Archive for the ‘Album Reviews’ Category

Rhyphte Reviews: We Were Once Called Spring

Posted by rhyphte

It’s finally summer, and I’m finished with college and coming out of hiatus. The last few months have been crunch, and I’ve had much less time to produce or review, but I’ve still been able to hear so many of the great new titles that have been dropping this year. Among them is yet another excellent indie-chip hybrid, a subgenre of a subgenre I’m starting to notice I have a weakness for.

‘We Were Once Called Spring‘ is Azuria Sky’s experimental and significant expansion into the constantly blending realm of folk and indie. It’s an eclectic assortment of LSDJ riffs, folksy chord progressions, and poignant, sentimental lyrics backed by acoustic guitar.

Album art for ‘We Were Once Called Spring’
(more…)

Chip Bit Sid Takes On: ‘Glooms’ by Vanilla Dome

Posted by RicH

I have had my hands full with Chip Bit Day, so instead of reviewing something new I decided to look back to an album that was released last year on ‘Datafruits’. ‘Vanilla Dome’ by ‘Glooms’ was a truly fantastic album. Created using a copy of Nanoloop 2 synced up to a Korg Electribe Drum Machine, Vanilla featured a vast amount skill with sound engineering and programming.

(more…)

Aydan Appreciates: ‘The Best of DDRKirby(ISQ) – Volume 2’

Posted by Aydan Scott

DDRKirby(ISQ) has composed an absolutely obscene amount of quality tunes over the past decade and a half, and is a long-standing member of both the OCRemix and chipmusic communities. Predominantly composing music for a series of themed game competitions called the ‘Ludum Dare’ series, DDRKirby(ISQ) and friends have created dozens of these small, entertaining, browser-based games. With this competition being held once every six months, a colossal amount of material has been composed; DDRKirby(ISQ) has graciously compiled what they consider to be their best hits over the past few years. From video game remixes to original compositions, the album is simply packed full of memorable music!

(more…)

Glenntai Got: ‘Selfie USA’ by RobKTA

Posted by Glenntai

Many people have different inspirations and perspectives on chipmusic, and the emergence of chip elements in modern production was an inevitable expectation in its rise of popularity. We’ve seen and heard many acts expand and continue making music both in and out of the chip community, and today we’re coming across what I’ve always felt was a gem humbly hanging out. Enter RobKTA with ‘Selfie USA’; released with Hyperwave Records. This album is an album that brings you through a wild laser montage as if you’re walking on and around Dotonbori bridge. If you’re not familiar with RobKTA’s delightfully funky aesthetic, get ready for the middle of your week to get that much livelier.

Cover art by Shirobon
(more…)

Advice from the Volume 8 Judging Panel

Posted by President Hoodie

Heya friends! With only a little more than 2 months remaining until the Volume 8 submission deadline (#July 6th #PutItOnYourCalendars), it’s time for our annual advice column from this year’s judging panel!

Whether you’re just getting started on your track or already making final tweaks to your entry (you lovely early birdy, you), chances are you’ll benefit from the collective advice presented below. Happy reading & composing!

(more…)