DJ Recharge - Never Run Away (breaks)

[Recharge]

I was just wandering why I never got any feedback on one of my better songs from last year and than I realised that I never posted it here since the vocals make it very pop/dance - y.

Its' going to be one of the few own songs I am including in my mega compilation for 2022.

Edit: weird I found it in thread with one of my prog house songs, but never came out from the search bar.

Anyways I really need some feedback on it, since this is the next song I am gonna pursue getting picked by label. Already have a few in the works, with one being almost a done deal....

https://soundcloud.com/lq5vxcb1rzbn%2Fdj-recharge-never-run-away

 

[Skylander]

I think you've asked wrong ppl for feedback. We are kinda more than happy to hear good songs of any genres, but we can hardly help with the tracks beyond trance sounds, as we are not expertised on that)

 

[Gagi]

Not a fan of the vocals and I can't really pinpoint why. Maybe it's all those whoohohoooo whoohohooos, plus I'm not really a fan of the voice or how she sang this. The track never seems to breathe because they are played all the time (and relatively louder compared to the instrumental). The instrumental is ok but I really can't judge it because of the vocals on top. The track is also too long, basically the vocals are played twice, and they are so much in the forefront that you can't really notice at first listen if the instrumental behind is also duplicated.

What I would do is:
- either shorten the track or introduce more variety
- process the vocals (they seem really dry and tiring)
- make the instrumental more interesting so that it can take over when needed and keep the track interesting
- in line with the comment above, play the vocals less
- sample the vocals to create interesting FX/pads/etc.

For the vocals themselves, I think she goes a note up or down when it is unnecessary, sometimes transitions too quick into a section, and sometimes sings like she didn't have the beat playing when she recorded this. If possible, re-record or post-process.

 

[Recharge]

Not a fan of the vocals and I can't really pinpoint why. Maybe it's all those whoohohoooo whoohohooos, plus I'm not really a fan of the voice or how she sang this. The track never seems to breathe because they are played all the time (and relatively louder compared to the instrumental). The instrumental is ok but I really can't judge it because of the vocals on top. The track is also too long, basically the vocals are played twice, and they are so much in the forefront that you can't really notice at first listen if the instrumental behind is also duplicated.

What I would do is:
- either shorten the track or introduce more variety
- process the vocals (they seem really dry and tiring)
- make the instrumental more interesting so that it can take over when needed and keep the track interesting
- in line with the comment above, play the vocals less
- sample the vocals to create interesting FX/pads/etc.

For the vocals themselves, I think she goes a note up or down when it is unnecessary, sometimes transitions too quick into a section, and sometimes sings like she didn't have the beat playing when she recorded this. If possible, re-record or post-process.

This is actually pretty good feedback, some of this I was thinking too, but sometimes I can't separate myself from something that almost seems finished or going overboard and just fixating on one song.

Edit: To be fair the vocal was the last thing on my mind, but removing from 6 bars really helped the song breath a little bit more, I also added some reverb. I was thinking the bass was super weak compared to everything else in the song so I boosted it a little, tweaking as I am writing this. Original was 126, but I played in a mix at 128 so I decided to up it to 128 too.

Exporting and uploading the new version over...

 

[Bobby Summa]

Nice sounds both synth and drums in this track with lovely atmosphere created.

I would say the main piano chords are repeated far to much tho. They’re good and quite clever notes used for the chords as they are not typical. Its just that they’re in almost 100% of the track. Just a thought… As a variation to those piano chords and to replace them at times, perhaps try the same notes/chords but use a different sound and instead of playing it as a big chord, play the notes quickly in that different sound but kinda like a fast arpeggio. Something like an subtle electric piano / vibes or mallett instrument. Add a cold reverb without too much treble and a touch of light distortion . Just a thought to keep the tune but make it less repetitive.
Also the intro / start is a little straight ( if you know what i mean) for my liking.
I like the perc sounds a lot but although the beat made with them is good, nice n simple. But you might like to vary it a bit more at times. Just to add more interest.

The vocals sound great. They sound to me like Ellie Golding very much. Nice fx used on them. Just noticed what Gagi said about their repetition. He has a good point. Im not a vocal structure person or that knowledgeable on them but yeah they do have the same words a lot / sang twice. I actually like the woohoo bits. An idea might be to change the fx on the woohoo bits at times or automate whats there. Could even add a reverse/slap back / gated reverb on them, or even a straight gate at times perhaps . Could even do that on the worded sections on the last word in that section.

Overall nice work and atmosphere created. It could just do with a bit more variation and less repetition in my opinion.

 

[Gagi]

It is improved now, however removing the vocals from half the track revealed the instrumental could do some more work.

For lack of a better word, it does sound a bit basic. It's just some drums, some chords and that's it. Nothing going on in the background. I think that could definitely be worked on, and something also the labels would recommend. Create something interesting, melodic/vocal FX, atmospheres, some little notes, riffs here and there, use effects to your advantage.., Hard to pinpoint what exactly, it's down to your creativity. The arp melody is a nice addition.

 

[Bobby Summa]

From what Gagi said if I understand correctly this is the revised version. The vocals on the original must have been repeated more on the original. I felt that on this version the words drifting away were said a lot, but it is a theme of the track. The amount its said might be fine or you might like to replace it the last time it’s repeated in the track. I swaear its Ellie. Not many people sound like her.
Sounds like you have a good release opportunity here mate. Id live you to get this released but woukd definitely vary it throughout by adding bits here and there. For it to be a release with Elli’s vocals itl need to have more interest in the sounds ( mostly the melody they make) and rhythm in parts. Definitely consider putting a Gate at the end of some of her words and wooo’s. I do actually like the woo’s but can see why some may not. A gate would add a mellow far out spice to it though, but don’t over use it.

If it is Ellie Golding, as far as i know she hasn’t had hits for a while, so really give this your attention. Keep posting updates and i and im sure others will feedback. Good luck. If the track starts doing your hesd in due to the creative process and hours worked on it, I recommend pausing work on the track and focus on another before going back to it. Over work on a track can lead to a drop of inspiration for it. One thing. Is there a deadline for it? If its coming close to it, don’t over think the changes you make. If you like the first attempt st the changed part, go with it and post here for feedback. Im not currently working so should be able to feedback fairly quickly .

Again, good luck man, go with the heart your ears are attuned too. Be honest with yourself as to whether the alteration fits, don’t just use it because you made that bit. ( one reason not to over think that bit and go with the flow or it may take too long). You could always put a half done edit if that section and post the whole song here, we could then say if it coukd work and add suggestions for fx to add etc if it needs any. You have the skills and awareness for sure to turn it into a lovely piece.

 

[Recharge]

@Gagi @Bobby Summa

I might actually go with one of my other songs. Without the vocal noticed myself why the bass was so low and chords being a bit repetitive + some other sound design issues. The loud vocal were basically hiding some surprises, I wrote it half an year ago/20 songs ago, will probably upload the original just as a cool song for now, I will still work on it, but at a later point. ATM I have to pick my battles...

The song I actually I am getting signed is 'The Future'. I even changed the Soundcloud version with a short 2 min teaser for now. I am actually afraid if I somehow manage to release a bunch of prog house and melodic house & techno which is becoming more and more likely, people might start associating me with progressive house and I will have to shift my dj/listen focus eventually to match what I am producing.

I have some similar songs recently that need very little work. To be honest I don't know how I signed it, I still get label rejections for it. Life is so confusing sometimes...

Than again if I have the chance I might just take it...

But at the end of the day my goal was always to start making trance eventually. Maybe it will take me longer...

 

[Bobby Summa]

Ah wow, amazing. The Future is the track i loved when i first joined the forum. You had put a thread up with around 5 tracks of yours. They were all decent but there was something extra about The Future. It just has this distinctive and very specific vibe. Just listened again but to the teaser. Yep. Still fkn love it! So glad its that track that’s getting released. My guess is that its so distinctive and the vibe is quite unusual ( in a very good way) that some labels just don’t feel it. Where as the one that is signing it probably saw the uniqueness in it and thought. Yeah, this is different. As a note, it took faithless ages before anyone signed them. Back in their early days most of the labels didn’t really get their vibe. Ive heard of lits of artists with that experience. I think Tubular bells by mike oldfield had this and was the first track Virgin ever signed. He did pretty well. .

About the dj and producer conflict, if I understand right, you are thinking of what an audience would think if your sets were a different style from your productions ( those that get potentially released ?
- yeah i can see why you may be concerned but I don’t know much about how dj producers oromote or bring different vibes into play ( for want of a better description). Me myself I wouldn’t like to force a style on myself ( id have thought). I expect there are some dj producers here who may have knowledge about this. How is the DJing going? Do you play at many good sized venues?