ReMix:Sonic CD "Future Crystalline Luminosity" 6:08

ladyWildfire contributed to Brandon Strader's LttP mix back in 2011, but this marks Beth's debut as primary arranger, with some assistance from Level 99, and it really shows what she can do - gorgeous electronic mix with ethereal choral components, crisp acoustic guitar, wide open spaces, and an undulating synth accompaniment that pulses underneath. Electric guitar enters later, but it's more of a clean, mellow, sustained tone; I also dig the subtle bitcrushing/lofi processing on certain elements. There's a ton of development, too; the arrangement keeps developing & evolving with direction, while the shimmering production remains a constant. Album director SupX writes:

"From ladyWildfire, we have an ever-evolving progressive trance mix of "Quartz Quadrant" US. The thing that really stands out to me with this mix is the attention to detail throughout the track. There are so many little elements that get added in and taken out throughout the many build-ups and breakdowns, which really helps keep the track interesting and fresh. If you're just casually listening to the mix, you could easily get lost in the atmosphere Beth's created here. The guitar parts from Stevo (Level 99) are a perfect addition and honestly fit the track a lot better than I thought they would when I first heard about the idea. The combination of the acoustic guitar and Beth's ethereal vocals in the intro really fit together well, and helps get the song started off strong. Stevo's electric guitar solo later in the track really helps invigorate the track with some extra energy for the home stretch. The time and effort Beth spent on this mix is apparent, as I think this is easily the most polished mix I've heard from her to date!"

Color me impressed; everything here really clicks for me, and the integration of Stevo's contributions is seamless, elevating the mix while being fully assimilated into its world. Beth writes:

"I was unable to start production on this track for many months due to a tough class load, so I started much later than most other remixers on this project and was under a big time constraint. I was struggling with the direction to take on this piece, since "Quartz Quadrant" US doesn't have many distinct melodies. I chose to focus on the more ambient/electronic Future themes, combining the major-key Good Future's melody with the minor-key Bad Future's atmosphere. About halfway through production, I asked my good friend Stevo (Level 99) to provide some samples, and it ended up fitting the track much better than I had expected. Near the end of production, I was pressured into adding my own vocals to the track, which ended up being the final touch on what I now believe to be my most ambitious piece to date. I put in many long nights and a ton of effort into this remix, and I hope you all love it like I do!"

I do, and the effort shows - on a strong album to begin with, this track definitely stands out as a highlight & brings an excellent sense of space and movement that's completely in keeping with the Sonic CD universe. Compositionally, arrangement ideas like this can end up feeling drawn out, too repetitive, or so mellow that you lose your place, but Beth really nailed the progression & introduction of new elements, providing landmarks along the journey and numerous points of interest in a landscape that was already mesmerizing to begin with. Excellent work & an impressive arranging debut on the site for ladyWildfire, and yet ANOTHER gem in Temporal Duality's crown!