Qing Richy and Little Rodney are Siblings (derogatory)

JUDGES' BREAKDOWN

1. Ben Tarkus

   6.00/10 score · rank #17 of 23
   VOCALS 5

   PRODUCTION 6

   CHALLENGE 7

   There's a lot going on here and I like the idea but I struggled a little with the execution. I don't want to play this game either but I would like to see more in the chorus, make me feel it more! I really like the passion in the words but it could have been slowed down just enough to let yourself express it properly.

2. Mark Cooper

   6.67/10 score · rank #21 of 23
   VOCALS 7

   PRODUCTION 6

   CHALLENGE 7

   ● Good submission! I can see how this can be a metaphor of it being a video game and how life can be hard, but I feel there could have been a little more to describe that feeling other than references from an RPG alone. The hook was very sudden and could have been arranged a little smoother. Solid lyrics overall. ● Production: nice use of the soda opening as an open hi-hat! Some of the placements were little off the grid toward the second verse. The melody and drums were fine overall. Try to make sure everything is lined up in the right spot in the DAW.

3. LEX the Lexicon Artist

   6.00/10 score · rank #18 of 23
   VOCALS 7

   PRODUCTION 4

   CHALLENGE 7

   Thing 1 being compared to Thing 2 Life/Society/Health = Video Game Life = Blank is a common theme and comparison this round, but this feels very specific and, and r/outside coded. Despite the message being a bit hackneyed, it’s decently well-executed with the gaming analogies. It gets quite deep and specific with gaming terminology while still making sense within the metaphor of life. “mid tier build couple points in athletics not enough in aesthetics buffed genitals but debuffs from genetics” - lol that’s a flex and a self burn at the same time I like that it starts off describing OP’s stats so you immediately get a sense of the circumstances he’s born into Vocalist could work on diction a bit, he’s got good flow. Chorus is a good idea, but feels a bit incomplete. Needs better execution / a different melody? Production is a bit too spare and minimalist for my taste, could use more elements and dynamics/arrangements Whole track feels a bit unfinished

4. Klopfenpop

   6.00/10 score · rank #20 of 23
   VOCALS 6

   PRODUCTION 5

   CHALLENGE 7

   I like the soda opening sounds. That’s one of my favorite sounds and you made it feel very musical. I do wish the bass was louder with a more consistent level. When the guitar part fills out the bassline I dig the melody. With a minimal beat like this, you really gotta make sure the elements take up as much room as is appropriate. In this case, I’d want to hear you kick have much more beef and body to it. I love layering drums together to make each sound. One approach for building a kick stack is the get one sound with a great attack and rounds off the sub lows while keeping the beef around 350hz and up but don’t let this sample have to much of a tail, then get something with a great sounding top end tail, a good breathy “PUHHH” after the impact, and lower most of the low-end, then layer a synth sub kick like an 808 with a slight fade-in the accommodate the “attack” sample. A layer I love to add to my 808s is a send with a slow attack gate to cut off the impact, then heavy saturation on the mid and high end. This overtone powerboost really helps the ear hear the sub bass without having to turn up the sub bass volume quite as much. Our brain hears the overtones and knows exactly where to hear the low-end without having to listen for it as much. This is not Rodney’s best work, but it’s good! I feel like if you had a little more time to sit with these lyrics, the delivery would be up to par with what we know you can bring. I feel like a second pass to clean up lyrics where you might need to accommodate a breath refresh could have also helped this song achieve it’s full potential. After this team’s Round 0, I’m excited to see what they bring to the table, but I don’t think this was their round. The vocal reverb is heavy and has too much low-end, I always try to keep the bassiness and low-mid frequencies to a minimum for trailing effects on vocals. I feel like this vocal could also use some more standard EQ cleanup. The metaphor is solid, but definitely a common one. With a concept like this, I’d love to hear a take with a fresher perspective. I appreciate this perspective, but I feel like there are more particular thoughts that you in particular have about this that I wouldn’t hear from other vocalists. Give me that pure uncut Rodney!

5. Richie Branson

   6.67/10 score · rank #14 of 23
   VOCALS 7

   PRODUCTION 6

   CHALLENGE 7

   MMORPG bars ftw. Bard muticlass is always fun. Hook is straight, but could be a bit tighter rhythmically. Beat is kinda fun, sounds a bit tinny, could use more low - end to beef things up. Vocals have nice presence, but could use less reverb.