Aww yeah…back again with these demo reviews. I gotta say, this batch may have some of the stronger submissions all year. There are 3 or 4 quality songs. That’s rare round these parts.
Anyway, if you’re unfamiliar, this is a thing where people send me their demos and I give my pointless opinion on them. I write a synopsis than throw some arbitrary number ratings for good measure in these four categories:
Production
Vocals
Listenability
Originality

If you’re a budding musician and wanna send me a demo, I’m afraid that now is not the time. I’m not accepting submissions at the moment. But, when I am, I’ll announce it loudly on all my social networks.
Okay, let’s get into this weeks goods…

Artist:Low Top Lee
Song: Shuriken Speaking

This is really solid. The beat is strong and just when I thought it was getting annoying with the horn stabs, they threw a change in there.
The rapper is pretty good too. good voice, nice presence. I dunno if I’d wanna hear a whole album of him but that’s really just me nitpicking. Good job.
Production:6 out of 10
Vocals:6.5 out of 10
Listenability:6 out of 10
Originality:5 out of 10

Artist: WFM
Song:Funk School Part 1

This sounds like a a tv show theme from the 80’s. The only way I can see this working would be if someone was singing over it…like the dude from Depeche Mode or something. I think part of the issue is the sounds used. Cheesy synths and a lame drum kit don’t help.
I’d also like to address the song name as, let’s be honest, this is not funky. I don’t even mean that as a diss but it’s something very separate from “Funk”. Bootsy Collins would not approve.
Production:3 out of 10
Vocals:N/a
Listenability:3 out of 10
Originality:4 out of 10

Artist:Paul B and Deacon LF
Song:The Purple Light

Musically, this feels like some west coast shit. I really like this beat. It’s got that thing where there’s not one element sticks out but, as a whole, it just works really well. Though it sounds nothing like this song, another example of that kinda beat would be “Elevators” by Outkast.

As for the rappers, the first guy is okay. He’s certainly not bad. The second dude is kinda wack though. Not off beat or anything but his lyrics are corny and the flows don’t do anything for me. However, the production is so good that it makes the rapping secondary and , thus, this song is fairly enjoyable.
Production:7 out of 10
Vocals:4 out of 10
Listenability:5.5 out of 10
Originality:4 out of 10

Artist: Vernon Bridges
Song:Over the Weather Feat. Scatterbrain

Damn…I gotta say, I don’t wanna jinx it, but this week has been pretty solid thus far. Dope beat. Nice layering, good changes and the mood is really cool too. The first rapper sounds like a less retarded Lil Dap (I mean that as a compliment).

He’s got one of those lisps that works.
The second dude is pretty good too.
It reminds me of a demo I’d hear on stretch and Bob’s radio show in the mid-90’s that I would lose my shit over. Except this will seemingly age better. Really good stuff here. I’d put this in my top five all time demos I’ve received.
Production:6.5 out of 10
Vocals:6.5 out of 10
Listenability:7 out of 10
Originality:4 out of 10

Artist:Jas Music
Song: We’re on our way

If I hear a song that sounds like signing should come in but then rapping starts, that’s an issue to me. The music on this sounds like a My chemical romance break down (or what I imagine a My chemical romance breakdown sounds like. I have no clue). The rapping is…fine. Can’t hide that white voice but he can flow well enough. My issues are more that this kinda rapping is such well worn territory that, if you’re gonna do it. you need to do more to stand apart from every other rapper doing the same thing.
Production:3 out of 10
Vocals:4.5 out of 10
Listenability:4 out of 10
Originality:3.5 out of 10

Artist:Dachewol
Song:Round Trip

This is weird for me cause this uses the same sample that aesop did on “Troubled waters”.

I will say that this version freaks it much more but still, It’s hard for me to listen to it and not think of that song. Still, it’s highly likely this dude never heard that song so, what are you gonna do?
The rapping is kinda typical underground mystical kinda shit. It’s a little dated at this point and I’m over that style in general but , it’s not bad for what it is.
Production: 5 out of 10
Vocals: 4 out of 10
Listenability:4.5 out of 10
Originality: 3.5 out of 10

Artist: Proper Aristol
song:Chalk Outlines

This is kinda weird but enjoyable. I don’t like the beat really but it works somehow. It’s one of those obviously amateur demos that is full of problems but, overall, it’s not bad. I tend to think songs like that are just a sign of potential. The rapper is pretty silly but he’s engaging and not typical so I’m into that. Overall, I’d like to hear what he does down the line over some more refined production.
Production: 3.5 out of 10
Vocals:5.5 out of 10
Listenability:4.5 out of 0
Originality:5 out of 10

Artist:Zar Fruuten
Song:Protozoan Culture

This is nice and atmospheric but I don’t have the patience for this kinda stuff. I find myself waiting for the drums to drop and end up with blue balls in my ears. This would work as background music for some safari exhibit in a museum or something but it simply doesn’t take me anywhere. Not to say it’s bad cause I’m aware the artists goal was not to rock the party with this track. It’s just not really up my alley.
Production:4 out of 10
Vocals:N/a
Listenability:4 out of 10
Originality:4 out 10

Artist: Vitamin T
Song:Perdiem

Dude, did you seriously sample that Kool & the gang song that’s been sampled probably 50 times already? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqZGPIWq1Oc I mean…jesus christ man. Even if it is a reworking of it, let’s put that one in the “Off limits” pile for the rest of eternity.
Beyond all that, as a song , this is pretty empty. A few changes here and there but, overall, it’s just two or three parts of a song that was run into the round 20 years ago by Will smith.
Production:2.5 out of 10
Vocals:n/a
Listenability:4 out of 10
Originality:1 out of 10

Artist: Rodrigo Sena
Song: Pocket Summer

This is one of those “It’s not for me but it’s okay for what it is” kinda demos. It’s a little 80’s sounding and very european sounding. The Janet jackson bassline isn’t doing anyone any favors either. The change in the middle is cool though and it’s not bad. Just not for me
Production:4.5 out of 10
Vocals:N/a
Listenability:4 out of 10
Originality:4.5 out of 10

What do you think?