Showcase SHOWCASE: July 27 - August 3, 2025

[attila]

I fixed my mix in the meantime...



at least that is what I think.

yes!!! today the music reminds me the movies. I thought to Requiem for a Dream, probably for the strings (there's a nice soundtrack by Clint Mansell featuring Kronos Quartet, you know)

 

[BiggChev]

@Dusty B

Overall, a very creative beat-tape. I've said it before, but you have style that's very unique and interesting. All the beats bring something cool to the table and each have one really "cool" aspect of them. There are a few that kinda sound long interludes or breakdowns of a longer song. Sample selection across the whole tape is cool. The back half sounds like a more cohesive offering. The first two beats don't quite match the rest of the tape's "vibe."

M&B:
Dope beat and a great way to kick off a beat-tape. Love the raw sound and feel of this...then you take it into this delicate section which is a great creative decision. Drums hit nice and hard.
Rock Cypher:
Definitely an interesting and unique piece of music. Drums are sick, lots of variations and use of fills, crashes, and cymbals. While I like me some nu-metal, this is a bit too much, in this presentation, for me. Maybe it's just a mood thing.
Life After Death:
More super cool drums here. I like the pairing of busy drums against the more delicate/serene music. The arrangement is cool too, but I think there needs to be a bit where the drums mellow out a bit so that beautiful chord progression can shine a bit more.
Fortunate Son:
Cool sample choice and treatment. This feels more like an art project than a beat/song. It's cool but falls under what I said of "long interlude."
The Man:
One of my favourites. There's a cool underground story telling vibe with this one. I really like the way it builds and weaves in elements and finally closes with that piano.
Landing:
Again, more of an art piece and experimental interlude type of vibe here.
Synthetic World:
I wish this one was longer! The drums, space and atmosphere on this are really great! I will say, the way you ended the tune is a great way to close the tape out in general. Again, this would be dope in a longer form.

 

[BiggChev]

P.A.T. - "Gilded"

Cool atmosphere, space, and bounce. Melody/counter melody as usual is really well done. Sound selection wasn't my favourite, and well, we all know how I feel about 808s/Trap style drums lol.

 

[BiggChev]

I didn't do many beats this year. Had a lot of fun with this one though.

Kane the MOD - "Rainy Night In The Park"

Really like the drums on this. As others mentioned, I'd bring that crackle/hiss way down in the mix. I like the texture it adds, but it's a lot. Otherwise, this is a dope beat. There's a sweet/serene quality to it, but still has a nice dark edge. Great sample, and great treatment of it. Only other critique would be to bring the kick down a bit and let the bass line come through a bit more. Really dope!

 

[BiggChev]

@Opium Dave

Police State:
Lots of cool little details here! Little bells, percs, metallic bits, and chimes all tucked neatly into the mix do a lot to add character without distracting from the main theme. Even the little brass stabs with the short and quick crescendoes are fill out the sound a lot. I will make 1 suggestion, and this is mostly in the context of a full album; you have a go to drum pattern, particularly with ghost note/stutter snare. It's great, classic break beat move - but 15 plus beats with it could be a bit much. Overall, there's a cinematic quality to this beat that I do really like.

Creative Catastrophe:
It's hard to describe, but this is both 'dense' and 'spacey.' Like, there are a lot of elements, and space is being fully occupied, but it's a light and airy weight to it. Cool blend of textures/timbres on this...but there is one sound that I didn't care for. That sustained string at 0:48. Sounds like it's side-chained or chopped. Sounds fine at 1:06 during the drop out...but something about doesn't fit with everything else. It's in key...I don't know. Aside from that, another well fleshed out piece that's got a ton of little details that add to the overall richness of the sound, but the main themes still shine. Dope!