Posted 2012-10-19, evaluated by djpretzel


LOVE THIS MIX!!

Really just awesome; the artist formerly known as Prophecy, now Jason Covenant, was last posted in 2005 as part of Kong in Concert. He's had other album tracks and made music since then, but this is the first time we're posting something, and WOW ...what a way to return to OCR in style! Robbie (Akuma) collab'd and added vocals, and the result is a fantastic pop/electronica track that's got Robbie's signature vocal hooks (see the equally amazing Mega Man 2 'For You') and Jason's arrangement, and the two blend SEAMLESSLY. Jason writes:

"Akuma and I decided we wanted to make something from Concrete Man's point of view. As far as he's concerned, his powers are constructive by nature - he makes concrete blocks and structures. He just fell into the wrong crowd, not understanding Dr. Wily's true intentions. He was just hanging out building a small home for orphans when some blue jerk stormed into his place, murdered all his friends and is trying to steal his powers. The song is about his confrontation with this blue robotic burglar."

Robbie adds:

"So, Jason sends me this loop and tells me it's begging for vocals. Then he links me to the source, which was all kinds of awesome. And with that everything just fell into place with the mix. I couldn't be happier with the end result; a track I feel that the forgotten Concrete Man could really feel proud of. And more than that, I feel that Jason and I really meet in this bizarre musical head space when it comes to ReMixes, so future collabs are definitely on the cards for us. But yeah, I hope you guys dig 'Concrete Heart'!!!"

That's fantastic news, if this debut collaboration is any sort of indicator. The pre-chorus break/glitch transition is a lot of fun, and when the chorus hits and Robbie's vocal finally fleshes out w/ harmony, it's one of those spine-chilling moments that are essentially unique to mixes that incorporate vocals effectively. I know there are some folks who prefer their VGM arrangements to be purely instrumental, but I ALSO know that Robbie made converts of a lot of those very same people with his Mega Man 2 mix, and I see no reason why that trend shouldn't continue with this opus. Lyrics are spot-on - contextual yet completely natural - and I honestly can't find anything to fault; I've had this on a loop for 20 minutes just now and am still lovin' it. Great to be posting something new from Jason, great to see Robbie continuing to represent male pop vocals so well, and I am SO looking forward to whatever else these guys come up with together. Highly recommended!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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SampleScience
on 2017-02-27 11:21:41

Very catchy tune, sounds really good, the glitchy parts are well done but I think they could have been improved. Otherwise, it's great!!

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Chromarin
on 2017-02-18 12:13:20

Such a sweet eletroc-pop song, love the vocals! :D

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Black_Doom
on 2014-11-28 14:53:55

So we have one talanted man and another talanted man. What is their collaboration like? It's a very enjoyable mix that can soften even the most concrete heart in the world. Excellent!

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Crulex
on 2013-07-11 13:18:22

I personally always love it when a ReMix sorta looks into the world and view of the Robot Master it represents. Lyrics fit right in to Concrete Man and I love Akuma's vocals over them. Great use of vocal and musical glitching. This is really catchy, especially in the chorus. The entire arrangement seems as solid as......well.....concrete.

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twilightsquid
on 2012-11-14 01:18:56

Man, Akumajo is one of my favorite remixers, and this may be my favorite of his tracks so far, so that's saying something. Quite possibly my favorite from the year, not gonna lie.

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brimtastic
on 2012-10-25 19:28:54

Such a fun remix! Solid production all around, but in particular the glitch effects are perfect. Not too extreme, they retain some softness and are just so darn fun. Those catchy pop-strings are another highlight.

It's not often a song makes me smile so much, hence me finally making my first post.

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Kadosho
on 2012-10-24 15:52:27

I remember the other vox track this artist made awhile back. And that tune was solid, and this one should be praised. It really delivers a fun idea behind how a Mega Man boss actually feels. And to be honest, it makes me wish this was an in-game theme. Awesome track!

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Phonetic Hero
on 2012-10-20 12:56:36

I tried not to like this, but it's impossible; AMAZING vox, KILLER arrangement, BEAUTIFUL production, GROSS beats (c wat i did thar?). All of my yes

Also, I didn't try to not like this. That is just foolish

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Mirby
on 2012-10-20 01:35:40
Akuma's voice is the musical equivalent of really good Thai food, but better. Put him together with Jason Covenant, who knows how to play Akuma's strengths better than anyone and come up with a brilliant arrangement with delicious sounding production, and you have this.

If Jason and Akuma made an album together I could listen to it on repeat endlessly, and never have to take my headphones off ever again.

if they made an album together, world peace would be achieved.

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Ghetto Lee Lewis
on 2012-10-20 01:03:07

Akuma's voice is the musical equivalent of really good Thai food, but better. Put him together with Jason Covenant, who knows how to play Akuma's strengths better than anyone and come up with a brilliant arrangement with delicious sounding production, and you have this.

If Jason and Akuma made an album together I could listen to it on repeat endlessly, and never have to take my headphones off ever again.

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Mirby
on 2012-10-19 17:04:40

does the concrete man EP not count as an album? :P

seriously, love this track. it's phenomenal, and i look forward to seeing what akuma does next.

and no, that's not just because what's next is on the cid project, what are you talking about? :tomatoface:

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SwordBreaker
on 2012-10-19 15:38:19

Not a bad remix, yet personally "For You" was way superior from a stylistic and lyrical standpoint. I like the glitch effects in the vocals and the arrangement itself was solid, but I'm not as hooked to the lyrics and singing even though the production is better than Akumajo's last track. "For You" is a very hard track to top off though, so props for trying to do so.

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Nonamer
on 2012-10-19 15:23:07

One of the nuggets of gold found in the Concrete Man EP (looks at Sir_Nuts). I've stated before that AkumajoBelmont's vocals are spectacular, and I've always admired the musical stylings of the man formerly known as Prophecy.

Also, I must say that one of the sound effects in the chorus sound's exactly like my dorm's fire alarm. Gets me every time.

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DaMonz
on 2012-10-19 15:19:47

This rocks! This socks! This cinder-blocks! :D

Awesome stuff guys :)

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Bahamut
on 2012-10-19 15:04:57

Whoa, this mix is pretty sweet - sounds poppish, very easy to listen enjoy. The song is built pretty well around Robbie's vocals.

I dig this quite a bit!

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Mega Man 9 (Capcom , 2008, WII)
Music by Hiroki Isogai,Ippo Yamada,Ryo Kawakami,Yu Shimoda
Songs:
"Concrete Jungle (Concrete Man Stage)"

Tags (8)


Genre:
Pop
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Singing,Synth,Vocals: Male
Additional:
Effects > Glitching
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original
Origin > Collaboration

File Information


Name:
Mega_Man_9_Concrete_Heart_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
8,295,390 bytes
MD5:
f2e79a6ddbc27dfb39c0f48dabaceeea
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
5:42

I see a ray of light in my vision
Everything is coming back to keep me driven
I'm takin' ya down
And you'll stay locked up in this prison

You can fight your way to get to me
But you better believe this is how it's gonna be
You think you're clever
You're not so mega
You're just the same as everybody else

[Bridge]

And I'm gonna prove in time
That no heart's as strong as mine
No way to pierce my skin
There's no flesh and blood here

So you're gonna have to try
To find another way inside

[Chorus]

No matter what, I won't back down from you
This concrete heart will drive you down
'Cause we both know that there's no room for two
My concrete heart will drive you down

In a moment, I can feel the heat
And as every minute passes by, you'll know defeat
So give it your best
But believe that I have got the strength inside

You can fight your way to get to me
But the only way that this will end is in retreat
You think you're better
But I know better
'Cause you're no different to anybody else

[Bridge]

[Chorus x3]

Ohhh-whoa
Whoa-oh-ho-oh-whoa

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