nobodyknows+ - Kokoro Odoru by toybot

this is a review of the bbj diff - so, so good!! committing to the vocals this hard is a huge risk, but it pays off cuz she has such a strong command over phrasing & when to use sharp aim vs wide aim - not to mention the patterns themselves are incredibly fun. i think 01:58:654 (4) - to 02:07:680 (1) - demonstrates all those things really well, but you can see it all over.

leverages repetition a few times in fun ways (00:54:406 (1) - (01:55:202 (1) -). for example, 02:57:326 (4) - this one uses the same object placement for that similar sounding vocal phrase but switches up the details each go around to keep it feeling fresh (2nd grouping upgrades from linear sliders to beefy curved sliders & switches flow direction for the gang vocals, 3rd grouping downgrades to just circles to emphasize being the last repetition and transition into the next objects). this "clever repetition" trick is one i am particularly fond of, but your mileage may vary.

my only gripe is that since most of the map is 1/2 rhythms and ignores the time/distance ratio (which is what makes this map work for the record), it makes stuff that breaks out to weirder snappings to follow the vocals more closely (01:32:813 (2,4) - 01:42:923 (6,4) - etc) almost a guaranteed misread and 100/50 if you're sightreading this. not a huge dealbreaker because it is still thoughtful but only a keen eye is gonna notice that the first go through. probably could have gotten away with just simplifying all that stuff, but being that dedicated to the vocals - i get it. also MAYBE three breaks is too many but its nbd lol

anyways, seriously so much fun! there is so much pure gold in this map that i want to rip from all the time. if i talked about every pattern i liked i'd be talking about probably 80% of the map so i'll save that for another time - who wants to read that much? it reminds me a lot of this /s/1667459 revurii map, which i like for a lot of the same reasons. this feels a lot more reigned in though. stellar work where can i find more of this

(also, rare map that makes me like the song a lot more? the gruff vocalist would get on my nerves a lot more if this map were not as playful and energetic as it was)