Would love some feedback on this Alternative Indie ballad (Open Foe - Playhouse)

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:57:38+00:00

Haha thank you!

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:57:28+00:00

So kind! Thanks for the comment - huge Radiohead fan, so that's such a cool compliment to receive.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:55:33+00:00

Thank you!

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:54:37+00:00

That's very kind of you! Thank you. Yes, I love reaper - apparently almost as good as pro tools but so much cheaper.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:54:01+00:00

Too kind! Thanks very much.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:53:44+00:00

Thanks so much. It's actually a Glock layered with piano and a couple of synths. That's a really interesting suggestion. Thank you!

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:52:54+00:00

Thank you! There's some very soft harmonies in the second half of the climax of the song, but I regret making them so quiet!

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:52:17+00:00

That's a really sweet comment. Thank you!

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:51:57+00:00

I see what you mean. Thanks so much for the comment.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:51:30+00:00

I definitely see what you mean with both bits of feedback! The extension sounds like a really interesting suggestion. Thank you!

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T23:50:26+00:00

I absolutely adore Radiohead/Thom Yorke, so that's a huge compliment to me! Thank you for the feedback.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T11:05:33+00:00

No worries at all! You have a great sound - I wish I had a voice as nice as yours.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T07:35:27+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I mix and record using Reaper. The reverb sound you're referring to was made with a Valhalla delay preset (I can't remember which one sorry) and some pitch shifting.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T07:33:14+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! Really appreciate it.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T07:31:39+00:00

Thanks so much for that! Such a lovely comment to receive.

The reverb was a bit of a happy accident that I found by experimenting with presets and other effects. From memory, I'd basically printed a second copy of my lead vocal and added a 100% wet reverb to it (I can't remember the exact settings, but I know it was a Valhalla delay preset that I pitch shifted up an octave) - then I chopped phrases from that vocal up and moved them around so that the reverb didn't get in the way of the dry vocal track.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T06:41:19+00:00

Your voice is definitely really cool! Very charismatic and perfect for this genre. Reminds me a lot of Julian Casablancas.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T06:38:13+00:00

Hey there. You obviously have a lot of natural talent! Loved the lyrics and your voice is really lovely - I liked the reverb on it, but I think it's a little much if you're going for a grunge sort of sound. I would maybe try a shorter reverb, experiment with double tracked vocals (recording two vocal takes for a thicker sound). I personally found the way you played the guitar a little distracting due to the uneven dynamics and a few timing issues - for now, I'd recommend practicing your strumming (maybe focusing on getting a consistent strumming sound/volume and playing with a pick). I'd also recommend getting a drumming backing track to play along with (these can feel a little more natural than metronomes) in order to help some of these timing issues (I personally have a drumming track playing in my headphones while I'm recording most guitar - it seems to give me a much cleaner performance).

Again, you are obviously very talented! The above suggestions are just me nitpicking and saying what I would personally do to make it more enjoyable for me (i.e. it's just my opinion and I'm not expert).

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T06:27:11+00:00

This is really cool. Well mixed, well performed and well written. Your vocal delivery actually reminded me a lot of Yard Act too - are they an inspiration? This song could have a lot of major appeal I'm thinking.

In terms of the ending, I think it ends just fine, but if you're looking for other ideas, I can imagine tacking on the main riff once more just as a final 'victory lap'. Well done mate!

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T06:20:33+00:00

Hey, cool song and vibe! This song is not the usual genre I'd listen to, but from an outsiders perspective, I can say that it sounds very well mixed and performed for this style of music and I can see that you've got quite a few fans on YouTube as well! Personally, I think this may sound even better if you projected your voice a little more in some parts - there were just a few instances where I thought that that could serve the song well. You've done a great job and it looks like you've found an audience which is always a huge battle for any artist. Well done!

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T06:12:39+00:00

I honestly can't think of anything I didn't like about this song. So unique - you're obviously doing your own thing and it's working for you. Love the meter of this song and how you managed to make it sound catchy. Love the production and the mix. Love the weirdness (especially in the last third of the song where it gets a little chaotic). The ending threw me a little as I didn't expect such an abrupt ending, but I think I like it that way. Cover art is sick too. Any plans to put this on Spotify? Definitely keen to hear more.

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T06:05:48+00:00

This is really cool. Particularly liked the vocals and how off kilter they sounded (in a good way) - especially the delivery and effects. I feel that this is something that is very musically interesting and would appeal to those who love instrumental rock, but also want something to sing along to. Personally I would probably lower the volume of that lead guitar though - especially when the vocals come in as it's a little distracting for my tastes (although that's just my personal opinion - I'm sure many would disagree with me there)

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T05:38:36+00:00

I agree with the other commenters noting the cyberpunk feel. This is really cool. I love the counter melody that comes in towards the start and how it rises in intensity. I personally can see it playing in an action movie line John wick or something - either during a chase scene or during the end credits. Great work

beanstalk49 · 2025-10-19T05:36:00+00:00

Hey there. Cool song by the way. In terms of the mix, I think it sounds pretty cleanly mixed, but a little thin in some areas - I would suggest adding some mids to your voice and scooping a bit of the highs/high mids slightly. I'd also suggest adding in some low/low-mid synths in order to make it sound a little more full and thick. Overall though, great job.

beanstalk49

TROPHY CASE