DEADSPECTRES

JUDGES' BREAKDOWN

1. Mark Cooper

   5.33/10 score · rank #21 of 21
   VOCALS 5

   PRODUCTION 5

   CHALLENGE 6

   Thank you for submitting. With this track it unfortionately doen't meet the challenge due to it not having a "club" feel in the production or the song in general. I did understand your reference in lyrics so I added an extra point. The vocals were a little low in the verses but in the hook it was very distorted and hard to hear. Good submission.

2. Klopfenpop

   7.67/10 score · rank #16 of 21
   VOCALS 9

   PRODUCTION 6

   CHALLENGE 8

   I love concept of the club being the grocery store club card. This is a concept that's been waiting to be written. Well executed. I'm not sure how crowd-oriented this beat feels. The kick feels like it doesn't have any weight behind it, so it never quite feels like the beat finally drops in. If a drum ever doesn't quite have everything you need, you can always add a second sample as another layer! I like to use a sample for the top end of the kick, and a synth kick for the low end beef. I would love to hear the vocal mix get more love. The layered vocals could be blended better, both being so loud comes off a bit awkward. The vocals are also a bit boxy. I would recommend subtractive EQ to reduce some of the problem mid range frequencies rather than trying to boost "missing" frequencies. That can easily lead to an unnatural sound. I find an EQ also sound a little more natural if I use alternating band to bring the reduction back up to zero between reduced frequencies. Kind of a back and forth squiggle look, topping out at zero. It keeps the adjustments from getting to drastic and sounding unrealistic when you are making noticeable changes.

3. Richie Branson

   7.67/10 score · rank #17 of 21
   VOCALS 8

   PRODUCTION 7

   CHALLENGE 8

   Love the concept here. Very cleverly written to that end. Love the flow on this too, it’s got a swing to it during the verses that I enjoy. Parts of hook could be executed a bit cleaner, but the hook is catchy nonetheless. The beat is catchy, particularly the melody. Feel like the production needs a stronger kick to drive the rhythm home. Vocals could use another mix pass. The speed up is good, wish it would have switched to a faster cadence at the end of the tempo shift.

4. Ben Tarkus

   7.67/10 score · rank #15 of 21
   VOCALS 8

   PRODUCTION 8

   CHALLENGE 7

   Would love to have seen the lyrics for this or at least known definitively what the chorus was for the challenge element. I think the overall the challenge was met but would have liked to see it fleshed out more The song itself I thought was pretty strong. Digging the bass heavy beat and the vocals here match the vibe and flow butter smooth throughout.

5. LEX the Lexicon Artist

   8.00/10 score · rank #16 of 21
   VOCALS 7

   PRODUCTION 8

   CHALLENGE 9

   I can hear the track this can be if it's given a bit more time and polish. As it stands it's a bit rough, but the structure, the beat, the style, the flow, all good stuff. I like the concept, wish I had lyrics to read. The beat definitely fits the definition o fa 2000s hip hop club banger. The main riff is a pretty standard one in hip-hop (6-5-1) which is great for this. Specifically the sound used is a bit like the distorted Rhodes piano sound used by One Day As A Lion, which I dig. I feel like you could have committed a bit more to the aggressive boom bap vibe versus sitting somewhere in between synthpop and hip hop. One feedback I have is that the chorus is REALLY strong and I would go nuts for it live. But if you are going to do a melodic singing chorus, make sure the singing is on key (using pitch correct if necessary/for effect), otherwise it is just not very listenable.