@Tomblr - The unquantized, skippy, vibe is hard to pull off - and I think you do it well. Personally, I think it needs used as a fill or quick change to a well established groove. The thing is, you do establish a proper groove in the second theme.,,maybe re-arranging the sections would help in giving the listener a groove to settle into first, then going glitchy. Aside from that, this is a really nice beat...not great because I've heard you at your best, and I don't think this is it. While I think you got the most you could out of the sample, and it has your trademark drums/groove, I think it lacks the "Tomblr X Facfor." The emotive string bit helps to bring that 'x-factor' but I still think something is missing. While this beat definitely demonstrates your skills in chopping, groove setting, and overall vibe, I feel like it's 'half-assed." I don't mean that as a dig, but rather, I've heard exceptional music from you. In fact, I've heard LOTS of great music from you, and I feel like this beat is a sample that spoke to you and you flipped (proficiently) but maybe didn't get all your car and attention. It's good, and I enjoyed, but I'm being hyper critical because I'm certain you're more than capable. I hope you receive the critique with the positive intent!
@BAS Beats - Great atmosphere! I love this haunted house aesthetic. There's some chromaticism and dissonance, that I typically don't care for, but it suits this macabre and spooky feel. I like your approach with the drums - the grit, punch, loose feel and fills. My main take away is, this feels a bit disjointed. The drums are just bit too janky (for my taste) and the melodic elements don't quite anchor well enough to make up for it. While there are some interesting elements that sound great individually, they don't compound seamlessly. What was really well done however, is that bass line! I actually think if you took the other melodic/harmonic elements (especially that church organ) and structured them around the bass, you could pull together a more cohesive arrangement.
