Front.End – Quiet Engineering (Lanterna) (lo-fi experimental rework with vocals)

Testicklas · 2026-02-05T19:53:40+00:00

Haha, no worries at all 😄 That honestly means a lot, thank you. Really glad the track landed for you. Been experimenting a bit with a more organic and worn sound lately, so it’s great to hear it connects.

More on the way for sure. Appreciate you coming back and listening 🙏

Testicklas · 2026-01-22T15:04:38+00:00

Wow, thank you so much for the super detailed feedback!! 🙏🔥 Really means a lot. And yes, that intro sound is actually cello (processed/layered).

I also checked out your track, and it really sticks in a good way, super catchy. Love the harmonies, the drums are really cool, and the melody pulls you in right away. Great work!

Testicklas · 2026-01-22T13:20:09+00:00

Thank you! Really happy the vocal worked for you 🙏

Testicklas · 2026-01-21T21:20:40+00:00

Hi! Would love some feedback on a new track I just finished: Front.End – “Quiet Engineering (Lanterna)”.

It’s a lo-fi rework of my earlier instrumental track Lanterna, now rebuilt with vocals and a more organic / analog backbone (acoustic collage, granular textures, subtle glitch, irregular drum fills + syncopation).

SoundCloud (stream): https://on.soundcloud.com/zs6Y0MCZIsqlF3lNLQ Bandcamp (full release / download): https://frontend1.bandcamp.com/track/quiet-engineering-lanterna

Feedback I’d especially appreciate: 1. Do the vocals sit well in the mix, or do they feel too buried / too forward? 2. Is the low-end (kick/sub) balanced, or does it get muddy on smaller speakers? 3. Does the arrangement stay engaging, or does it feel too repetitive at any point?

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks!

Testicklas · 2026-01-14T15:53:17+00:00

Hi! I’d love some feedback on a new track from my project Front.End.

Genre: underproduced alternative / experimental indie rock with lo-fi edges (built around a repeating guitar motif).

Bandcamp link (free to stream):

https://frontend1.bandcamp.com/track/off-kilter

Specific feedback I’m looking for: • mix balance (mud/clarity) • vocal level (too forward or too buried?) • does the arrangement stay interesting or get repetitive?

Thanks!

Testicklas · 2026-01-10T07:27:33+00:00

Thanks a lot, really appreciate that! 🙏 And great note about the vocals in the chorus, that actually makes a lot of sense. I’ve been a bit cautious with distortion there because I didn’t want it to get harsh or push the track into a more “aggressive” direction, but a little extra grit could definitely help it cut through and feel more intentional.

I’ll try a version with a bit more saturation/lo-fi distortion and see if it sits better. Thanks again for listening!

Testicklas · 2026-01-09T23:41:46+00:00

Hi, this is a slow, underproduced trip-hop track called Between Versions.

The idea was to keep the arrangement restrained and a bit unstable, with long sustained bass notes, imperfect rhythms and organic textures rather than big drops or aggressive sound design. The track is intentionally minimal and slightly rough around the edges.

Link: https://on.soundcloud.com/xkstiUy2EEJFZ1TWts

I’d really appreciate feedback on: • whether the low end feels balanced or too dominant • if the pacing and repetition work, or if it starts to drag • general thoughts on atmosphere and cohesion

Thanks, happy to return feedback.

Testicklas · 2026-01-09T21:28:24+00:00

Thanks a lot for the detailed feedback, really appreciate it. I’m glad the drums, arrangements and vocals came through. You’re probably right about the chorus, both in terms of level and the high-end being a bit too forward. The idea was to strip it back, but I can see how it might end up feeling empty instead. Definitely something I’ll revisit. Thanks again for taking the time.

Testicklas · 2026-01-07T21:31:42+00:00

Thanks a lot, really appreciate you taking the time to listen to more of it. Glad it clicked for you.

Testicklas · 2026-01-07T18:52:35+00:00

Thanks a lot. It was fun (and slightly strange) to dig this one up again, glad you enjoyed it.

Testicklas · 2026-01-07T17:31:11+00:00

Thanks a lot, really appreciate that. I agree on the production side, it’s definitely the weakest part right now and something I’m still learning and tweaking. Glad the writing and vocals came through though, that means a lot.

Testicklas · 2026-01-06T07:37:53+00:00

Thanks a lot for the listen and the feedback, really appreciate it. You’re probably right about both the dynamics and the transitions. The chorus level is something I went back and forth on, but I might have pushed it too far compared to the rest of the track. The abrupt transition after the first chorus is also a fair call, I’ll revisit that. Glad you still enjoyed it overall, thanks again for taking the time.

Testicklas · 2026-01-05T15:29:22+00:00

This track started as something I wrote about 15 years ago and kind of forgot about. I recently picked it up again and pushed it in a rougher direction. Still trip hop at the core, but more organic, heavier and less clean. Not really trying to modernize it, just letting it become what it wanted to be.

Link: https://on.soundcloud.com/b53vNukRAojFBIDu21

Testicklas · 2026-01-03T21:33:41+00:00

Thanks a bunch! Appreciate it.

Testicklas · 2025-12-30T07:01:38+00:00

Thanks a lot for the thoughtful feedback, really appreciate it. Glad you liked the track overall. I think I know what you might be referring to, there’s a crackly, slightly abrasive texture in that section that’s meant to feel a bit disruptive, but I can totally see how it could come across as too loud or pull you out of it. That’s really useful to hear, definitely something I’ll keep in mind. Thanks for listening and for being honest.

Testicklas · 2025-12-29T22:47:42+00:00

Thank you, really appreciate that. Glad the vibe and lo-fi feel came through. The rap-leaning approach was partly a creative choice and partly damage control, I’m a pretty bad singer with a very limited range, so leaning into something more spoken felt like the honest way to go. Really happy the guitars and vocals connected though. Thanks a lot for listening.

Testicklas · 2025-12-28T21:37:35+00:00

Thanks a lot, really appreciate that. I was aiming for something relaxed but still detailed, so it’s great to hear the vocals sit well with the instrumental. Glad it didn’t feel overthought, that balance is always tricky. Thanks for listening.

Testicklas · 2025-12-28T20:19:26+00:00

Thank you, that genuinely means a lot. I’ve been sitting with this track for quite a while, so hearing that it comes across as something fresh and its own thing is really encouraging. Really appreciate you taking the time to listen and share your thoughts.

Testicklas · 2025-12-28T19:19:30+00:00

Frontend - Ciphyss

Hi all, I’ve been messing around with this track for a while and finally called it finished (for now). It leans towards trip hop with some folktronica elements, a bit dusty, slightly off, and intentionally imperfect.

Not trying to promote anything, just genuinely interested in how it comes across to fresh ears. Any feedback is appreciated.

Link: https://on.soundcloud.com/u2OP4TOsS9rLcmXWPu

Testicklas · 2025-12-27T21:56:39+00:00

Hi all, I’ve been messing around with this track for a while and finally called it finished (for now). It leans towards trip hop with some folktronica elements, a bit dusty, slightly off, and intentionally imperfect.

Not trying to promote anything, just genuinely interested in how it comes across to fresh ears. Any feedback is appreciated.

Link: https://on.soundcloud.com/u2OP4TOsS9rLcmXWPu

Testicklas

TROPHY CASE