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Thanks a lot! I looked through all the participants and had found your name as well -- you were just a tad bit quicker ;)

I understand how you feel that the second song doesn't quite fit nicely. It is my first time (I believe?) using sound effects and I severely limited myself in the samples I would use. I'm glad you liked the first song though, my sister liked that one the most as well :D

Thanks again. In the next few days, I'll be sure to rate your songs as well!

Thank you as always for the detailed explanation! When I read the theme, I saw the opportunity to make a wild variety of songs, loosely related by all being 'fantasy- or game-aspects,' as I am very font of creating diverse tracks with varying settings. I have tried a lot of new things: stepping away from the usual "rote loops" and towards songs with a start and ending; adding sound effects and reverb; but also trying out MuseScore4 for once! My job gave me a great laptop that I am allowed to use partially for personal projects, which finally allows me to use new software like this. Of course, this was my first attempt at this, so it's not perfect, but I am glad with the initial result, and I am glad that you like it too :D

Surprisingly, I have never heard the Banjo Kazooie soundtrack (except maybe a single song in a random YouTube playlist). I get my inspiration from all over the place. But perhaps I should give it a listen sometime, as it may be quite well-matched with my music-style.

I am also only rating my close friends; I simply don't have the time to do more than that! I already went through all the names and made a list of the friends I found -- you're on top ;)

Sorry for the late response. Thanks for the detailed explanation! I agree that the piano (which was actually a harp) sounded a bit weird at times; I liked that it moved from left to right but couldn't fix this aspect well. I'm glad you liked it anyway :). And I am glad that the 5/4 time signature I used did not sound annoying!

Sorry for responding so late. Thanks for the compliments though! I agree that the song lacks in certain aspects; this has to do partly with the soundfont I chose to use. I am mostly glad you were not confused by the 5/4 time signature I chose to use :D

Thank you :D. Glad you like it.

And thanks for the feedback. Could you specify what you mean with "the low end of the frequency spectrum could use some more love"? Do you have anything specific you missed?

I may not have submitted anything (as my track really was too bad to submit), but don't think I would miss a new song from you ;). I like how you chose for the "Remake/demake" approach, as the original soundtrack has little chord progressions and melodies - and I mean, that stuff is your bread and butter.
I love how you start in 6/8 and switch to 8/8 at 0:40. And not only that, the tempo seems to change as well. As usual, I did not notice the change, so I applaud you.
The vocals, the piano, and all the other instruments I am incapable of recognizing really fit the coldness well. Once again, a song I wouldn't want to have missed :)

This is exactly the kind of environmental music I am just physically incapable of creating (which is why I did not submit anything). This would fit the game's theme well. I love how simple it is. Great song :)

Nice track :D. I gotta be honest that I still have not heard the original Phendrana Drifts track, but I think this would fit the environment very well! I wanted to join myself, but my song was just too bad to submit. Maybe next time ;)

Wow :O, thank you so much!!

I love the deep explanation, and I secretly high-five myself for you not realizing those signature changes (I was hoping for that!).  Because the last section has a mode-change (from minor to major), an instrument-change (well, the strings become pizzicato and become the baseline), and a melody-change, I was afraid that the section would come too much out of the blue, even with my small (and kinda weird) transition before it. Glad it was still enjoyable :)

And, of course, thanks a lot for the compliments :D. I must say, I also really notice our progress since the last 18 months (is it really that long already??). Your last statement, "I can tell you're having fun when you compose", is definitely true - I already loved composing music, but that love started to die a bit when all I could make were bad piano songs. These jams have pushed me further than I ever thought possible, and the great community of these jams, with you shining on top of it, have kept me coming for (apparently) years! While I, back then, didn't even know the difference between a clarinet and an oboe, now I can even add small gimmicks like signature changes that go unnoticed to the common ear!

So, in short, thanks a lot for being here :). I definitely noticed you grow over the years too. I look forward to some more growth, for the both of us. See you in the next one!

Thanks a lot :D. I might try that sometime, adding river or bird sounds. I absolutely LOVE the sound of birds and stuff (oh wait, you already know this, because you yourself added these sounds!), so I think it could really boost my songs. Thank you for the suggestion, and I'm glad my song puts you into a good mood!

Thank you very much! I love minimalist approaches as it doesn't clutter the sheet and my mind as much. A violin is perfect with its pizzicato and legato capabilities :D. I do my best to make the part different enough to not bore, but still make the different parts cohesive - I think I did a decent job here. Thanks again :)

Thanks a lot! It is indeed a sitar (you can download the PDF if you want to be sure about my instruments :). I am glad you like the feeling and chord progressions :D

Dragonthing: Cool bass synth thingies you got there! I remember from OST Composing Jam #6 that you like your synths ;). I think this fits a title screen, but it could also fit in-game as well - for a sneaky mission of sorts perhaps.

The Wilds: I could see this fitting a wasteland theme. At first, at 0:18, I thought that was the alien-dragon communicating with us; I feel like this fits quite nicely. It feels kinda alien.

Swamplands: Simple yet effective. It is nicely slow and dark, fitting the location. I could see this fit different locations as well.

Beast: Oh yes! Fighting an electronic alien beast! This theme fits very well - the electronic synths along with the quick pace fits perfectly for an electronic beast battle. The roughness of the melodic instrumental synth thingy fits greatly too. 0:58 - 1:40 fits nicely too, like a moment to give you time to think about your actions.

Technopolis: There is that alien-dragon-communication sound again! I like that this sound has become the 'alien' sound. The slow pace and reverb-y melody give this a mysterious vibe. Nice one!

Technocrat: I'm so ready for a final battle. As I'm hearing more commonly, the final battle is actually a bit slower than the other beast battle. 2:15 is a very nice addition! And 3:13 is very saddening and has "let's finish this" vibes.

Really cool entries! Though I could see some of the early songs fit different themes as well, all songs have good quality and consistency. It took me a while to listen to them all, but that is to be expected with an entire soundtrack xD. 

I started out composing only piano music. It was terrible... I did not use any reverb or pedal, and I often just plugged in some random chords and expected them to work. Now I seem to have moved into the complete opposite direction: I rarely use piano anymore. Your song is simple and beautiful. It makes me remember that just a piano can sound amazing. A piano can sound soft, but also harsh; it can sound with reverb, or without. This inspires me to make a piano-only composition again! Nice entry, thanks for making it :)

Dragon of Azure Skies: Nice and diverse track. The repetitiveness of the melody does not annoy and is quite catchy even (something I read was your goal). This is a great intro track!

The Tarragon Tarries On: Simple and catchy, fitting a pause song. Nice :)

Wyverns Abounding: A nice overworld theme. From this view, I expect the overworld to be very peaceful and calm, fit for exploring at your own times with your dragon pal. I like the occasional reverse cymbal. It sounds nice!

Dispute Among Drakes: This fits a simple battle very well. The repeating base is very nice, and the switch at 0:46 was very cool. This is definitely my favorite: it is just very well-executed, though quite simple!

Overall, I think you've got some very solid tracks here! They are all diverse, fitting different parts of the game, and they fit their themes very well. The sound quality is nice, the themes catchy (but not annoying after a while), and the dragon theme is present. Great job :D

Aurora Borealis: I liked how it started a bit tribal, and I loved the sweeping synth thingies that were added. It gives this song a mystical aurora-like vibe.

Before the Storm: That subdivision at 1:00 is wacky as hell! I am not sure what you did, but it feels like you took the (3+3+3+3+3+1) division that many use to give 4/4 a wacky division, but you put that '1' in all kinds of weird places. Not sure if that's what you're doing, but I like it :). This song too has something mystical about it. I am curious what kind of chords you use to get that effect. I also like the drums added at 2:02.

Tales of the Skies: I like the static, it almost feels like rain. The instruments feel a bit like some tuned percussion, and the reverb gives it an almost echoing effect. The changing chords with the repeated melody line gives an interesting tense effect (I am still wondering why it doesn't sound false, except when I try it...). I like this song :D

Stargazing: I love the wind effect, this would be perfect for a song on a mountain top or in the skies. The chords are also quite upbeat.

Overall, I really like these songs! You might not be fully satisfied with them, but I notice that your expectations are a bit higher than mine (although mine are rising!). Great job :)

I like that the songs are quite short. This makes it easier and more fun to listen to. Also, I find it kinda funny that you were late to your own jam ;). Can happen of course, it just sounds funny. (Oh, and what is that font you use for your cover? I like it :D)

I thought to myself, "where do I remember the name 'Ray Nexus' from?" And then, when I scrolled through your works, I figured: "It must be from Songtember!" If that is so, it has been a while; good to see you hear :)

I can tell from your artist message that you had little time to make this, which explains the the repetitiveness and simplicity of the songs. Murnai has a great beat to it and a cool melody, but I just wished for some more variations - whether that be new instruments, new melodies, or new chord progressions. The sustained note in the bass gets stale after a while, and you could switch it up by going for alternative baselines. Nest feels really fitting for a mystical dragon environment with the echoing notes and choir. You've got a solid start, but here too, I would love to see more variation. I notice the common pattern of incrementally adding instrumentation, but sadly that often leads to the same chords and melodies playing for the entire duration. A good example of a song that incrementally adds instrumentation but also switches it up so now and then is Deltarune's 'Scarlet Forest'.

Overall, nice entry, and good to see you here again :D

Your instruments have an old-school quality to them, but sound good though! The choice of instruments works really well too: a form of horn, a flute, a harp, and some strings. They help reinforce the ethereal magical world of  dragons (flute, harp, strings), but also the bad-assness of the dragons (horns). I like the melody and chords, it is nice to listen to. It feels really calm, yet adventurous. I like it :D

(The EDIT was because I accidentally pressed 'tab, space' which caused me to post my comment accidentally.

Ooh, I'd love to hear more chiptune+nature combinations! If you're willing to share it when you're ready (no rush), feel free to send it to me :D

Your music is, as always, delightfully wild and diverse, with plenty of interesting themes and surprises.

The start is very tense yet with some feeling of hope: a great buildup. At 0:48, I did lose track of the beat. But at 0:57 when the other instruments joined, I quickly found it again (and the second listen, I had it immediately). You switch from 4/4 to a form of 6/8 at 1:20, which is funny because you first split your theme in 3+3+3+3+3+1 (=16), and then just proceed to get rid of this final 1 to change time signature. I love time signature switches, so I liked this :)
The OOMPH at 1:37 is sick, and the next part is great with the heavy drums. The instruments fit the theme well, I would say, with the horns, violins, and heavy drums. The chord progressions also work very well. Overall, cool track! Very interesting :D

And I like your choice to "only made 1 song so it's easier and faster to rate :0", though I do like to make a soundtrack of at least 2 songs to play with the interaction (leitmotifs, etc.). As long as all songs are combined of a decent length (such as 3 or 4 minutes), I like it :D

I did not rate everyone's song this time, as I am still exhausted from rating everyone's track from the Spring Tune Jam, but I do rate a small selection of creators I've known for a while - no way I am skipping you ;)

The intro is kinda ethereal, and when the synth joins I get ready for some sick blast...
0:15, that actually made me giggle! What a weird yet somehow decently coherent transition. I would not expect an accordeon or banjo on my journey to ascension, especially given the sacred, holy vibes from the start. But it does add a nice goofiness to the song, which is lovely and well-executed as always.
1:00, this sounds a bit... what is it, Eastern? No, that's not it... Foreign at least, I can't find the word I am looking for. Whatever it is, it sounds nice, that's the point I'm trying to make xD
1:15: this adds a bit of those ethereal vibes back to the song.

Overall, the song sounds great, as always, and I can definitely see that you are trying out new things. The section at 0:15 felt a bit inappropriate to me at first given the buildup at the start, but it does fit the general theme and I did get used to it. Very fun and interesting track, as usual :D

I like the division of the song into two parts (Hanged Man, and Sun); this makes commenting easier and fits given their different nature.

Hanged Man: I love the freeform nature of this song, with slow-downs and diverse sections. It does feel consistent and has a great transition to the next part (Sun). Also, I am always irrationally afraid when I throw a cymbal in my song that people get annoyed by it - you remind me that I was worried for nothing: you bombarded me with cymbals and I loved it! Really cool :)

Sun: Wow, I love the intro! The rise with the drums and synth are really cool. The rest of the song is also quite cool - you nail this 'Rock' vibe, which I couldn't even dream of producing. 

You should be proud of this project, it sounds like it took you a long time to make. Really nice entry :D

I love the beginning: it definitely fits the theme and sounds great! I love (and I mean love) nature sounds, especially combined with music. Also, I think you might be my favorite chiptune artist; many people make chiptune that sounds ugly and old to me, but your chiptune just sounds good (even back at Town Music Jam #2). Great entry :D

Lovely! I have never heard any submission on these jams use vocals only, but I was secretly hoping for one these days. You delivered! It sounds great, really peaceful, like a sacred realm of sorts. Or rather, as a sad goodbye to the Composing Challenges. I also kinda wanted to use as little points as possible, but I am glad I didn't - I would never have beat you anyway! This song is really impressive and a definite keeper, really nice job :)

And indeed... hope to see you in future jams!

I love your description, and I can definitely relate to the feeling of "plateauing with my music" - I too often don't put effort into researching but just slap some chord progression I know on there and add a melody that follows those notes. So for one, great job trying something new!

I also feel like you succeeded quite well. The bassline and percussion work well and are definitely not "lifeless and slow". The song just feels like you are breaking free from your old self and improving!

PS: I don't mind that it is "a bit short"; I actually find this length about perfect! Not too long, not too short. Many of my songs never make it past 1:30 ;)

That's awesome! I cannot play any instrument well; my only connection to music is my composing. I actually dig the cowbells and woodblocks too - I've used woodblocks a lot in the past to mimic clock sounds (works surprisingly well!). Never heard of a flexatone, but I'll definitely check it out :D

I did play one of the Drawn To Life games on the DS actually! But I cannot remember a single song from that game... You have just given me a reason to play it again :D.

Also, I am glad you like it! Thanks :)

Honestly, it was very refreshing to just listen to a "random" song like this, without having to imagine a theme or expect a progression. I like the simplicity of this, and actually, the themes follow each other up very nicely. They are all diverse yet don't sound off. Also, I love the acoustic guitar! Especially 1:30 onward, it sounds so good and the strumming is lovely (Musescore 3 only has 'arpeggios' which don't really sound like a strum). Great song to end with!

Oh, and I have to ask: did you let triangle be worth -1 coins because you ended up with 16 coins for your instrumentation and did not want to leave an instrument out? You're the boss after all! xD

Exactly as intended! Well, the relaxing I mean, not the old-school rpg vibe ;). Thanks

Thanks :D. Given my abundance of 4/4 songs, I have been experimenting with 6/4 and such, and I found this funny rhythm. I desperately wanted it in my song, but it took me the most time to make a solid transition between the two halves of the song!

Just yesterday I found out that this weird instrument I have been using is called a 'vibraslap'! I am impressed you know it. And thanks for the compliment :D

Thanks a lot! Glad you like it :D

Wow, thanks a lot :D

I could not play your game as I have a Mac, not a Windows, but I just watched the video Superchocolatemilkshake made. I loved the intro! I also always include such an introduction, and I loved the voiceovers you included. The portal idea was quite cool too. And don't worry, I also have the bad tendency to make my games too hard ;)

Thanks a lot Charmie :D

Actually, no, that was not intentional! I used as inspiration only a single online video (something with a dragon) for the instruments, and the theme just developed as I went. Perhaps it is one of those accidental plagiarism cases. Glad you like it :D

Oh, I am interested to hear what it reminds you of - if you remember, feel free to tell me! Given the simplicity in chords and melody I used, I am bound to be similar to someone these days ;). Glad you like my instruments :D

I also love fast-paced songs :D. I had recently heard of the Shakuhachi and felt it fitted the theme well, glad you like the choice!

Thanks a lot :D, glad you like it!

Wow thanks a lot! I appreciate the compliment :)