Overview

Chiptune music has seen a recent resurgence in popularity as shown in the last few years. Whether it’s because of sheer nostalgia or just the creative uses of low-quality technology, there’s no doubt that chiptune has become a whole genre of its own. As a tribute to this underground genre of music, eighteen artists came together and did a collaborative album. The result was Soundshock: FM Maddness!! Said to be a funky collaboration of jazzy and idm-like styles, does Soundshock deliver or fall flat?

Body

“V.S.O.P.M.” gets things started with an excellent beat and light, almost jazz-like synth. Not limited by any of the technology, artist Shogun goes all-out with the track’s composition and the results are great. In “Cascade Masquerade” Blitz Lunar gives us a more mysterious piece with acoustic sound in addition to heavier synth. Fulor’s “Fashion Queen” sounds like a cross between 8-bit and 16-bit synth, while “Crush Roll” and “Mirror Maze” both feel as if they were ripped directly from an old-school Famicom Disk System game. “Five Nine Seven Eight” on the other hand feels extremely Mega Drive and I enjoyed the track’s mid-section that’s full blown with synth instrumentation and rhythm. “FunkOsaka” is similar in style and might as well have come from a retro beat em’ up or platformer.

“Cascades” starts off rather basic, but more synth and musical progression is added on as the piece goes through its full running time. “Ignition, Set, GO!” is one of my favorites. From the jamming melody, to the clever mixing, to the creative composition; this track is a real treat. “Oskari the Heimfanker” utilizes bold and brassy synths in addition to heavy percussion beats. There are hints of jazz about and the composition is excellent. “Ripple Boogie” is just as funky as the title suggests. The groovy synth is loud and in your face, which isn’t a bad thing. This impressive track is full of various styles and I must praise the mixing yet again. Definitely a must listen on this album. “Sky Stroll” is similar in its funky style, but the track’s addictive beat and 8-bit retro sound makes it stand out nicely.  

Not everything on this album is a winner though. For instance, “utabism – a synthesizer boy” doesn’t really go anywhere musically, feels kind of repetitive, and I didn’t like the synthesized vocals. “Stop and Go (Ubiktune edit)” is another disappointment that’s way too repetitive despite Utabi Hirokawa trying to add more synth onto the basic melody to spice things up. “Pendulum II” is no doubt an experimental piece that’s trying to give off vibes of ambience, but the results aren’t too effective. However, the two tracks “Endorphemeral” and “pf (NRTDRV funk edit)” both pay off despite also being experimental. The weird static-like synth combined with the more traditional melodic chiptune makes both of these worthwhile listening experiences. “The Enemy of My Enemy’s My Enemy / No Speed Trap” is more difficult to explain. The piece successfully avoids the pitfalls of repetition by adding dramatic tension in its musical flow. It feels like a combination of “cinematic” music with some ethnic flair. All an all, another interesting listen.

Summary

For the most part, I enjoyed this album and its homage to retro chiptune classics. With the exception of a few duds, I can say that there’s plenty of good stuff to be found here. Obviously, anyone who can’t stand chiptune should steer clear; but everyone else should find some enjoyment. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or just looking for something different, Soundshock: FM Maddness should fit your needs. It’s available as a free download, so really it’s not like you’re taking any risks by giving this one a listen. Check it out.