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True Light's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Creativity | #58 | 4.029 | 4.029 |
| Composition | #62 | 4.048 | 4.048 |
| Overall | #82 | 3.913 | 3.913 |
| Impression | #102 | 3.837 | 3.837 |
| Quality | #136 | 3.827 | 3.827 |
| Correlation to theme | #148 | 3.827 | 3.827 |
Ranked from 104 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Judge feedback
Judge feedback is anonymous.
- From the get-go, I was delighted to hear multiple independent lines in your writing-- it is a perfect example of how great production really begins with great, multi-layered writing. The samples used here are obviously limited, but *it doesn't matter* when the material in those lines is strong-- this is the secret to that older RPG sound, which 100% had to rely on great musical material to elevate the music beyond its technical limitations. If you are whistling the melody to yourself later, the music was successful irrespective of the technical sophistication of the samples or MIDI banks used. Listening to this, I think you definitely understand that. I wanted to start with that because I think the approach of constructing a tapestry of beautiful independent lines here is uniquely impressive, so I don't want the following critique to overshadow that or "scare you away" from continuing it in the future: I did sometimes feel that polyphonic sections were a bit too dense to follow on the first listen-- I think thinning these out a little bit might help with the "aural legibility" overall, especially on the first track. Given that we are working in a limited genre (games), legibility is really important, especially considering our music is often having to accompany a dense soundscape of FX and gameplay. I loved how you used pizz strings and harp to keep the textures varied and interesting throughout. The track "Real" had a tremendously haunting quality that I thought showcased your skills quite nicely. Beautiful work, keep writing!
Description
Submission of the OST Composition Jam #7
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi0-gPNpRb63mNVNhrtP-wuB5kFKCJx93
Runtime: 6:56 / Software: Reaper
[True light] is inspired by indie horror JRPGs (rpgmaker styled games) like Ib, Mad father, The witch's house.
I focused on working from the melody. You can find in all the tracks a 5-note melodic entity that starts hidden among other melodic lines and eventually, It has more presence along the whole OST. This is the way I see the "inside my world" theme in music. Although each track is a stage of different moments of the character, you will find consistency in terms of instrumentation, maintaining the same dark color palette.
A doll, a servant in a mansion, only follows the orders of a voice in her head without resisting. A call prompts her to go to the forbidden zone and it's here where we must accompany her to remember her past and recover her will...
This is her story, that of a world that existed, her world, that still lives confined within herself. With each step she will gain strength and this inner world will be the light that will guide her path and escape from an imposed destiny.
Has she always been a doll?
I decided not to be specific about the story since I don't want to influence the listener's experience.
Take this as a quickly wrapped gift (I didn't have enough time to develop the arrangement and mixing a little more)
Thanks to Lone Rabbit for this space that gives us the opportunity to share and grow with others.
Thanks to Agulachin for the inspirational cover art https://www.instagram.com/agulachinart/
Theme
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi0-gPNpRb63mNVNhrtP-wuB5kFKCJx93
Number of tracks5
Genre
Soundtrack use permission
Any project
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Comments
I love your melodic approach to this soundtrack, the motifs are easy to pick up and the instrumentation nails the strange creepy horror aesthetic you're going for, the strings at "crossroads" are my favorite, they literally came in and took over the 2nd half of the song.
Yeah anyways, when you said there was supposed to be an Easter Egg hidden in the cover art, I can't exactly see it but the art looks cool.
It's good that you enjoyed the string orchestration in Crossroads, it was quite a challenge for me.
It makes me happy that you appreciate the cover art, I am very grateful to the artist.
The easter egg is Lone Rabbit!! It's hidden in one of the paintings, do you see it?
ahh, I get it now, thanks a lot
Cool horror soundtrack with great instrumentation :)
I enjoyed a lot lights off who was the most stressing tracks of all ;)
Great leit motiv usage aswell
The mix was really dry so maybe use some reverb?
Good job^^
I think "Light off" has been the favorite of many. It's great that you liked the idea with the leitmotiv
About the mix, yes, it needs more reverb and other processes, it's something I need to improve. Thank you for your words!!
Do you have any other comments that would help me improve the music?
I like the horror game vibe to these tracks, and the diversity between them is great, while you can still tell that they are tied together. When I closed my eyes and listened, I could already feel myself inside of the game!
Ken! It's good that you felt that way, it's exactly what I was looking for, with each of the tracks telling a story.
I really appreciate your review!
Your work is very good!! Congratulations, I loved how you mixed several composition methods and styles. I really liked all of them and especially "crossroads". Congratulations again on your work!!
Thank you very much for your words Ednar, and for giving value to the composition style. I'm glad you especially enjoyed Crossroads, which is one of my favorites!
Even though it is simple, I love your use of the theme musically by having the main motif be hidden among other parts! Clever use of the theme in the music is what I like to see!
You're finally here! sooner or later you had to arrive if you wanted to rate all the participants haha
Thank you for appreciating what was an important part of my work.
Can I ask you for advice on an aspect that needs improvement?
I guess my my advice would be to maybe emphasize the melody part in the last track more? Like give it slightly more attack. it was really pretty but a tad difficult to hear over the louder string instrument.
I of course don't know if that's the vibe you were going for so IDK
Very nice! Extremely atmospheric music, that tells the story really well, and I can already imagine a full game based on this!
Great job!
:) It's really nice that you can imagine the OST as a game. Thank you for your encouraging review.
I'm not horrified at all! the instruments are cristalline and the atmosphere is mostly placid (except for Lights Off). It could work well in a Morrowind style RPG. Nice!
Many thanks!!! I take note of the type of game you suggest.
I didn't want to do all horror themes, I considered it more important to show different moments that the character went through.
Nailed the horror vibe but at the same time kind of mysterious and exploring in my head anyway as I listened. Very polished.
That was my intention. I was inspired by indie horror jrpgs, but not everything is about feeling constant tension and horror, I think you should achieve different types of vibes that accompany it. Thanks for your comment.
In a single word to capture this soundtrack: spooky, very very spooky(that may be more than a single word). This OST feels like it could belong in one of those google doodle games at some points, and in a movie at others. All in all, it was a treat to my ears as a scrumptious chocolate pastry is to my mouth. Job well done!
I thank you very much for taking the time to listen to the ost, the comparison you make is very particular, I found it funny but really valuable!
this soundtrack is SOOO SPOOKY!!! it feels like the soundtrack wants to be bouncy and fun, but haunting at the same time, and you've really achieved that. you've made very smart choices with instrumentation and really made sure to put forward the vibe of a silly little goober trekking through a spooky space. (little nightmares vibes)
this is definitely me being a jazz nerd + percussionist, but some rhythmic variation could spice up your tracks! it feels like some of your tracks follow a strict metronome, and it would be good to do some research on polyrhythms and syncopation and play around with them. it adds a lot of engagement! otherwise, your composition is done very nicely, and i like your thoughtful addition of the leitmotif you've interwoven between melody lines!
great work - you've put a lot of thought into this submission and it shows!! it was such a fun listen!
Glad the OST was fun for you to listen to. I really like reviews that also have well-developed advice on how to improve, I always feel that reviews like yours help me improve. I appreciate it and take note of your words.
Also, if you're a jazz nerd, maybe you know the 8bit music theory YT channel, which is also a jazz percussionist haha
very well done! This definitely fits a horror game. I'm still not well versed with orchestra terminology, but I think the way you used the spicatto (?) articulation really added to that spooky vibe. Very nice!
It's really nice that you think the music works well for the jrpg horror genre. Many thanks!
About the articulation, spiccato is also a technique (It's performed with the bow) but this time I went for pizzicato (without the bow, using a finger)
Oh sorry! Pizzicato was what I meant to say. How embarrassing! I used that articulation in my own track 🤣
OH MY GOSH IB MENTIONED???!!!
Love this - you really capture the sort of "really charming music but something feels off" vibe that makes the soundtracks of a lot of indie horror feel so memorable. And then when you get into really unsettling stuff like Light's Off it HITS.
Could absolutely see this as the soundtrack for a weird indie game that would become my entire personality for 2 months. I want only the best for the little bean in the thumbnail.
Fantastic!~
I have to say that your review has been one of the ones that made me smile the most. Your review has a lot of personality
I just had a lot of fun and I really appreciate each of your words.
And don't worry, the little bean will have to overcome many challenges but in the end she will find her true self♥
ps: Ib fans raise your hand...there's one here haha
This submission is charming as hell! Really incredible work, from orchestration, to composition, to instrumentation and the SWAG you were able to weave in to each track. Plus, the harp is incredible throughout.
Well done!
I think that the harp and the score using the same instrumentation for all the tracks has been a success. Thank you for commenting on that, for rating the entire OST and for your very positive review!
Little sweet bewitching OST. You've nailed that haunted house vibe with a more light-hearted style. I really like the style of your arrangement and writing. It has woven quality that is very enchanting. Also, your harp writing beautifully done.
Thank you for valuing the arrangements and writing, it is where I work every day to raise the level.
Lately, the harp is an instrument that I really like, it's nice that you mention it.
Wow, this was not what I was expecting going into other's interpretations of the theme but it fits SO well and is SO unique. The composition feels very dreamlike, whimsical at times, and sometimes mysterious which I love. Your use of all of the strings instruments really captures those feelings well and definitely puts me in the story you described.
Also I loved the vocal melodies that happen sometimes, those were beautiful!
Such a fun listen, I wish you the best of luck :)
r3n, thank you very much for your good wish, I appreciate it. I'm glad that it was a surprise for you to hear my music!
Vocal melodies and strings are currently my favorite resources!
This is really good, your composition skills are impressive and the songs have an excellent atmosphere! I love Lights off, it is a fantastic ambient piece which leans a bit more into the horror aspect of the game. My favourite song has to be Real though, I like how stripped back it is - the melody is perfect, there is just the right amount of creepiness to it while still feeling quite calming and serene.
Excellent work!
I really enjoyed reading your review, specifically your words about Real. For that track I took a lot of time considering every aspect, It was exhausting and I know I could make it better.
Many thanks!!
Great OST! Lots of comments already said what I’d say, I’ll just add that I thought it felt very cute while still mysterious, which really compliments the JRPG vibe you were going for. Favorite track would be Real, love the gentle subdued humming. I think the high end in the mix could’ve been brought down a bit, there were a few spots where it sounded a bit shrill. Aside from that, excellent job Layla!
Thank you so much for leaving me a comment. Reviews like yours are important to me, I take note of the aspect you tell me about the mix, it gives me value and allows me to improve 😄
I really really like the smaller ensemble/chamber orchestra vibe since it makes it a bit more organic and easier to hear the details of the instruments which adds character. Close Your Eyes is my absolute fave since it has that mixolydian flavour but the rest of the soundtrack it's very solid! Very good job!
I really enjoyed working on the idea of a chamber orchestra, giving special attention to the strings. As a cellist that I am, I had the opportunity to participate in several ensembles and it's something with which I feel very connected. And yes, I thought that with mixolydian I could achieve a sense of optimism, without sounding too bright. Thank you very much for your words♥
Fantastic! I like the uniqueness of your work. The instrumentation and quality are quite good, it sounds like it belongs exactly in the game you've described!
I worked really hard in order to get the vibe right for the game. It was a whole process, it took me a few days to decide.
Thank you so much!
Staging (mise-en-scène): Beautiful woodwind combo. Fits the image you made.
Crossroads: All the voices interweave so nicely!
Lights off: Getting creepy! The sudden silence really hit like turning off a switch. Eerie atmosphere.
Close your eyes: Very sweet. Love the harp use. Gives me Final Fantasy character theme vibes, particularly FF6.
Real: Chilling end to the OST.
Short and sweet OST. Great work!
Very generous of you to share something about each track.I take note of FF6, I'm definitely going to listen to it.