[Jesse Lewis]

Hey Nathaniel! This is so crushing man! You are so freakin’ talented. It’s really really really great. Very dynamic, emotional, sounds super polished to my ears. The string orchestration and arrangement/production is next level!

The only thing that I even remotely questioned when listening VERY critically was whether the vocal was too quiet during the sections from around 1:45-2min and 2:40-3min, the parts when there is a lot of stuff happening in the accompaniment parts. I may be totally wrong about that, and it certainly isn’t a huge adjustment, but was just something I noticed. The perceived loudness of the vocal during that section seems quieter than in the vocal at the beginning section and starting again around 3:30. Maybe thats the vibe though!

I don’t think you can really go wrong with this. Again – congrats man! Ridiculously beautiful

Jesse

[Nathaniel Earl]

Thank you so much Jesse! I’m so encouraged! I hear you on the vocal – we played around with that part, and due to the density of the arrangement there, it was hard to strike the perfect balance. Good observation, and it will definitely be something I look out for on the rest of the songs.

Thanks again man. Really appreciate you taking the time to listen and provide such great endorsement 🙂

[David Maroul]

It sounds really good, Nathaniel. From 2:51 – out is what really grabbed me & stuck in my head.

All the best!

[Nathaniel Earl]

Thank you David! I really appreciate you taking the time to listen! Nice to virtually meet you, and hope to see you more in the forums!

[Dana Nielsen]

I cannot WAIT to listen to this in the studio tomorrow!

[Dana Nielsen]

Holy Moly, @Nate this is EPIC!! Wow, man, brilliant work on both the music and the mix! (Full disclosure: I think I got a bit overexcited when the clarinet came in on the left side lol … I was like, “holy crap, a clarinet! I haven’t heard a clarinet in years!!!”). Utterly refreshing. And beautiful arranging.

The mix sounds huge and wide and envelops the listener in layer upon interesting layer of sonic treats that continue to unfold as the song progresses. 👏👏

The only thing I found myself wondering is whether the vocal was too quiet overall, especially as the music grows louder. The vocal has a lot of ambience on it as well which effectively pushes it back into the mix, part of the landscape, almost more like it’s a vocal instrument playing its part within a larger ensemble, rather than a pop-song “lead vocal.” And I use the phrase “found myself wondering…” intentionally, meaning it sounds like a wonderful artistic/mix choice to have the vocal exactly where you have it! There’s nothing “wrong” to me with the volume nor ineligibility of the vocal as it sits currently. I only “wonder” what the song would feel like if the vocal were a bit more upfront like a pop mix, as something to try (which you most likely already HAVE! haha).

One of the benefits of keeping the vocal level the way it is, is it makes me want to crank up my volume knob to hear the vocal better (which is always a good thing — a mix that inspires you turn up rather than turn down the volume); and then when your massive orchestration and low end hits for the choruses… it feels positively GINORMOUS!

So that’s it from me: “no notes”. Only a slight, passive “I wonder…” 🤔

Incredible job, man!! Thanks so much for sharing with us!!

[Nathaniel Earl]

Thanks Dana! So glad you vibed with the clarinet haha – we decided for this ensemble we wanted a flute and clarinet for wind voices, and it was my first time writing for clarinet. Absolutely loved it! Loved it so much that I actually wrote a clarinet intro for the whole record haha.

Great insight too! Definitely played around a lot with vocal level….felt impossible to decide if we preferred the more out front sound, or one sitting in the mix a bit more. Appreciate the common note from everyone and will definitely see what a little bit more vocal forward mix could sound like on the next batch!

[Dana Nielsen]

Ooh, can’t wait to hear that clarinet intro!! Again, fabulous work, brother!

[Nathaniel Earl]

Thank you sir!

[Charissa Nielsen]

The journey I went on while listening 🎧 was really fun and it made me listen 3 times! Really great writing and performances, wow! My ears and heart felt some Sting vibes (at 2:19 with drums and sounds) and then some Cirque de Soleil (violin and cascading orch elements). Most of all, thanks for making amazing music and for taking advantage of the 6/8 feel! I agree to turn up vocals but I’m not mad at it and feel like it’s perfect! 🤩 Oh, and Bayonne has the coolest tone – super chill and listenable. So good @Nate 💟

[Nathaniel Earl]

Thank you Charissa! Really appreciate you taking the time to listen and give such encouraging feedback! Love that you went on a journey – that’s my main goal! Will definitely be listening for a bit more vocal level on the next few tracks.

[Alex Gage]

Wow, WOW, wOw, woW, absolutely beautiful. Amazing work @Nate and to your fellow collaborator. The emotion in this piece is incredible. I’m going to listen to this tonight at least 3 more times! I personally like that vocal where it is cause it does make you want to just crank the track. It’s so spacious, atmospheric and very pretty. I can’t wait to get this ep cause I’m going to bump that baby till the world ends. You should be very proud of what you guys are creating.

I know I’m late to hearing this but I had to write something cause hot damnnnnnnn!

[Nathaniel Earl]

Wow thanks @Gage ! So appreciate your words! I’m humbled. Mixing the rest of the record this week!

[Alex Gage]

My pleasure man! Can’t wait to hear the finished project.

[Dana Nielsen]

Same here!! Lookin fwd to hearing the rest of this!