1. Pilgrim
   DDRKirby(ISQ)
2. The Sand in the Hourglass
   nukage
3. A Long Way to the Oasis
   turbo852

deserty themes. good job

1. The Sand in the Hourglass
   nukage
2. Pilgrim
   DDRKirby(ISQ)
3. Desert 2
   starla

I joined in for this one, so straight to the voting!

TheVideoGamer - There is very little to talk about with this track, as i had finished early due to me trying for a more simple track. There's basically 3 instrument layers, with the first being a bongo loop that is processed with mild reverb, a lot of chopping to turn a 1 bar loop into a 16 bar groove, and a glitch VST to add even more craziness to the sound. The 2nd layer is a pad and string combo to add atmosphere and melodic ideas to the party, and lastly there is other melody elements, such as a turkish flute to keep the middle eastern aspect, and add a clear straight to the point melody, and bell sounds for more atmosphere. There is basically no changes throughout, with the track simply weaving pad sounds in and out. I like it a lot, even for it's simplicity, it's cool. Oh well glad you liked it anyways!

DarkShadow - DarkShadow returns with the Time Signature goodness. This one is quite fizzy, almost like it's fed through a faulty telephone, it sounds quite interesting, even if it makes the whole thing very lo-fi. Some parts were a little too loud for me, but others were fine, probably the effects used. It's quite chaotic, but it sounds very cool. It's a lot of fun not gonna lie, good job!

DDRKirby(ISQ) - The first of many middle east sounding tracks, but this one is done with a funky beat in mind. The vocal samples are so good, it adds ambience, but it doesn't get in the way. I'm just so impressed that for 4 minutes, there is so much music here. It isn't a case of looping things and changing small things, no there is big changes that happen throughout. The beats are the classic DDR sound, but combined with the ethnic drums, it makes for an extremely spacious listen. I do feel like i'm in the desert, but more in a video game than in a movie. It's just wonderful stuff, the sounds in this are amazing. So amazing i placed it on the 2nd spot, incredible work!

Meistr - Oh god sandstorm lol. I don't know if i'm more impressed that everything was played live, or the fact you managed to do this with a straight face. I mean Sandstorm is a simple track, it's mainly 4 chords and a whirring synth, but it's all played on a violin/viola, and even a kazoo, and it's kind of difficult because of how uptempo it is. It's just too funny and well produced, for me to not give you this, even if there's probably more theme relevant compositions here. Well done!

turbo852 - The 2nd of the middle eastern inspired tracks, with a really nice bongo like loop, and some very dark strings, that are played in such a low register it really feels ominous. The choir is a nice touch, although i can't help but feel the overall mood here is more impending doom, than were in the open desert. Either way i love the atmosphere, and the melody is really nice, i don't know the exact instrument, but it reminds me of a harp. Yeah this is very cool, i feel like giving you this one, it's great. Well done!

A2Z - Sick chords, this one is also airy, with some cool delay elements in the arps. I feel like i'm in a doccumentary all about the desert. The melody is very nice, especially with that passing note, that makes it weirdly bluesy in a way. Some notes were chosen to be spicy, but yet i feel it actually works here quite well. The dynamics are great too, it slowly builds up as we listen, to a sort of climax towards the end, even if we don't notice any big changes. The chants are lovely too, adds even more to the themeatic approach. This one was lovely, i can't say anything else, definately voting worthy, awesome work!

Starla - That is one tasty lo-fi beat, part techno, part IDM in a way. Smooth relaxing chords, definately got a feel of the sun shining. Amazing vocals, the harmonies are on point, even if there isn't any lyrics in this. I also love the Michael Jackson impersonation haha, the ending was amusing. I couldn't really find anything else to say, because there wasn't anything else noticable, the track is just great. So great i placed it third, amazing work!

Nextgennick - Sick bassline, proper electro goodness. I like the textural pads too, and the faint asian instruments too. The beat is also very fire too, but my god it's quite compressed. The whole thing feels brickwalled to the point where it's shoving into my face. The beat is very good from a compositional standpoint though. This definately has potential, especially since we have a nice idea, but we mostly stick to that same idea over and over until the end. Still though, it's a lot of fun, i really enjoyed it. Good job!

Nukage - Quite the intro, i feel unsettled, like i don't know where i'm going. The string work here is wow, this is a very cinematic intro. Super hard hitting, borderline distorted, like were on some Trent Reznor shit. The buildup is fire, but that's not even the most insane part of the track. The drop made my jaw drop. I've heard you make some killer bangers before, but this was on another level, the mix was fantastic, and the bassline was just dirty as hell wow. This is just excellent stuff man, i have no words, really i don't. No hesitation it's going on the top spot. Excellent work!

Dex - More bluesy stuff. This is a catchy melody, and great strummed guitar chords. The track really adds that funky factor, even if not in that style. The piano in this one, is extemely pedal heavy, it's actually too much for me. It dilutes the rest of the instruments. The rest is great though, the bassline is fire, as is the drums, and the melody is just top notch. If the piano wasn't so pedal heavy, hell i could even vote for this, but sadly it takes me out of the experience sorry. Good job!

InvisibleObserver - Now these are some textural chords if i've ever seen them. It's quite the dynamic tune, lots of swells and growls, but not in a EDM way, more in an ambient way. The chords are quite relaxing, but also weirdly unusual, it's hard to tell what direction it's going, and that's why i love it. There wasn't much to talk about in this piece, because it takes a simple idea and runs with it very well, i thought this one was great. Well done!

Arcana - I love the sounds here, the chords are great too. The mix on this one is just perfect, this might be the best mix you've done in a while. The kick is punchy but not too loud, and the bassline adds some nice electro-ish elements to the techno/trance. The vocals don't make a statement here, because they come more towards the end, however they are sung very well, and the melodies are clear. Yeah this is probably one of your finest ones, i really dig it. It was just great stuff, well done!

Top 3 - Nukage, DDRKirby(ISQ), Starla.

A2Z also deserves to be on the list.

Awesome - DDRKirby(ISQ), Meistr, Turbo852, A2Z, Starla, Nukage, InvisibleObserver, Arcana.

Needs Work - DarkShadow, Nexgennick, Dex.

1. Pilgrim
   DDRKirby(ISQ)
2. warm winds
   nextGenNick
3. The Sand in the Hourglass
   nukage

A lot of great tracks!

TVG - I like the atmospheric start. Bongos are great! The flute melodies are really nice!

DarkShadow - I like how the sound evolves in the intro. A lot of interesting sounds throughout.

DDRKirby - Great atmospheric setting! I love tabla drums! Great beats!

Meistr - This was such a great idea! I always love Sandstorm.

A2Z - Nice and atmospheric feel with some dark turns that make it more interesting.

Starla - I like the beat. Your vocals are really great! Hilarious to include the "stop recording!" at the end.

nextGenNick - I like the sound choices! A lot of nice layers.

nukage - I like the low rumbles! Very cinematic feel! I like how it transitions into an electronic sound so smoothly!

Dex - I like the scale here! 

InvisibleObserver - Nice ambient sounds!

Arcana - I like the beat! I like how it changes up as well.