Instructions

The jury for this year’s contest contains people with different connections to Norbergfestival. We have tried to make the group as diverse as possible. 

There are no strict criteria for how to rate the remixes. We ask you to “be you” and rate the remixes as you find fit. For example, if you work as a mixing engineer, you can disregard your work role and go for the remix that moves you the most, no matter the engineering quality. If you choose to rate them according to how they’re engineered, that’s just as fine. 

However, it’s important that you rate every remix from the same perspective. 

• The names of the artists who submitted music are anonymous to the jury. We label the tracks “Track 1”, “Track 2”, etc.
• Feel free to discuss the music with other people, but not with other members of the jury.
• We’d appreciate it if you set aside at least 10 minutes for listening and rating a track, and we prefer that you listen more than once to each remix.
• Try to listen actively and with your full focus on the music.

Ideas on how to rate music

Assessing music can be tricky. What is good and not? Here are some of our ideas on how to take on this task.

• Innovation and originality?
  Evaluate the uniqueness and inventiveness of the remix. Has the artist taken creative risks or introduced fresh elements to the genre?
• Cohesiveness within the genre?
  Evaluate how well the track fits within its designated genre. Consider whether the artist effectively navigates the conventions of the chosen style while adding a personal touch. While innovation is valued, understanding and respecting genre conventions shows that the artist’s awareness and ability to contribute to a specific musical tradition.
• Technical skills?
  Assess the level of technical proficiency displayed in the production, arrangement, and execution of the music.
• Emotional impact?
  Do the music elicits emotional responses? Consider the depth and sincerity of the conveyed emotions and the effectiveness in connecting with the listener.
• Composition and structure?
  Evaluate the overall structure, arrangement, and coherence of the composition. Assess how well the various elements are organized to create a compelling musical journey.
• Sound design and texture?
  Examine the intricacies of the sound palette, textures, and sonic landscapes. Assess the creativity in sound design and how it enhances the overall listening experience.
• Production quality?
  Consider how well the mix contributes to a professional and polished final product.
• Engagement and accessibility?
  How well does the track captivate and maintain your interest? How accessible the music is to a broad audience while maintaining its artistic integrity?
• Relevance and timelessness?
  Reflect on the track’s relevance in the current music landscape and it’s potential to stand the test of time. Does the music feels contemporary yet possesses enduring qualities?

Rate and submit

Evaluate all remixes on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best.

Write an optional short comment about your reasoning for the tracks you gave the highest ratings.

Submit your vote in this form

Listen to the music

You can play the music directly from this page or you can download a zip file containing all the remixes.

For a fair comparison and better listening experience, the tracks have been anonymized and loudness-normalized.

Original Track: “DO” by SHXCXCHCXSH, a Swedish techno duo that deconstructs the core of tomorrow’s dance floors. SHXCXCHCXSH continually manages to create and destroy everything the consumer seeks and enjoys. Where context is nothing, impression is everything and the beholder remains in center.