Starts with some cybernetic SFX and it goes straight into action with a galloping bass and supporting drums... and right away we have an issue! I have no idea how this happened, but the kick is slightly misaligned with the bass and what, I suppose, are meant to be 2 consecutive 8ths on the kick instead sound completely off the grid, which doesn't sound good at all. At 0:08 we're joined by 2 synths, one doing the melody from the intro (C, B, A, B I believe) and another one doing a C major arpeggio. However, the second one starts changing and there's a ton of dissonance between both parts. Anyway, at 0:18 we move to the main melody, played by one of the previous synths. Issues with the kick persist here. Soundscape is fairly vanilla and basic, I believe there's a pad in the left ear but it's very quiet. The most interesting thing here is that the lead playing has some fun ornaments here and there. At 0:55 we stay with just drums and bass for a bit and are soon joined by a pad and a new synth lead. Soundscape here feels much better, since the pad and synth lead are more interesting sounding than what came before. There's a drum fill at 1:35 with another mistimed hit, now on snare. At 1:42 we return to the main melody, I like that the pad is more audible here and there's some nice arpeggios in the background as well. 1:56 changes the synth lead and, once again, there's some fun flourishes. 2:10 takes us back to the 0:18 section and the track ends without much build-up.

On arrangement, this is generally a fairly simple piece. The usage of source material is mostly straightforward but you give it some identity with the synth lead playing. That said, I wouldn't object more elaborate variations, even on the current arrangement structure you could have some interesting key or beat changes during the track, as right now it's mostly the same feel for the entire duration. I'd also like some more attention to the background, several sections are just bass doing octaves, kick on 1-3, snare on 2-4 and a simple pad behind. There's a couple of parts where you added more and it definitely makes the sound more interesting.

On production, the mix is relatively clear, although I feel the bass should be processed a bit to carve more space for the leads, since they are hearable but could be more present IMO. My main issue with the production is that many samples are very vanilla, the synth lead at 0:18, the synth bass, even the percussion, none of them sounds particularly exciting. I did like the pad and lead from the 0:55 section much more though. I'll highlight this as part of the production but the mistimings on the drums REALLY hurt the piece, to my ears those alone are rejection-worthy.

Overall, I think this needs some work still to become front page material. To me it sounds like a blueprint still, the arrangement needs more attention to detail (especially on the backings) and, to me, more variations. Production needs more spice in the samples and some slight polish on the production. My favorite part was the lead playing, some fun flourishes and ornaments that made the original melodies more interesting to listen to.

NO

Edited April 30 by jnWake