#phootbag

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ph00t's Favorites 6/12 - 6/22

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to these special tracks.

"I'm cutting this feature set off a little early, because I'm off to Ireland tomorrow. But the good news is that means even more stuff next time around. I'll see everypony again when I get back!"

EDIT: Were missing images so this spotlight got published a little late. A great track is still a great track so check out these gems from last month.

Reuel - Cadenza

This tune is one of those that just gives you a "wow" moment. Cadance's solo from You'll Play your Part is originally an uplifting tune. By changing the chord pattern, Reuel makes the tune into something downright spooky sounding. I really like the final effect of it, since it's entirely unexpected, but hauntingly beautiful in its own way.

Tempus - Eternal Rain

I don't really care for the whole #savetree thing. I'm holding out hope it was just an elaborate joke. However, I do still find the loss of Twilight's tree to be very moving in it's own right. Tempus's take on it is really quite beautiful. My favorite bit is the acoustic guitars with all the reverb on them. But that's not to take from the rest of the tune, which is all quite lovely.

Dynamite Grizzly - ZAP APPLE JAMMIN'

Hi NRG? In my Horse Music? It's more likely than you think. Dynamite Grizzly's always shown himself to have a broad reach in terms of musical style. Here he shows an ability to make some pounding NRG trance music, with all kinds of yummy acid and hoover lines. The Nine is a Classic sample is a cute reference.

Resonant Waves - Out of the Ashes

Resonant Waves is one of the go-to guys for excellent ambient music. He also takes a stab at the #savetree music. His take is nothing short of gorgeous. It's really important you listen to this on a really flat system with a good stereo field. There's so many amazing sound effects in the high register that bounce around the stereo space, and provide the atmosphere that Resonant Waves is so good at evoking.

Sean Cafferky - Peaceful Dreams

It's always cool to see the way different people put their interpretation on Luna. Peaceful Dreams gives her a lullaby-esque tune. What sells the tune are the bells that play during the chorus, and the third verse. The second verse is quite lovely, too, but for me, that little bell sound is perfect for the lullaby tone that Cafferky is setting.

Starbreeis - Away (Jackie)

Starbreeis blew me away with Tour, which has all kinds of atmosphere and soul. Jackie is another one with soul. Hard to believe it's just a demo track. Despite that, I wanted to drop a mention of it, though, because Starbreeis puts so much emotion into her singing, and it's some of the prettiest singing in the fandom. Be sure, too, to check out Julian Moon's version with a bit more processing and a guitar line.

Synthis - Dreamchaser Stargazer (EnsionD Remix)

Dreamchaser Stargazer is a rare tune with really evocative lyrics. EnsionD has really made his own tune out of it, too. This tune makes me think of the late nineties trance sound. That arpeggiated synth line was so endemic to the genre in those days, and the phaser that's applied to it makes the effect even more profound.

Airis - Ignis

Show of hands; did anyone else ever go to any of those battle of the bands competitions with all the young amateur garage bands from around town? That's what this tune reminds me of. What this tune lacks in the polish of a lot of other music I post on here, it more than makes up for in sheer authenticity. The lyrics are particularly juicy in their descriptiveness.

Ponytronic - Into Everfree

This offering from Ponytronic creates a trippy and spooky atmosphere with some really spastic beats. I think the part that really sells me on it, though, is the vocoded "Beware" samples in the beginning. Nothing tells you you're in for a ride like a robot telling you to beware. It's also really intense when the tempo drops and it turns into a growly and aggressive drumstep track.

Acouste Wholenote - Simple

There's something of an unplugged metal vibe from this tune, which I really enjoy. It makes me wonder what the plugged in version would sound like. And what can I say, Rarity Takes Manehattan was one of my favorite episodes of the entire show, so any song that deals with it is a-ok in my book. The real question is, is it about Rarity or Surry?

Patrick Poe - Mare in the Moon

There's a synthesiser in here that makes me think of Vangelis, which is always a win in my book, but that's not really all there is to this tune. The sound design is in general really dumbfounding. I love the pitch-bending synth that sounds like howling wind. I love the noise sweeps. I love the twinkling bells. There's so much to love in this tune.

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Ph00t's Favorites!! 2/5 - 2/19 Features

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to 11 special tracks this week. We’d love it if you gave them a listen!! Don’t forget that faving and reblogging is key to keeping our features going. Now after that plea, here they are:

Mogul Dash - Echolocation (Bats Remix)

Echolocation does just about everything a show remix ought to do. The sound design and production are spot on, of course, but more interesting is the way the track explores different motives over the course of the tune. Mogul Dash changes up the accompaniment to suit the mood of each verse, making the tune extremely cohesive throughout.

Level None - Fly

Level None is another one of those musicians that probably deserves more attention than they get. It might just be because I'm a fan of Rainbow Dash, but any song that explores her approach to friendship and relating to others is not only analytically interesting to me, but also gives me a warm feeling in my chest.

DJ Haardtek - Neverending Nightmare

DJ Haardtek is a fairly new name on the brony Trance music scene, but he's already been impressing with his pumping Hard Trance. Just about anything from his recent stable is worth giving a listen (and there's a lot of recent stuff since this guy's prolific as a rabbit when it comes to making music), but Neverending Nightmare is particularly fun with the buzzing acid bassline in the intro.

Caden L. Welborn - Freedom of Pony

Caden L. Welborn takes his time on tracks, and it shows. Breakthrough blew me away so hard I didn't think it could be matched, but Freedome of Pony has done it. There are so many little things, an entire article could be written about it, but I want you to listen to the drums in this tune. Give this tune a listen, then subscribe to Caden's YouTube, because he needs more subs. Supposedly he's got some indie stuff in the pipeline, so it's an exciting time to be following him.

Callenby - Alone She Wakes

Alone She Wakes is very appropriately titled. The cello part evokes a sense of solitude not only in the notes it plays but in its relative isolation in the piece. As wonderful as the cello is, it's still important to take a look at the accompaniment. The piano is non-invasive, but the atmosphere on it further evokes the idea of a large room with Octavia its sole occupant.

Hay Tea - Hush Now

Hay Tea just kind of came on the scene in the last two or three months, and is making some of the best Liquid DnB out there. Hush Now is one of the better examples of his work. He's another one of those artists who's making great stuff almost every other day, so definitely hit up his YouTube if you want to keep up with it. There's not really the space to highlight all of the good stuff he's done in the last two weeks.

Agents of Discord - Parasprite

Here's one that should get you grooving. The drums in Parasprite make for a really fun rhythm, but the real draw of the tune is felt when the leads kick in. The formant filtered synth is really trippy, and the plucked synth line is hypnotic. And then Agents of Discord throws in the best part--a classic TB 303 Bassline acid line in the climax. It's amazing how a twenty-year-old bass emulator makes better squelches than a modern wavetable VST.

Moonsy & Rhyme Flow - I'm Ready (Unthinkable TiaCord Mix)

Well, I don't care much for the subject matter--I don't think Celestia and Discord make that great of a ship. But this tune has so much soul that I can't really ignore it. The drum samples in the chorus are excellent, and the lyrics flow really well. If, for some reason, you actually ship Celestia and Discord, this tune's a great anthem for you.

Vylet - Back to Love (Die Smiling Remix)

Either there's always been great acid in the Brony community, and I've just never noticed it, or there's been a bit of a resurgance of it. Either way, I'm really happy about it. Die Smiling makes the case for Acid House with this remix of Back to Love, giving a brooding sense to the original tune.

Nexgen feat. Aoshi, Biscayne and Versal - I'm Not Addicted

So I've never read Fallout Equestria (yeah, yeah, save it). Thankfully, you don't need to know much about the book to enjoy this. The Aoshi, Versal and Nexgen all display great talent for writing here, and Da Mane's production is top notch. Isn't it crazy that I usually don't highlight hip hop, but now I've got two tunes in one column? Crazy what the world's coming to.

Faux Synder - Everypony's Got Somepony But Me

And in recognition of the dreaded fourteenth of February, Faux Synder has a ponification of Everybody's Got Somebody But Me, by Hunter Hayes. Faux brings a level of sweetness to the tune that I didn't even really get from the original.

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Phoot's Favorites: Jan 24 - Feb 5 Features

Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to 10 special tracks this week. We’d love it if you gave them a listen!! Don't forget that faving and reblogging is key to keeping our features going. Now after that plea, here they are:

Le Soldat Pony - Fortuneteller

Le Soldat Pony always goes. Fortuneteller wows with the detail in the detail of the production work with the Rhodes Organ. This detail is most apparent in the breakdown, which contrasts stunningly with the atmospherics of the rest of the tune.

Flyghtning - Rainbow Dash in the Wonderbolts

This tune takes a while to get going, but once that FM synth kicks in in the breakdown, it's all worth it. Far from aimless knob-tweaking, Flyghtning makes a melodic line with the filter cutoff and fm frequency, blending it perfectly with the melody of the tune.

Screams From Equestria - I Have Dreamt

Here's something completely out of left field for Screams From Equestria. Have some Celtic Folk. Natas's voice is still striking, even in the softer environment of this tune. The music is at times wistful, at others ominous, with a really satisfying cadence at the end of every phrase. This tune is going to be part of the Pounce Aid album, so check it, and other great tunes, out here: https://www.facebook.com/HelpPounce

Stoney Blues - Stand Up

While Screams From Equestria wanders from their metal roots, Stoney Blues picks up the slack with some classic-sounding Heavy Metal, right down to the heavy reverb on the vocals. Songs about Applejack's relationship to her dead parents aren't uncommon, but this tune brings out the heavier side of it. This is part of another compilation album, Winter Nights, highlighting the Russian Brony Music scene. Check it out here: http://tabun.everypony.ru/blog/music/84726.html

Przewalski's Ponies - Tabun

And here's another tune from Winter Nights. Now we have some EBM. One of the most satisfying parts is where dəep's laughter syncs with the rhythm section in one of the fills halfway through. If Stand Up wasn't reason enough to pick up the Winter Nights Album, this should give you another great one.

WoodLore - Giving Manehattan Back

This is some Acoustic Rock that really tugs at the heartstrings. A response to the events in Rarity Takes Manehattan, this tune hits home harder than the Generosity Reprise. Part of that is the wonderful lyrics, and part of it is in the way Woodlore sings the tune. Subscribe to this guy. I see more good things coming from him, and Celestia knows he needs the subs.

Love is in Bloom (Danielkon Remix)

Get ready for a remix of a remix. I always find it funny when a theme introduced by a remix becomes so emblematic that other remixes cannot be made without it. The melody from Archie's remix of Love is in Bloom is much like that. Danielkon has his own take on it with a little bit more of a groovy spin.

The Shady Pony - You're No Harmony

Well, we're all bronies, so I'm positive all of us have at least a Trillby, and many of us have actual Fedoras (I actually have both). So go grab your hat and put on a slick suit, because we're listening to some Ska Punk. The Shady Pony gives a nice track to bounce to, and renders the genre perfectly. We've got enough Dubstep, Complextro and Metal in this fandom. Let's get more Ska like this.

Mush - Spring Harvest

I don't usually put Chiptune in these columns. It's not really because I don't like it, but rather, I'm never sure how to judge it. In this case, however, you can definitely color me impressed. Spring Harvest sounds to be perfectly at home in any eight bit video game.

ImTheMoon - The Flower at the Edge of the World

ImTheMoon brings us some impressionist piano now. It's easy to see the piece representing the flower growing out on that cliff over its various stages of life. Put this one on in the background and let it take you on its journey.

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Our buddy and staff member Phootbag (ie Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to 3 special tracks this week. Give them a listen!!

Stars in Autumn feat. MIU - Allegrezza Good Trance is rather difficult to make; it requires a lot of attention to detail. The development of the motives in Stars in Autumn's trancer shows this attention to detail in spades. MIU's singing seems to clash often with the key of the tune, often seeming a little out of place, but trance thrives on such conflicts, and the tension lends the piece a hint of aggressiveness, which is released just before the outro. Survivors of the Siege - Overthrown While rough around the edges, Survivors of the Siege's latest blood offering to the Great Discord is cathartic in its own way with a gritty garage band feel. The mixing leaves much to be desired, but there's a fire in this tune that burns into you regardless. If grunge is your thing (and let's face it most of us grew up in the 90's, so it really ought to be), then this is a group to keep an eye on. L-Train - Cragadile Rock This tune is one heck of a trip. Mostly taking an orchestral thrash metal tone with its verses, the tune turns more into surf rock territory with its bridges, which certainly puts the notion of a cragadile into a surreal context, but it's certainly a fun change of pace from the frenetic pulse of the rest of the tune. It all culminates in one of L-Trains excellent solos, which really captures the scene's panicked pace well.