Phronemophobia's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Rock Candy | 2024]

Definitely leaning towards the "spacy" tag on this one. Relaxing, sure, but I'm stuck with the image of someone doing so out in space and all the debris floating around them is colorful like those star bits in Mario Galaxy. As usual, it has that distinct Bertn sound that I can immediately pick up on when it begins playing from my ipod shuffle at work.

Bertn1991 responds:

I do wish I had a hungry luma to spoil. Sigh, real space isn't as fun as Mario space. It takes too long to get anywhere in our boring ol' dumb ol' universe, I guess to hide the secret loading screens. You know, like when you're playing a modern video game and, uh-oh, you have to slowly inch through a tight opening into the next area. I'm on to you, game. I know what you're throwing down.

But sincerely, thank you. I'm happy to hear there's a distinct Bertn sound that people enjoy, and at work? Wowza! All the best, dear friend :D

[Metroid Fusion "Ambient Fusion Water" [ft. Ridley Snipes & Hemopheliac]]

Always ready for more deserved love towards Metroid Fusion especially when it's this level of quality. Considering some of your other works, the comparison to Parasite Eve with your use of vocals is not only appropriate but I wonder if it was also deliberate.

HoboKa responds:

It wasn't deliberate, but it was good seeing Chimpazilla and others favor that style over realistic Legato and let the less realistic approach pass...if only the J's forgive my oldschool jank more often lawl.

[Cottonwood Ridge | 2024]

Starts off sounding like a song by Radiohead except my mind now has it being played by that one NPC in the village whose dialogue had to be altered for the American release because he was a creep. He was a weirdo. What the hell was he even doin' there? He didn't belong there.

Bertn1991 responds:

We feeble-minded Americans cannot handle such dialogue. We're so heckin' special.

[The Minor Works Vol. XV | 2023]

Over eight hours? Well, I guess I now know what I'm going to have playing in the background as I try to sleep. Thank you for ambiance, Bertn, and Merry Christmas! A merry non-Christmas, as well, just in case you read this after today.

Bertn1991 responds:

I hope it's a pleasant 8 hours! Big ol' merry post-christmastime to you. And happy 2024, dear friend.

[Nimi Nama | 2023]

I can hear the frustration in this piece. The beginning sounds like a folk rock version of Stairway to Heaven only to be abruptly cut off until the end by two other major ideas taking turns being heard. How to describe it... a subtle remix of Great Fairy Mountain clashing with Tarantella or, I don't know, the background music for a mafia/Godfather type of film. The nimi nama concluding the track is definitely on point for a workn of Bertn and I would very much be upset if you were to ever remove it in a newer version.

I apologize, since I am normally not this critical of your work and this feedback admittedly sounds like something I'm typing out of my other end.

Bertn1991 responds:

Oh, no need to apologize. I totally get it. It's a bit of a disparate track and maybe doesn't quite come together in the end. Even so, I'm happy it's complete and behind me. Thanks for stopping by. The ending will never be removed, rest assured!

[Mary's Basilisk | 2023]

This is what happens when Bertn channels his Inner HoboKa for inspiration.

Bertn1991 responds:

HoboKa is wonderfully talented fella—an inspiration for sure.

[Lala Rook I | 2023]

Sounds like it belongs in a modded version of Zelda where everyone in Hyrule is a Goron and Goron Link... uh, "Gink" is a more verbally-expressive character who excitedly yells every time he rolls off a ramp and into the air to enjoy those brief moments of airborne excitement.

Bertn1991 responds:

I would play this ROM hack. I need more 𝘠𝘈𝘏𝘖𝘖s in my life~

[Don't Care Anthem II | 2023]

I kid you not, I was at work thinking about how I wished there was a longer version of Mario Paintin' - The Way Too Long Version (2020). I get home, hop on my PC, and this now exists. It ain't the same, but it's pretty darn close, and your timing couldn't have been any better.

Bertn1991 responds:

That is most amazing, dear pal. Happy to help ^.^

[[CV5 + SOTN] "Burning Underwater"]

The transition of the sources has me thinking of that moment when the hero clears away the trash blocking the entrance to some big bad's lair and taking his first steps inside. I know. I'm a dork. Creating vague scenarios in my mind is how I like interpret music when I listen to it.

Thank you again for adding to my Halloween playlist, HbK. <3

HoboKa responds:

Ha, kinda sorta does have that vibe.

[She's a Bluff]

This is quite good. A lot going on with it. One minor complaint is that the whole thing sounds a little... what's a word for it? Suppressed? Like, it's not "clear" sounding.

Hopefully, I'll see this EP in my YT subs, since I don't have a Twitter account to follow you. My apologies, Neon.

NeonLuigi responds:

Thank you! Yeah I'm still learning how to mix, it's not my strong suit. I have a bad habit of cutting off a lot of high end because it sounds too sharp, so that might be why it sounds a little dull. I appreciate the feedback, I'll try and work on making my mixes sound less dull!