“Strange Tides” by RX1F (@voxpopsicle) is really very good. A proper shoutout to ‘80s synth-rock ballads. Such a nostalgia hit. Great song! Vote code LAPU.
I’m going to mention “The Roses Outside Grow Suspiciously Red” by Dace Merryweather (@Dace) because I’m a sucker for songs that tell a story, and this song definitely does that! Fun guitars too!! Vote code MIRR
“Selfish” gives me strong ‘90s dance vibes. Really well done. By pgcd (@pgcd), the vote code is ASYN.
I adore this song “Transmitting For Years” by Kestral Gaian (@kestral)
Voyager 1 beaming back a binary vocal solo is brilliant. Vote code RBHN
Love the guitar work in “Face the Fire” by Nerds United (@simonvey) Simon Vey and Andrew J Raven. Cool vocals too. Very epic. Vote code TAUS
The cruisey beat and chill melody belie the seriousness of the lyrics in “Open Your Eyes” by Ferocious Designs (@ferociousdesigns). Excellent song. Important message. Vote code KAST
It’s hard not to enjoy a song that hopes it’ll inspire you to choke. “Living The Dream” by sknob (@sknob) tells a story of partial triumph, backed by a cheerful guitar strum. Very cool. Vote code RUGG
Blade Runner vibes. “File Already Exists: Overwrite?” by 19th Incarnation (@GothAndy) is a track that would improve any cyberpunk game. Love it. Vote code COSM
“7Lifes Part2” by kamiza (@yours_truly) is a great dance club number, which is ironic since it is about avoiding clubs and places where COVID-careless people may gather. Thumping beat. I like it. Vote code UDIL
Has anyone cracked the code yet? “Peaceful on the Surface” by Trebach (@trebach) has a message hiding in this track. I believe they’ve dropped a few hints on their profile for those sleuths among you. Nice job! Vote code CONF
Surprisingly few rappers in Fedivision. Well, I was surprised. I spend a lot of time on Soundcloud though, so that probably skewed my expectations. We do get a freestyle though. “aAa freestyle” by daYs ending in Y (@philsawa) lays down a track that truly embraces the spirit of Fedivision. Glad you got a “round tuit”. Vote code CANA
“Webpunks” by MOULE (@MOULE) is just a banger. Superbly crafted with great drops and a kick that rattles your teeth.
Relevant lyrics lament “the 'enshittification' of the modern web.” Excellent piece. Vote code MOUL
A voice. A guitar. A song. “criminal” by Duc (@nimona) speaks powerfully to the discrimination of LGBTQIA+ people in today’s world. Really cool song. Vote code WILI
“Keep the Mask (if it helps)” by The Midnight Detective Club (@ashnoodle) is a song about masks, and overcoming self-doubt. It grooves. Vote code IPGW
The gorilla starts throwing barrels at you. This track put a huge grin on my face. Fry describing Donkey Kong? Take my money!! “Gorilla Barrels” by dysphoricUnicorn🪿(@dysphoricunicorn) is a really fun track. Vote code NNYO
The lyrics for “Tap My Toes” by Leigh Harrison (@elsemusic) encapsulates the spirit of #Fedivision perfectly. This is a really cool song and I’ve already added it to my favourites on Soundcloud. Great work. Vote code CABA
There’s a song in this year’s #Fedivision Song Contest called “Snork (We’re OK)” which appears to be a promotional surf-rock anthem by Duchy of Snork’s Ministry of Tourism. While this song might seem to be the work of Postwar Vulgar (@DuchessOfSnork), I have it on good authority that they had nothing to do with it. I hope the Duchess likes it. Vote code SNOR
If I understand correctly, “GeoGuessr Song” was unwittingly written by Wolfseule (@Wolfseule) here:
https://mastodon.social/@Wolfseule/112376088182601131
And this toot was turned into a song by Scott Hühnerkrisp (@ScottHuehnerkrisp) and that’s the story. It’s hilarious. I literally laughed out loud. Totally meme worthy. Vote code EAPO
A song about a life wasted to modern distractions, “Irresistible Meltdown” by Kris Madaus (@Runningkow) has that sweet ‘80s vibe I’m always craving. Good song! Vote code OSKY
“The Y-Files” by aflands (@aflands) is a dark experimental synth soundscape. Cool vibe. Vote code AFLA
“Synthetic Synchronicity” by Revengeday (@revengeday) is a dance club number which calls to the ‘90s Berlin scene. A bangin’ groove that’ll get your body movin’. Cool vocals for a piece without lyrics too. Vote code CYBE
Another instrumental with cool vocals, the 6/8 time gives a nice rolling rhythm that evokes a feeling of relentless forward movement. “In the Wind” by UXdB (@bittersweetdb) is an excellent track. Vote code ODTH
“The Funniest Thing” by MyLoFy (@MyLoFy) feat. Aaron (@convolution) has been created using only open source software.
“Thanks to ardour, surge-xt, LSP, airwindows, x42, falktx, guitarix, zamaudio and many more of our FOSS heroes!” ~ MyLoFy
A chill ‘80s sounding synth song with a story of watching the world burn through social media. Thoroughly enjoyable. Emoji thumbs up!! Vote code FOSS
It’s not often that an artist creates a new language for their song, but that’s what’s happened with “zwikąt” by Xym (@rybson). If the words to express yourself don’t exist, make some new words! Cool concept. Vote code OBTG
The artist states that they wanted chaos and noise.
“C'est ça la rime” by Me In The Bath (@CremRoad) is a #Fedivision entry this year. It’s in French, but the lyrics aren’t the only thing I don’t understand. It’s definitely an experience. Vote code OIMC
The a cappella “Son señales” by Díez (@Langile) conveys a feeling of finding one’s way in an empty world. Really pretty. Cool bells too. Vote code BINK
“Monster'n'Mermaid” by Nigel Harpur (@nigelharpur) is an ethereal experience with some really cool synth layers. It has lyrics listed, but you have to really listen carefully to catch them. Cool groove. Vote code OSTF
The funky blues progression produced by retro Amiga chips with robot vocals took me by surprise on the first play. I didn’t think chiptunes could sound that good. “Laden läuft.mod” by PAULAnder von Liebhertz (@herr_irrtum) is not only a really cool technical accomplishment, it’s also an excellent song. Vote code CBMC
“When the Darkness Found Us (#Fedivision 2024 Edit)” by Scott Smigiel (@ssmigiel) is a tense soundscape with many dark layers. Vote code WSAN
“Friends Again” by INPC (@mxtthxw) is a dark and moody synth piece. It feels like it takes me on a journey of adventures through a cyberpunk wasteland. Really cool. Vote code GNOM
“1000” by Lost Voices [Mux2000 (@Mux) secretspecter (@specter) [Evil] Brielle labingi 🏳️⚧️ (@Brielle)] is a song dedicated to those who have been affected by war.
“For everyone touched by war.” ~ Lost Voices
The song’s lyrics are driven by a marching drum, speaking to the massive effort and sacrifice, and loss, in the name of war. Excellent songwriting. I really enjoyed the piece. Vote code ABLS
The opening synth bass and drums set up the guitar nicely in this song about the most innocent man in the world. The melody is great, the composition is top tier, and the discordant solo and abrupt ending is just the cherry on top. Love this song. “Innocent” by death ponee (@slvrbckt) Vote code ELAN
“Fediverse Fans Forever” by Randy Resnick (@randulo) is a great little rock song with some really cool (and cheeky) lyrics regarding social media and the Fediverse.
One really impressive aspect is that Randy played the guitar and sax on this track with two broken wrists!! Dave Grohl would be proud!
Really cool song, thoroughly enjoyed. Vote code FVIA
Chris Brind (@brindy) has produced a really cool Norse sounding track, with mandolin and big bass drum. “Crimson Tide” sounds like it should be in the opening titles of an epic Viking film. Great song. Love it. Vote code THRO
“The Spell Song™” by CrumplyHeadshot [DHeadshot's Alt (@ddlyh) crump (@crump)] is a medieval bard’s tale about an epic magic battle between a wizard and a mighty dragon - in space!!
“This track is an alien folk song about a mythical event regarding the power of music, i.e The Spell Song™.” ~ CrumplyHeadshot
Fun! Vote code QAAR
“S A U C I S S E” by Desmu (@desmu) is just pure fun, made even better with the adorable music video.
https://peertube.desmu.fr/w/mmGRGtMdz6jnP2DvuCovec
Vote code OWHM
I think “TV-Sick” by Lioh & The Garage Band (@Lioh) qualifies as heavy metal, though Lioh describes the genre as Crossover. The song is about the negative influence of modern media and the depiction of violence, and how that affects mental health.
“We should find ways to protect us against the bad habits of using the media to distract ourselves and instead focus more on doing things with our friends and beloved ones.” ~ Lioh
Great heavy rock song. Love it! Vote code CEPH
I am a sucker for an acoustic love song. “She's all of Me” by My Turning Point (@MTP) starts with a lovely arpeggio riff on a clean acoustic guitar that comforts us throughout the song. The vocals come in perfectly, surprise you with some unexpected lyrics, and get you listening to this beautiful expression of acceptance and love. Perfect. Vote code INTK
If I made keygens, this is the song I’d want to play. “Site-23” by Fabi (@fabi) has produced a banger chiptune here. Great tune! Vote code BLAH
“Sum of my Parts” by Alison Selby (@alison) has a cool bass hook that grabs you from the beginning of the song. The lyrics are about the end of a relationship and the vocals fit the tune really well. Loved the breakdown. Thoroughly enjoyable. Vote code KRIS
The instrumental “BBB (Big Boomer Bænd)” by Lorenzo Miniero (@lminiero) definitely delivers on the big band sound, with extra tasty guitar solos for good measure. Great fun. Cool track. Vote code DEEP
Haunting strings open “Oasis” by Accidental Mayhem (@whoosh) and are quickly joined by an equally haunting vocal. I think the song refers to the facade that social media influencers keep up, living in their own information bubble. I might have that all wrong, but I enjoyed the track. Great song!! Vote code EATW
“Everglades” by Squalor Possum (@squalorpossum), representing Harsh Noise Conservation Commission, Wetlands Division.
Apart from saying “Well done, you have represented the Harsh Noise Conservation Commission well.”, I will say that there are layers in this I didn’t expect to find. Interesting track. Vote code HNCC
“A number on a page” by Aral Balkan (@aral) is a heart wrenching piano ballad. Amazing vocal harmonies. Bit of a Bowie vibe in parts? Beautiful piece. Vote code UFOP
“Maudit” by Faustine (@faustivache) & Juliette is definitely another #Fedivision song! I used a translator to read the lyrics. It did not help me understand what the song is about. That doesn’t matter! The music is fire and I like it!! I’m confused, but I like it. Vote code WCFA
“This Fragile Atmosphere” by Lonnon Foster (@lonnon) begins with a finger snap in the mic which becomes the main driver for the layers of synths that follow it, drive it, push it, relentlessly, until your tapping your foot and bobbing your head. Excellent ideas. Excellent track. Vote code NBLT
“Mare” by Schall und Stille (@stephan) featuring MyLoFy (@MyLoFy) and Tobias Stutz. I like this one. The instruments complement each other nicely and the vocals fit really well. MyLoFy does a great job on the guitar solo, and Tobias brings the cello in beautifully. The lyrics speak about unspoken connections. Great track. Vote code RAIL
“goodBeginnings” by frigginGlorious (@frigginglorious) is a love song recalling the first meeting and celebrating the relationship. #Fedivision delivers such a wide variety of music to us. There’s a real space rock vibe on this one. I enjoyed it. Vote code SHED
For some reason “Nobody Else Will” by skye gaenseblum (@skye) instantly transported me to some mystical underground cavern in a Zelda style adventure on a SNES. I’m not sure why…
It’s a really lovely piece. Vote code TASS
“Shoot Away Pain” by Jämezytee (@Jamezytee) delivers the rhymes in this epic hip-hop track. Heavy lyrics speak to the problem of gun violence and its ties to mental health, lobby groups, and modern media. Important messages in a banger track. Vote code PRNY
“Threaded Invasion” by The1goit (@the1goit) is an instrumental piece with a great rhythm and driving melody.
“…I decided to theme this track after Threads "federating" and the instances trying to fight back against the data-grabbing, all seeing eyes of Facebook…” ~ The1goit
I think the impression of a digital battlefield has been successfully delivered. Great track! Vote code TBSC
“Light Beam” by Earl20 (@jdufour) is an instrumental synth with a kickin’ beat and some wicked harmonies. Really easy to bop along to. Very nice. Vote code NEUT