ReMix:NiGHTS into dreams... "Dreamcatcher" 4:13

A new solo ReMix from Skrypnyk? Hells yes..."Last Night a DJ Kidnapped Mallow" remains one of my favorite mixes of SMRPG & in the genre, Andrew had a couple excellent collabs featured last year and back in 2009, and his prior solo featured ReMix was ALSO from NiGHTS and arranged the same source, so it's time to revisit that OST and see what he's come up with in the years since. This is actually a reworking/tweaking of the secret bonus track he contributed to Lucid Dreaming, a kind of ambient hip-hop ballad that swooshes & swirls under the stars:

"Way back in day, I had thought about doing a NiGHTS EP where I'd find 6 or so people to remix "Gate of Your Dream" in their own style, compile the mixes together, and release a 20-30 minute EP dedicated to this one tune. Though I never did pursue this, Level 99 had started up his own NiGHTS project and had approached me asking if I wanted to be apart of it.

I remember asking him not to tell anyone about my contribution to the album. What I meant by that was I didn't want to be credited at all with this mix. No MP3 tags, no linear notes, no mention on the site, nothing. Not that I thought my mix was bad or wanted to pull an Alan Smithee, but I thought it would be unique if the album ended with a hidden or anonymous track, and see if people would be curious enough to figure out who was behind it.

The original idea at the time was to create two mixes, one being bright and fun, the other being dark and eerie. I never got around to creating the darker mix and have since lost interest.

This remix is sort of a reprise take on my "Escape" mix where I re-sample a few elements. I wasn't fully satisfied with the remix that ended up on the album. I liked the idea, didn't like the execution. I've spent the last two weeks going back and touching up a good portion of the mix, rewriting some parts, polishing the mixing, etc., etc."

Very floaty, transcending vibe, complete with a power animal cameo wrapping things up at the end... suggesting we were in our cave, the whole time... or perhaps Skryp's? Emunator had much to say:

"I don't think I've been happier to see anyone's name in the submissions inbox than this. Skrypnyk is one of my favorite remixers - despite having produced only a handful of remixes, every submission has been singularly memorable in its own right. The original 'Escape into the Twilight' was my introduction to Skryp's work and has remained in my listening rotation for the last 7 years, so hearing a proper reprise is a real treat for me personally!

This version utilizes most of the same building blocks as the original, but the heightened emphasis on drums and the swirling, bugged-out effects really shows how Skryp has evolved as an artist in 7 years time. Glitches are plentiful but tastefully-implemented without relying on simple dBlue glitch patterns, and never compromise the mood of the track. One particular detail I loved was the little audio clips that are barely audible throughout the track, contributing to the dreamy atmosphere and creating some very memorable moments when they "peek through" the rest of the soundscape. The detail work absolutely makes this track for me and helps it stand comfortably apart from its predecessor."

The tempo & overall mood between this mix and its ancestor are pretty close, so this DOES stretch the limits of what we'd consider a standalone, new arrangement of a previously mixed source from the same artist, but the production is noticeably altered, especially on the percussive & ambient elements... in other words, it stands apart from its sibling, but it also stands very close. They're almost like... twin seeds ;) Enveloping, oddly peaceful stuff from Skrypnyk - great to see more music from him, interesting companion piece to his own arrangement from 2008, and well worth getting lost in!