ARRANGEMENT / INTERPRETATION
[X] Too conservative - sticks too close to the sourcewriting)
PRODUCTION
[X] Low-quality samples
[X] Unrealistic sequencing
[X] Drums have no energy
STRUCTURE
[X] Not enough changes in sounds (eg. static texture, not dynamic enough)
[X] Too repetitive
PERSONAL COMMENTS
I'll start with the good:
-Clear soundfield and pretty well-balanced mixing
-Pretty cool intro with that horn solo. I'd really like to know what sample that is
-Good use of pads to fill out the soundscape
Here's the stuff that needs improving:
-First and foremost, arrangment. This sticks to a very similar flow to the original, most noteably in the intro. You're using similar instrument choices (or doing a 1 to 1 conversion to your own instruments), same key, same beat, chords, etc. You need to take this song and try to personalize and interpret it further to fit into OCR guidelines.
-Second, some of the instruments used seem like a downgrade from the original. You're choosing to use guitars other instruments similar to the original, but your guitar samples sound fakey vs. the more realistic and complex original. When the drums come in, they immediately go into autopilot for the rest of the song - no changes or fills. The kick is barely present (I actually just realized it was 4 on the floor at 1:30, I couldn't tell before) and the snare is very hissy with no mid-range body to it.
-I wasn't really feeling this fadeout or the ending. It was a pretty drawnout fade and, while it works in other music, I don't think it does this genre justice. Try and come up with something interesting to end on.
Hope this helps.