuming I pass the audition round, of course).

Anyway, the point I was getting to, is that the first thing I actually composed and that paved the way for the rest of the piece, were indeed the first 16 notes. I thought of repeating them once right afterwards, but after some playing around, I changed them around a bit in order to go well with the other sounds, such as the chant. I feel like the progression became more natural this way.

Another thing that inspired the piece, was using a fair amount of VSTs I rarely compose with. I have so many that I figured I should probably use them every now and then :p
It is difficult for me not to be drawn to the Joshua Bell Violin though; I don't want to become too reliant on it, even though it's wonderful.

As per usual, you have a very hitting analysis of not only the musical intricacies, but also the more in-depth aspects, such as the emotions and narrative interpretations. It always lights up my (already bright, with the midnight sun and all) days to read the thoughts of a listener, especially yours! I agree that there is a bit more hopefullness and light at the end of the piece; I wanted it to open up a bit. That said, I ended the piece on a pretty closed chord, and maybe it should've been more open. Then again, the shortness of the piece still allows for the "story" to continue after it ends, I feel.

I really enjoyed reading your interpretation, and it's not far from my own ideas when writing the piece either!
I would love to come over for tea. I am sure at some point in my life I'll visit the US (not sure what states though; probably depends on the opportunities, unless it's a vacation).
By the way, have you written any new music anywhere? If so, I'd love to hear it! I'm not very good at checking many other sites where people hang around. I am reachable on discord though.

Thanks again for the review, and I hope you have a good day!

TaintedLogic

2019-06-17 15:11:42

I love the ambiance here. Reverb is beautiful, especially combined with the haunting pads. Definitely has a celestial vibe about it, and I absolutely love the collage of instruments on display later in the piece, from the cello to the electric guitars to the piano. My only complaint is that the piece needs to be at least 3 times as long to satisfy my craving for ambient music. Fantastic work, Ale. Your production skills have improved a lot recently, too. Looking forward to hearing more from you soon! ^^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

I'm glad you liked it! I just got a new reverb plugin, which makes the sound a lot less muddy, even if you use a lot of it. I had fun picking out the instruments. You're right about most of them, but there is actually no cello, the Joshua Bell Violin just hits some pretty low notes ^____^

I know! It totally should be longer. Alas, it's time to move back to Finland tomorrow :3
Thank you for the review :D

etherealwinds

2019-06-17 13:12:09

Very proud of you! You made this in such a short space of time from scratch and got it sounding so amazing. You never fail to impress me. That Valhalla reverb takes your mixing to another realm too.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Aww, thank you! I had a fun time composing it. It's always fun to compose with something else in mind (in this case, an artwork), as it sets some constraints. I find that the constrains really help with inspiration, especially with art like this :)
I am very happy with my purchase of Valhalla indeed!