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Fleeting Days's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Storytelling | #70 | 3.760 | 3.760 |
| Impression | #86 | 3.640 | 3.640 |
| Overall | #113 | 3.536 | 3.536 |
| Composition | #120 | 3.560 | 3.560 |
| Quality | #145 | 3.440 | 3.440 |
| Creativity | #153 | 3.280 | 3.280 |
Ranked from 25 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
A soundtrack written for Lone Rabbit's Composing Jam #8 based on the theme "One Summer Night". All tracks were made using FL Studio.
Fleeting Days is a narrative-driven game inspired by works such as Until Then and To The Moon. It tells the story of a girl spending her final day in her hometown before leaving for college. With only a single day to revisit the places dear to her heart, players will experience a bittersweet story shaped through memories, nostalgia, and ultimately, acceptance. The game's soundtrack was written primarily using the SGM soundfont. If you're at all interested to hear about my thoughts when making these tracks, please check out the 'Message from the artist' section on the submission page or the 'Behind the Music' section of the project page.
Cover art done by @chuwudy
Message from the artist
Hey everyone! Thanks for taking the time to listen to this soundtrack. I had an absolute blast with Composing Jam #7 last year and I'm glad that I was able to actually submit something this time around as well.
The game idea this year was a story-based game centered around a girl simply experiencing her last day in her hometown before moving away. So this time, I focused more on writing tracks for 'locations' instead of specific scenarios (like a battle theme). More specifically, these tracks are supposed to represent four key locations (Carnival, Park, Aquarium, Harborfront). The following will be some brief thoughts about each track:
The Main Menu theme is the simplest and shortest track in the soundtrack. I wanted this one to be more laid back, with the purpose of simply introducing the listener to the game's main motif. This motif comes back later in the game's last track.
The second track, Carnival by the Pier, was my interpretation of what it'd sound like to walk through a fun little Carnival by the beachside pier. I tried to keep the melody upbeat and choose instruments I thought would match (steel drums & accordion for instance). Overall, I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out.
The third track is meant to play while our protagonist is visiting her childhood park. As such, I tried to make the track sound as playful and nostalgic as possible. I think instruments such as the marimba and woodblocks help a lot with that. I wish I could've made this track a bit longer, but I was a little pressed for time so I settled for just a simple A and B section.
Out of all the tracks, I definitely struggled the most with the aquarium theme. I have a hard time writing slower and more atmospheric sounding tracks so this track had a ton of iterations before I finally settled on this. I still have a ways to go in terms of writing slower music, but I'm glad I actually have a track to show (if you have any tips for writing atmospheric music plz let me know).
The last track, Last Summer Night, happens at the game's climax by the harborfront. My idea was to have this track be a fully realized version of the main menu track. I tried to make the melody feel melancholic, before transitioning to a more hopeful sound later on. I think the mixing and buildup could've been done a lot better, but I'm still happy with this piece regardless.
I tried to experiment a lot more this year and go outside my comfort zone. This jam's theme immediately threw me for a loop when it was first revealed. I originally wanted to try writing for an RPG style game, but I couldn't think of an idea that fit well with the theme/image so I landed on a narrative-driven game instead. This was also my first time properly writing music outside of primarily chiptune sounds. My last submission for Composing Jam #7, Pond Tales, was purely Chiptune so I wanted to try venturing outside of that. I'm sure there are some ideas in the soundtrack that don't quite land, but I'm overall really happy that I was finally able to make something outside of my usual style. If you have any tips or suggestions on how I can improve, please feel free to let me know. Thank you again for taking the time to listen and I'm really looking forward to listening to all the great tracks everyone has produced as well!
Theme
How does it fit the theme?
I tried to make a narrative-driven game that takes place in a single day. The game takes place along a small beachside town, as inspired by the provided picture. The game is mostly storytelling with minigame elements
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://on.soundcloud.com/Wox1Jt6cShdIU9LtSO
Number of tracks5
Genre
Soundtrack use permission
For game jams only
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Comments
I like this, it's pretty! The whimsy of the earlier tracks really shines and the final track is a satisfying emotional progression.
loving the piano solo in your introduction track! beautiful composition, and that melody is so well executed!! the motif is very recognizable already and i cant wait to hear it referenced in the later tracks :]
ooo carnival by the pier is super groovy! loving the bossa nova progression in the piano-like instrument in conjunction with a lot of other instruments i associate with the beach - the guitar, congas, idiophones, etc... very thoughtful composition, nice and playful!
yet another playful theme!! definitely has the feel of a park with melodic similarities to the previous track, while presenting a completely different nostalgic vibe. nicely done!
aww this is a sweet track! the reverb definitely gives this an aquarium vibe. this track also feels very reflective. in the best way possible i could fall asleep to this its such a vibe yum
loving the chord progression in your final track! immediately recognized the motif for a second time! i like the more rhythmic and jazzy take on the motif! definitely feels like the conclusion of a journey, but simultaneously, the beginning of another! the percussion provides a lot of good drive to this piece, and i really like the bass line.
overall this was a really sweet listen and i loved following along with your storyline!!!! thanks for sharing :DDDD
Awesome job in venturing outside of your usual style and comfort zone, you did great! There's a very light and whimsical vibe for the first half of the album that transitions well into the slight shift in tone in "Wonder by the Aquarium" and finishes strongly with the emotion and energy in "Last Summer Night."
Looking through some of the feedback you've already gotten - I would add that the drums feel a bit heavy on the low-end on the reverb side in "Last Summer Night." A simple trick for EQing for beginners is to just cut out all of your low-end reverb (just the reverb and not the whole instrument) at ~200hz and below. It's not perfect, because there is no such thing as a one size fits all technique for mixing, but it might help you out for the time being. Regardless, this is ultimately a pretty minor issue that doesn't detract too much from your OST.
I don't think I have much to offer for tips on making ambience because I'm awful at it lmao (but I tried my hand at some sort-of horror ambience of my own on one track in this jam and I think it turned out kinda cool?) Either way, I'd say "Wonder by the Aquarium" is definitely pushing it on being classified as ambient, but it still gets the intended feeling across very well and I wouldn't let that "is it or isn't it" classification hold any weight or bearing on the quality of the track - it's good! If you wanted to actually make it ambience, you'd probably have to reduce the emphasis on your melody quite a bit, which I think would change the track for the worse.
Overall, this is a great submission! Again, nice job in stepping out of your comfort zone and keep up the good work!
Great work! I really liked the sounds you selected from the soundfont. They fit beautifully and help each music feel distinct while still being part of a coherent whole. The music feels tender and warm, which fits your story so nicely. I also think it’s awesome that you decided to step out of your comfort zone and tried something different this time. Congratulations on a lovely result!
really nice little soundtrack! each track represents each area really well
I actually listened to the soundtrack on my way home from work and then again like 3 or 4 more times in full. I Really liked your music. Like a lot.
Ok Ok Ok id like to give some constructive feedback on the writing after listening so many times, but first:
Carnival by the Pier > Wonder by the Aquarium > Nostalgia by the Park > Last Summer Night > Main Menu
Thats my personal list to how much I enjoyed these (I still very much enjoyed the last two so no roasting with this I promise) This whole set was great and you had some really fun ideas in here!
Feedback time: (As a disclaimer, feel free to throw out any of this. Ive been a musician for many years in rock and jazz bands, but that skill doesnt translate 100% to WRITING or PRODUCING music, especially in your style. So if you dont agree with anything here, you wont hurt my feelings)
Main Menu: I like what you decided to do here! Its really nice and smooth. Personally, I think the tempo is a bit quick and even though there isnt a ton going on, the higher notes played out by the 2nd lead instrument (not the piano the more flute sounding synth) got a little difficult to listen to. I think you picked the right type of instrument but when all the notes from lead instruments are so high on the register, it can become a little fatiguing to listen to. (Great use of syncopation and I absolutely smile every time throughout the track you add the tiny little Vibrato to the end of a note on a specific instrument)
Carnival by the Pier: Great use of percussion and the backing guitar is a lot of fun! Id say the main guitar should duck down in volume OR complexity a little bit to make room for the Rhodsy piano that comes in half way. They are both in the same space of doing really interesting stuff and I want to hear them 'giving one another' the microphone. (The marimba and guitar conversation that happens half way through the song is incredible and i love the little percussive elements throughout. The little accordion in the back of the room is awesome)
Nostalgia by the park: This one is a lot of fun! One thing I would say is maybe try using different auxiliary instruments on the section about 0:35 in. What I mean is that instead of pitching up the wood block hit, maybe try using physically different instruments, like Wood Block > Cowbell > Claves > Repeat. There are all kinds of percussive auxiliary that you can mix and match into these areas, (This song is actually extremely fun and sounds like it should be on a pokemon game.)
Wonder by the Aquarium: (First, let me say for your first attempt at something Ambiant and slow like this, you did a wonderful job) I think this track could have really benefited from some sound scaping around the theme. I could picture this song with the sound of bubbles floating up or a small fountain doing some real good for ear candy and white noise. (Your choice of instrument and handing off the melody between two instruments was really good. You do really well with these more call-response type sections)
Last Summer Night: This song starts lower on the register (wow you already took my advice) This was a nice conclusion for sure! I think the specific drums you chose werent bad at all, but they did feel a bit out of place with the rest of the instruments. Like almost a little too real? The buildup and small addition of sounds before the 2:09 section were really cool and I was hoping that they would be a bit more prominent and not so far hidden. You can feel the build up happening here and the extra instruments being added is a lot of fun but some of them go unnoticed when I think they could be adding a lot more here. (WOW great job with the theme and your melodic ideas.)
Congratulations on creating this work! All of the things I mentioned above are entirely small and up to preference. I think your tracks stand as is just fine and you should be proud of how far youve come as a composer! I dont think Chiptune would have done your vision here any justice so im glad you tried something new.
Wow, thanks for taking the time to leave such insightful feedback! Working outside of chiptune was definitely a struggle, but I'm glad I was able to take that step with this jam. I think your points are all valid and echo a lot of my own thoughts now that I've had a chance to reflect a bit on my soundtrack. I think I focused too much on trying to write my melodies and chord progressions, so my mixing was definitely on the back burner. Definitely something to work on for future tracks.
I really appreciate you leaving such a detailed breakdown of your thoughts on my soundtrack. I'm honored you enjoyed listening and your feedback has given me a lot to consider. Thanks again!
Ofc! If you need anything feel free to reach out!
WOW this is really really great!! I listened with my partner and kept joking that you stole my ideas but did them better haha. For real, I really wish I could get my music sounding this great. I'm very very impressed, you've done an excellent job! Straight up inspirational, thank you for writing these songs!!
Main Menu: Pretty piano right from the start. The woodwind joining in gave me instant JRPG vibes particularly with that sample. Very pretty.
Carnival by the Pier: Nice percussion, nice progression. Steel drum always helps for a summer theme.
Nostalgia by the Park: Nice and cute track. Love the instrumentation.
Wonder by the Aquarium: This is very nice. Like those extra lines around 1:06 and 1:12 etc.
Last Summer Night: Very pretty. I wasn't expecting the drums and I love them! Love this as a final track. Probably my favorite one here.
Nice work!
Nice soundtrack! Wonder by the Aquarium was my favorite :)
what a great vibe! the first two tracks are some of my favourites - i was definitely jamming to track two! last summer night is a great conclusion and fitting companion to the peak of your narrative - i love how this track builds and builds before cutting to the solo piano, taking us back home... really lovely work!
I will not be giving you tips on writing atmospheric tracks because I ain't about that. I'm all about the high energy songs!
I thought your instrument choices to represent each area were spot on. You captured the idea of nostalgia very well by having the songs all sound pleasant but also a little melancholy.
While I think some of the instrumentation, in general, could be improved, to me Main Menu is one of the highlights of the jam.
I LOVE THIS KIND OF CHORDS !! i love how the melody in the main menu gets resolved in last summer night. well done
I love carnival so much, i was literally dancing along🤩🙏
Lots of personality! Carnival and Nostalgia nail the cutesy vibe, and love how reflective wonder and Last Summer Night are. I'm thinking I agree on a stronger progression or instrument to strengthen it. But this manages to be really effective at making each note count which can be really hard to do, the call and response definitely stood out to me as a big strength. Awesome job!
Really lovely vibe, perfectly fiting to the theme ! Maybe the use of stronger melodies could give your tracks a stronger sense of progression and identity, but that's nitpicking : great vibe, corresponding to the theme and well executed !