ReMix:Sonic the Hedgehog "Childhood (Act 2)" 4:23

What's that you say? You want MORE GREEN HILL ZONE? From another newcomer? ALSO electronic? But no rapping this time, just to mix things up a LITTLE? Well then, helpfully-specific listener, have we got news for you! Following up our previous rapstep take on GHZ comes Paul John with an EDM take on the familiar theme:

"The same goes for 'Act 2', a result of honing my skills as an EDM producer. 'Childhood' is definitely a derivative work over a cover, and with 'Green Hill Zone' being rather repetitive, I tried to add as much as I could, without straying from the main theme/goal...fun, good times as children."

Nice. So yeah, a couple things of note, here... first is that this indeed the second part of a two-track homage, the first part being a standalone orchestral mix that didn't pass the panel. Second, this mix almost didn't make it through itself, as there was some dissent on it being too liberal and/or too staple for the genre. I was forced to use my supreme tiebreaking abilities and weigh in with the deciding vote, and I'm happy because I feel like it's a fun take on the source. Not rocket science, doesn't color outside the lines too much for the genre, but I dig the slow-burn intro with sounds of kids playing; I expected things to drop at 0'34", but it takes an extra segment to build to 0'49" - I like the grit on the main synths, giving them additional character, and when the main motif enters at 1'26" after a smooth "SEGA!!" sample, it definitely clicks. halc writes:

"Like Fishy I gotta agree, this is much, much stronger than the first act in every way, even though its a completely different style. Good variations and change ups, and a really interesting approach to the theme, some unique harmonic changes particularly with the melody."

Ditto that; the melody remains recognizable, but Paul definitely put his own spin on things, and I feel like the variations were both interesting AND succeeded in adapting the original to fit this genre more effectively. Good, interpretive stuff that certainly sussed out some ideological differences on the panel & prompted a healthy exchange of ideas. At the end of the day, while it takes awhile to get to the meat of the arrangement AND fully embraces some established EDM conventions, neither of those things are dealbreakers, and the end result is an easily enjoyable mix that still manages to squeeze more life & put yet another spin on GHZ!