#ph00tbag

[horsemusicherald]

Sonic Rainboom - Arcana | Progressive Trance @ph00tbag Comebacks? Comebacks. Arcana is Sonic Rainboom's first track in nearly 2 years, and was it worth the wait?

[fimmusic]

ph00t’s Favorites 4/29 - 5/12

Exiark feat. Ckibe - Equestria (Jay B Remix)

How did this one get missed? One of the first and best brony trance producers remixes one of the strongest new names in the fandom, and no one notices. It's more baffling when you hear how amazing this tune is. Crisp synthwork, phenomenal pads, and a crunchy, deep bassline. If you haven't heard this tune yet, why haven't you?

ethansight - Lost in Equestria

I haven't seen much from ethansight these days. Lost in Equestria was an older tune of his from over two years ago. This version is definitely much more soothing, and the synth work has a lot more detail. Hopefully this is a signal of more to come from ethansight.

PeKaNo - A Show for Little Girls

I do quite enjoy many of the responses Bloom and Gloom elicited. PeKaNo's is no exception. This dark drum and bass tune is super scary, with all sorts of growling and roaring beasts, evoking how dark and even rather frightning Bloom and Gloom was. Don't listen to this in a dark room. Unless you're into that kind of thing.

GhostXb - Pinkie Swing

The thing I love most about Pinky Swing is how it tickles my nostalgia bone. Early in 2011, when the fandom was still young, music based on sliced show vocals was the way things were done, all the better if it was shamelessly happy. Pinky Swing is all that and a jazz band. GhostXb has really been impressing lately, and I'm excited to see what else he has in store.

Vaceslav - My Past is not Today

I personally felt that My Past is not Today was the strongest of the three Rainbow Rocks tunes to be released. Vaceslav put his own awesome punk rock twist on the tune. Vaceslav's style seems particularly suited to the song too. I think this tune works a hell of a lot better with those heavily distorted guitars.

TenderFlutter - Life is a Runway

I'm a huge fan of the production on this tune. The effects processing and instrument selection align perfectly with TenderFlutter's performance, which is also pretty cash. I feel like there's a lot more character in TenderFlutter's contributions to the tune than the original. But then, I wasn't particularly moved by the original. This version just worked better for me.

Evdog - Running To/From

I love how each new element brought into this tune recontextualizes the stuff that came before. This is a tune that really rewards paying attention. There's phenomenal synth work that bounces around between both stereo channels, so it's easy to get lost in this tune.

[horsemusicherald]

Sonic Rainboom - Honeycrisp (feat. Faux Synder) | Electro-Pop @ph00tbag @TheFauxsynder Building off of the relationship established between Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle, Sonic Rainboom teams up with Faux Synder to tell the baker mare's side of the story.

[horsemusicherald]

.@ph00tbag - The Fuck-Up (feat. @FrancisVace) (@n_dominique Remix) | Electronic A much delightful take on an original full of depth and emotion, this remix from Nicolas Dominique is sublimating…

[horsemusicherald]

Sonic Rainboom - All of It | Psytrance @ph00tbag Get ready, because this is an eight minute epic. Sonic Rainboom delivers a good array of sounds, melodies, all for the rebellious Queen Chrysalis. Almost apt enough for a BGM for an actual action game. Check it out for awesome sounds of battle!

[horsemusicherald]

UndreamedPanic - Cold (Sonic Rainboom Remix) | Psytrance @ph00tbag @UndreamedPanic NB: This is an edited version of what was originally posted on Equestria Daily on 21 February 2017…

[horsemusicherald]

[P@D] Morgsch - Let The Sun Rise (feat. Itchigotchi) (@ph00tbag Remix) | Experimental Pop Another remix of a track featuring Itchigotchi's beautiful vocals, this time it's Sonic Rainboom's turn to show some…

[fimmusic]

ph00t’s Favorites 4/15 - 28

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

Peanut Crunch and qdBrony - Golden Oak

There's not enough music out there in 3/4 time. Thankfully, we have guys like Peanut Crunch and qdBrony making tunes like this. I like this tune for its impressionist lyrics, primarily. The memories of the time in Golden Oaks really did make it a home for everyone, and this tune definitely makes good use of that.

ForeverFreest - Changeling Lullaby

Something about the filter on the vocals in the verses of this tune really makes the theme work, for me, personally. I think it just makes the tune really creepy. I really love the production on the vocals for this tune, and its creative use of double recording.

HACKD - Welcome to my Lullaby

I'm really digging the production work in the intro to this tune. Reference is made to the sample use throughout the tune, but the intro is where the Hardcore Rave birthright is really earned for this one. I also really like the relatively proggy development of the tune. It's rare for Hardcore to really take its time, and it's refreshing to hear some that lets you bask a little.

Sights Unseen - Into a Dream

Yeah, it's more music about the Golden Oaks library. This one is so worth it, though. I go back and forth on Sights Unseen's stuff, but he really blew me out of the water with this one. The heavy reverb on the tune is actually really instrumental in making it feel really dreamlike. It's also amazing that I don't really want to stop listening for the tune's nearly ten minute duration.

fractilx - a cutie mark won't change you (dreaming mix)

This tune has a really neat vibe to it, like several tunes are playing at the same time, which just work together. Those drum edits are a lot of work, and the level of detail in them is more than a little impressive.

The Wonderbolts! - Golden Oaks

Look, the topic of Golden Oaks is just really laden with pathos, and I can't just stop posting music about it because there's a lot of it. The Wonderbolts!'s take on the topic is amazing for its atmosphere. And that's more than a comment on the bird sounds; the guitar's meandering melody is perfect for the topic, and the style is a surprising but not unappreciated break from the stuff The Wonderbolts! have put out thus far.

ertrii - Your Shadow

This tune has a heck of a lot of impressive design work going into the pads. But more than that, it's just a really effective chillout tune. The synths in the intro are some of my favorite, for being so thick, and for having such an effective creepy vibe.

MUM-B1 - YmuOsicU

Ahhhhhhh, it's pony Vaporwave! I got really excited when I saw the thumb for this, because it basically screamed Vaporwave. I always really like it when someone explores obscure styles with pony music, so Mumble poking in for a little bit with a tune like this is a double whammy of excellent.

GhostXb - Celestia's Mantra

The vocal edits on this one are absolutely phenomenal. I love the stereo work that gives the sense that you're surrounded by this whispered, incoherent lyrics. I can see the relation of this to the tune's theme: a mantra, in the sense of a repeated phrase used to invoke a meditative state. This tune does a good job of that.

Freewave - You Can't Get Away From Your Own Shadow

The coolest aspect of this tune is the way the vocals are subtly chopped up so they align with the super bouncy rhythm. Speaking of the rhythm, it's super fun to bounce to in my chair. Anyway, the best part of the vocal chopping is that it actually allows for some really cool transitional polyrhythmic fills without any extra bells and whistles on the backing track.

[fimmusic]

ph00t’s Favorites 4/1 - 14

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

TenderFlutter - Bad Girls

Classic Rock is really good for the Dazzlings. Weird details tend to really make some tunes for me. This time, it's the way delay is applied to the vocals in this tune, which just scream 80's rock to me. I'm also a huge fan of the guitar solo. I think this is the perfect tune to play when you're alone with your bad girl, if you know what I mean.

I've Got to Find a Way (Brilliant Venture Remix)

I'm always kind of ambivalent about dubstep/complextro stuff. In this case, it's not even so much the drop that does it for me. I actually just think the intro, interlude and outro are just that satisfying. The plucked chords are thick and punchy, the arpeggiated mid-bass is fat and resonant, and the lead melody is unique and creative without sounding random.

Hay Tea - Kratia

This is a tune that has me literally from the first strains. The sampling work on the pad line gives so much character to the sounds used, and I absolutely love the drum fills used in the tune. Most of all, I love how the bass is thick and juicy without having to rely on any mid-range tones, which means it doesn't interfere with the drums or pads. You can enjoy everything in this tune.

JOSHH - Utopia

The equality aphorisms from the brainwashing scene in Cutie Map were pretty bleak. JOSHH apparently agrees with me. Utopia captures pretty perfectly the subtle darkness of the town's philosophy, while also really managing the energy levels of the tune. You can probably also guess that I'm a huge fan of the acid lines in this tune.

Liteheutz - Bonds of Friendship

The rising tones in the intro of this tune make for a hell of a lot of tension in the build-up, and they last so long, it actually kinda hurts. But it's a good hurt. It makes it that much more satisfying when the tune resolves into its chorus, with its wide pads and wistful melodies.

Hydra - Alicorn

I'm weird. I'm the kind of person that doubts that a trance tune can really ever be shorter than six minutes. That's why I'm really happy that Alicorn is eight minutes. Things develop really slowly in this tune. And they're supposed to. It makes the Uplifting Trance melody that much more powerful when it hits. And all throughout, that rolling bassline that just gets you moving.

SteelChords - Counting Sheep

We need so much more A Capella stuff like this. SteelChords sings every part of this cover of Counting Sheep, which makes the whole thing feel a lot more personal. As a night owl, I know that the relationship people like me feel with the night is pretty intimate, so the closeness of this tune really resonates with me.

Progressive Element - Depth of Everfree

I feel like over time, the Everfree Forest has become a less and less threatening place in the pony universe. Depth of Everfree puts me in a soothed state of mind, which reflects the gradual changes in perception the Everfree has gone through. It's also apt that such a gradual change is depicted through a very deliberately paced Ambient House tune.

Sights Unseen - Equalize

The thing that really makes this tune for me is really chord structure. It's so dark and bleak, but Sights Unseen creates a melody with lyrics that just captures the twisted ambitions of Starlight Glimmer in an almost sympathetic light. There's a lot of great sound design, too. I like the lead synths, and the vocoders on the vocal segments. I also love that Midi-esque Xylophone synth.

[fimmusic]

ph00t’s Favorites 3/18 - 31

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

Spectra - On Appleloosa Hill

I actually like the production on this parody a bit more than the Gorillaz original tune. The pad has better stereo imaging, and I like the synth work more, too. I like the somewhat hopeful way the lyrics handle the topic of Over a Barrel as well. For me, the tune evokes the friendly resolution of the conflict in the episode really well.

Torchwood: Equestria OST - I am the Night

More people need to pay attention to William Anderson's work. Luna's Theme is one of those motifs that perfectly suits the character, and I'm thrilled that Bad Timberwolf paid homage to it here. The tune then moves on into some lovely synth-orchestral rock, which reminds me of Mannheim Steamroller in arrangement, instrumentation, and composition. So if you want a short list of ways to ingratiate yourself to me, here it is.

Sights Unseen - A Rarity

The synth rock sound of this tune is really cool. I'm a big fan, naturally, of the little acid synth that solos between each verse. I think what really sells me on the tune, though, is the simplicity of the design. It sounds counter-intuitive, but sometimes it's nice to see the production take a back seat to the music and lyrics.

Sprocket ft. YourEnigma - The Hiatus

This tune has me chuckling whenever I listen to it. Sprocket's use of sampling has some great timing here, and pretty well sums up how this long hiatus has felt for many fans of MLP. I really love the little jazzy piano solos peppered throughout this tune, as well.

Outside the Day - Runaway

I'm absolutely loving Outside the Day's singing here. It's very unembellished and relatable. I also love the the way he transitions between different harmonic modes between the choruses and verses. Because of this, there are different moods in the different parts of the song, and it emphasizes the strain on Scootaloo that the chorus expresses.

[fimmusic]

ph00t’s Favorites 3/4 - 17

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

Shurrikane - Cantus Fletus

This tune has an amazing build. "Progressive" music is really not a concept unique to EDM. The art of gradually bringing in elements to a relatively static repeating theme actually started with orchestral music. Shurrikane is keeping the tradition alive in Cantus Fletus, and the melody he uses is really quite moving, making the build-up really satisfying when it hits its stride.

4EverfreeBrony - Honesty

I admit, I'm perplexed this cover of Archers of Agincourt's Honesty never really got a lot of exposure. I mean, sure it's 4Everfree, so everyone heard it anyway, but not many people talked about it. I think it's something to mention. The element 4Everfree brings in here is the detuned piano, which puts me in the mind of someone (somepony?) sitting down at an old keyboard in an old home and playing the tune as a pick-up. It doesn't really change the tune itself, but it changes the context, which is worth a listen.

DJRedSkY & New Reverian - City of Pink

There's a classic quality to this tune that I really like. The design on the bass and the simple rhythm make me think of the nineties and simple pleasures of a good old prog house tune. Oddly, I disagree with RedSky and Reverian on whom this tune is about, though. I think it feels more like a Rarity tune. To each their own.

Pencil Eraser & Sonikkureinbumu - Wake Up Call

I like the sylistic blend here. Pencil Eraser's Emo style combines here with a bit of a more experimental electronic sound. The sound selection and melodic line are definitely meant to reflect the sound of an alarm clock. True to form, Pencil Eraser's lyrics use the world of fanon to draw parallels with the artist's own perceived flaws. I like when songwriters do that.

Kaminadash - Come Back Today

I've been really digging Kaminadash lately. Every one of his tunes is full of such simple cuteness. Come Back Today is one such tune. Musically, it's simple, which is fine because it leaves room for the listener to think about the message of the lyrics. In this case, it's about a topic that's been on my mind lately as well--the nature of Rainbow Dash's devotion, and how it simultaneously contrasts with her nature and also defines her.

Hay Tea - Cantiga Por Luna

Maybe it's just because it's a tune about Luna. I do really like the many ways Hay Tea gives a lo-fi vibe to this tune. Obviously the dirty vinyl effect, but also the detune on the piano. For some reason, these intentional artifacts of imperfect recreation make the tune feel more authentic.

Callenby - Here

This is a wonderfully soothing tune to listen to. I get the sense it's about that simpler time in Celestia and Luna's life, which they sadly cannot go back to. I think my favorite part of this tune is the plucked instrument that fades in here and there playing straight eighths. That sets the whole tunes atmosphere for me.

Indie Notes - Tales of a Babs Seed

Boy, there's been a lot of unplugged rock here, hasn't there? But hey, Indie Note's ode to Babs Seed here definitely needs to be mentioned. This is such an emotive examination of Babs's state heading into her premier episode. I don't usually like when vocalists choke off the ends of notes, but it's a perfect choice for this tune, belying Babs's outward appearance of confidence.

SoCal Ponytones - Goodbye Celestia, My Baby

I can't tell you happy I am to be hearing Barbershop inspired by MLP. I used to be in a quartet back in high school. We never actually sang Goodbye my Coney Island Baby, but I would have liked to. It's definitely a fun tune. The parody lyrics of this tune are a little more serious, but the upbeat nature of the tune makes for a comical juxtaposition.

[fimmusic]

ph00t’s Favorites 2/18 - 3/3

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

Callenby - Someplace Beckons Near

The use of blue notes in this tune is really phenomenal. The instrumentation is really conducive to the mood, as well, creating a very dark, Everfree-Forest-evoking atmosphere. Probably my favorite part is that sick bend near the end of the first minute. I feel like it sets the tone for the rest of the tune really well.

Comet Glider - City of Dreams

This tune by newcomer Comet Glider has a really great, driving rhythm to set the tune, but it really takes off when it hits the half time section, with that amazing fuzzy bass. The thickness of the bass, and the full chords, plus the excellent stereo image really make the choruses of this tune so impactful.

Hay Tea & FluffyKitty - Social Anxiety

The bassline on this tune is some really classic ish. You should also pay attention to the Amen Break edits in the transition. The drums are tuned along with the chord progression. Details like that are rarely observed, but can really add a whole lot more oomph to every chord change.

Doc Monochrome - Equestrian Sunrise

The opening of this tune is very reminiscient of the old Vangelis style, which is pretty freaking awesome if you ask me. I'm always going to be a big supporter of rolling basslines with moving chord progressions. The progressive development of this tune is also perfectly employed to evoke the rising of the sun, which was clearly its intent.

Strik9 - Warrior

This has been a good post for looking at dark tunes about the Everfree and/or Zecora. Strik9's sound design is as incredible as always in this tune. I'm particularly a fan of that synthesized growl in the tune's opening, as well as the reversed synth sounds that come in during a number of the transitions. 

Sean Cafferky - Winter Waltz

I am still amazed at how underrecognized Sean Cafferky is. This composition is goddamned gorgeous. The midsection uses dissonance really well to build back up to the second chorus, which itself feels like a perfect melody to encapsulate not only Rarity's beauty, but the essence of her character.

[fimmusic]

ph00t's Favorites 2/4 - 17

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

Vaceslav - Porcelain Doll

It's kinda weird to see the names Injustrial and Vaceslav in the same place. Injustrial's style is intentionally harsh and forboding, where Vaceslav tends towards a smoother, melodic style. Understandably, this cover is totally different from its source material. While, in the original, the screams of "I hate you," feel more, well, hateful, Vaceslav's interpretation sounds mournful. I love the total change in mood; makes for a very interesting listen.

L-Train - Seaponies

The Seapony theme as surf rock is kind of an obvious interpretation. So why is L-Train the first, and really only person to make a concerted go at it? It's easy enough to appreciate this tune just on the strength of it being a call-back to some oldschool pony lore, but don't forget to pay attention to the solo. L-Train's musicianship is always worth a good listen.

Dalken Starbyne - Phases

I like the way this tune really slowly develops and changes character over the course of the tune. The thematic parallel to the Moon dovetails with the establishment of Luna as the subject in the lyrics. Dalken Starbyne's voice is smooth as silk, and his style complements the tune's droning nature quite well.

Sprocket ft. A Whole Lot of Bronies - TESTIPONY

It's really cool that Sprocket put this out there. I'm not really putting this one in this because of the music. It's excellent, to be sure, and the orchestration really supplements the impact of the words. But the reason I'm posting this here, is because, honestly, it's nice to be reminded of the power of this show, and this fandom, to truly do good things. While it's easy to get caught up in the drama, and fine-grained analysis, songs like this remind us that we're all here to hold onto that little bit of joy, and share it with each other.

Resonant Waves ft. Captainfluffaton - The Temple of Life

The atmosphere in this tune is absolutely phenomenal. I'm always blown away, and rather humbled, by how effortlessly ambient artists like these two guys can fill a space with a handful of well-designed synths and samples. My favorite parts of the tune are the percussive sound that seems to be coming from behind the head, and the slightly distorted pad that closes the tune out. They really round the tune out for me.

idkQuicksilver, Vaceslav, and Guitarbrony13 - Paranoia

I think I've said it, but in general growls tend not to do it for me. This tune is a rare exception, though. In part because of the detail in the instrumentation, especially the pad design in the breakdown, and the guitar work and edits in the climax. This is also a pretty massive collaboration, so I have to appreciate that, as well.

TenderFlutter - Tu Presencia

Before I really even know that I won't understand a word of this tune, the drum programming kinda has me sold. While I don't know Spanish all that well, I do know that I love TenderFlutter's singing, and I can definitely appreciate his decision to use several instruments from his home country's culture. More than anything, I love to see music from all over the planet represented in our humble fandom.

TheBurntMango - Past the Summer Clouds

Okay, so it's some feelgood music about Rainbow Dash. It stands to reason I'm going to like it. But this is some really good stuff regardless. Melodically, this tune captures that side of Rainbow Dash that we rarely see, but that everyone knows is there. I love when that's the focus of the tune. I also love the oh-so-subtle pad that follows the piano's sustain, giving the tune its airy atmosphere.

[fimmusic]

ph00t's Favorites 1/21 - 2/3

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

Vaceslav - Barriers

Vaceslav keeps putting out incredible music, and Barriers is very true to form. What I love most about this tune is the way the lyrics convey how impossible Cadance and Shining Armor's relationship seemed to both parties outset, and how that just tore them up inside. There's a lot of pathos there, and Vaceslav and Itchigotchi really capture it.

Art Fonseca - Loyalty

So Loyalty, by AcoustiMandoBrony, was one of those instant classics a few years ago, and the thrashy rock sound was chosen as emblematic of Rainbow Dash. But Art Fonseca decided to take a bit of a creative risk by using a more Fusion-inspired sound, which appeals to me a lot. It really feels particularly good in the Chorus, and in the solo.

Nicolas Dominique - Through Chaos

Call me predictable, but I hear a Trance tune from Nicolas Dominque, and I can't stop myself from telling everyone about it. Among the increasingly rare active Trance producers in this fandom, Nic stands out for his ability to build without it feeling like a build, then you wake up from the hypnosis, and the tune has suddenly gotten very intense. I wish there was more music like this these days.

Egor Lappo - Stop the Bats

One of the best things about this tune is actually watching Egor Lappo play that truly terrifying eight-string. Lappo really pulls me in for more listens on this tune with the details, though. He finds a lot of little places to insert creative little licks that give the tune a lot more character.

Warbalist ft. Metal Mare - Harmony of Life

The Bossa Nova rhythm on this tune is really a whole lot of fun. The Jazzy feel is a whole lot of fun in general. Metal Mare has a really full alto sound, with great control, and phenomenal range, and Warbalist's Guitar solo is really strong. Shouts out as well to Pashoo for his horn work. This was a tune off the latest Seeds of Kindness album. Definitely check it out.

BlackStone - The Unrequiter

If this is just the test version of this tune, I can't wait for the cleaned up version. The indie rock style is a perfect fit for this tune, what with Trenderhoof serving as, at least partial, inspiration. Whenever Main jumps into those falsetto notes, I get a little smile on my face.

Mr BronyDash - The Life of Freedom

In Life of Freedom, BronyDash seems to be channeling a little bit of Johnny Cash. As a result, this tune kinda gives a feeling of nostalgia. This is one of those tunes that appeals to me for its simplicity. Thematically, it's quite appropriate, as well, with its focus on Applejack striking out on her own.

Adam Sporka - Ultrafast Galactic Bebop from Outer Space

With this tune, I just want to get up and start moving. Sporka is making a really neat use of disonance in this tune. In combination with the bouncy rhythm, and old-school sound design, this tune is a great ditty to get down to, just as Pinkie Pie would like it.

Spectra - Resistance

I was sold on this tune the moment that that rock solid rolling bassline kicked in. I guess in the end I really am a sucker for the tropes of good old trance music. I mean, this whole tune just puts me in the mind of some good old Cygnus X tunes. The transition in the breakdown to a more orchestral rock sound is really interesting, and really helps the tune's charm.

3Spirit - Enchantress

In the last year or so, 3Spirit's really been coming into his own as an artist. There's a lot of really cool detail in this tune. The sound design and sample selection in this tune are definitely on point. I'm a really big fan of the way the congas are use to very subtly suggest the driving rhythm of the tune.

Aphylliate - Power

Everything on W.I.T.S., Aphylliate's latest EP, is definitely worth checking out, but Power is definitely my favorite. If you've followed my highlights very closely, you can probably guess why. Yep, it's the bassline. Also, the liberal application of laser zaps and acid stabs. In general, this is a great paean to the classic rave music of the 90s, which is something I always support.

KaminaDash - Bubbles

I usually just kinda roll my eyes (haha) when people make stuff about Derpy Hooves. It's not that I don't like her, but usually it feels really forced. That said, every once and a while, someone makes something that just feels like it gets the character. Bubbles does that. Without really having to make direct reference to it, the tune captures her unwavering sincerity.

[fimmusic]

ph00t's Favorites 12/25 - 1/20

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

Sprocket - SWEETIE HELL Attack of the Maniacal Laughing Rarity Cloud

Sprocket made a good choice using the Romantic style in this tune. It allowed him to use instruments as sound effects, and through that he could create a scene and tell a story. Sometimes the relative ambiguity of music makes it hard to tell what the tune is about, but Sprocket did really well with telling the story of Sweetie Belle's dream sequence through music. Be sure to check out the whole Shine Together album, which benefits the Against Malaria Foundation.

Silly Ditzy - Through the Clouds (Wubbaducky ChillOut Remix)

I'm always a fan of Wubbaducky's sound design. It's through that skill that he takes Through the Clouds, and makes it his own tune. I'm particularly fond of the the reversed piano work, but the chopped up high pass rhythm synth is also really cool. No knock on Silly Ditzy, but this is the definitive version of this tune for me.

Flyghtning - Griffo

It'sbeen good to see solid hard techno really getting a foothold in brony music, and Flyghtning really is one of the best at it. Griffon has a really classic composition to it, which takes me back to the nineties. I also have to point out the way he manipulates the vocal sample to manage energy levels; subtle, but effective.

EnsionD feat. Evdog - Open Skies (ExplodingPonyToast Remix)

Now this is a remix. ExplodingPonyToast took a very minor part of EnsionD's original tune, and made it the entire focus of his version, and it makes for a really adorable sound, which makes me just want to dance like no one's watching. If the point of a remix is to make a tune entirely yours, then PonyToast gets a shiny gold star for this tune.

EnergyBrony - Apple Orchard

Sometimes, I start out liking a tune because it's a good tune to have on in the background. This tune starts out like that for me. But it actually has some really good harmonica and guitar solos toward the end that make for good active listening as well. Let's get some more harmonicas in brony music, folks. Stuff is too cool.

Vaceslav - Coming Home

In the last couple weeks, Vaceslav has literally exploded onto the scene with a constant torrent of incredible music. I don't put multiple examples of an artists work in any one of these things, mostly because I'm lazy, but that actually made choosing one of Vaceslav's tunes really hard, because they're all so good and genuine. I chose this one because Luna is Best Princess.

dapifubuzu - Forest of Many Moods

There were a lot of good tunes on Mindscapes, but I wanted to highlight this one in particular, because I think a lot of people don't quite get it. There's nothing wrong with that, because this tune is challenging to listen to. By that I mean it actively challenges a lot of preconceptions about tempo, melody, key... just about everything that makes music music. In the FiMM Skype chat, I noted that this tune is amazing for people who listen to way too much music (like me). I still think that's an accurate assessment; all the rest of the stuff I listen to is just more of the same. This is new.

Wandering Artist - The Art of Flight

I really love how this tune bursts out at the very start. It's supposed to be credit music, so that's a good way for it to start out. Overall, the tune has a very Copland-esque feel, which is fine by me, since I'm a big fan of Copland's work. I also really like the way the tune kind of fades out. This is a solid piece of OST work. Be sure to check out the Recasted audio drama if you want more of Doe's work for that.

Reuel - A New Day

This is a pretty phenomenal tune. The drums are pounding, and the sound design creates a really powerful atmosphere. I like the contrast in energy level, too, between the A and B sections, which is actually conveyed through rhythm, instrumentation, and through chord structure. Having all these elements work together makes the tune that much more effective.

[fimmusic]

ph00t's Favorites 11/27 - 12-24

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.

Buffalo Brony - New Song ('Bout Pones)

I can definitely feel Buffalo Brony in this tune. I relate to the feeling of not being able to keep up with life (note that I'm about a month behind, give or take, on all of these spotlights as of this posting). But what I relate to most is the subtle joy of thinking about ponies, and the camaraderie felt when among fellow bronies.

I don't know what's up with the Cola Bottle Baby sample, though. Every time it plays it makes me think my phone is ringing, then I remember I don't have that as my ringtone.

WeirdStone ft. SDreamExplorerS - Poslyedniy Alikorn Последний Аликорн

I do quite enjoy this tune on a number of points. The guitar work is excellent, particularly the solo, which is no surprise since SDreamExplorerS is behind it. I'm a fan, in particular, of the chorus in this tune. Rhythmically, it's very driving, and the harmonizing just makes me feel really good.

Specta - Filler.mp4

o god how did this get here i am not good with computer

Spectra will probably be absolutely mortified that I've posted this here, but I don't care; I'm having too much fun to consider his sense of dignity. After all, we're all here to have fun, at the end of the day.

MrBronyDash - Speed

I've probably talked about how much I love MrBronyDash's voice before. It's still pretty awesome in this tune. There's also the fact that this tune is about Rainbow Dash, which is something I always support. I really like the depiction of Rainbow Dash dealing with her working class struggles while working towards her real dream, since that is something I can identify with.

Owen Duff - You'll Play Your Part

I've really enjoyed following the A Little Bit for Charity event, and songs like this are the reason for that. Owen Duff's psychedelic take on You'll Play Your Part takes a lot of rhythmic liberties with the material, but the changes are tremendously effective, even moreso, in my opinion, than the original. Aren't those trumpets cool?

Woodlore - Quills and Sofas

Alright.

Rarity Advocate - Pinkie Pie's Organ Prelude

I'm always excited to see brony musicians trying their hands at stuff that's fairly underrepresented in the community. I'm actually surprised, in retrospect, that more organ compositions didn't show up directly in response to Castle-Mania. Thankfully, we have Rarity Advocate, who's actually been doing a lot of neat Baroque stuff lately, if you're into that kind of thing.

M. Aestro - Hearth's Warming Eve

In this tune, M. Aestro blends a number of modern production techniques with the arhythmic and amelodic concepts of impressionism. I love what M. Aestro is doing here with delay, and all the ways it creates and resolves dissonances and rhythmic idiosyncrasies. It actually does a great job of evoking the image of a light snow, and hence, Hearth's Warming Eve.