By Mark Hadley
More than any other tune in Homestuck, this one feels as though it’s been pulled straight out of an NES game, circa 1990. That really distinctive triangle wave bassline does it, I think. Reminds me of tunes from old classics like Guardian Legend or Rampage.
By Michael Guy Bowman. Original “Harlequin” by Mark Hadley. Guitar by Joseph Aylsworth.
A faithful, almost note-for-note rock cover of Harlequin for most of its length. The bridge at 1:20 is more interesting, though, as it takes off into a little more freestyle solo guitar work.
By Robert J! Lake. Original “Verdancy” by Kalibration.
The original version of Verdancy is kinda plain: a new meter, some eerie effects, and a counter-melody helps to flesh it out into a jam. To put it into comic perspective, it’s as though Jade knocked out a bass solo, sent it to Dave, and he sent it back with the turntables in full effect. The jarring, panning guitar riff is especially cool.
By Toby “Radiation” Fox
A simple fragment of lullaby in two parts. I like the last bit, with its note-warped ‘waking up, but something’s weird / wrong’ vibe.
By George Buzinkai
For a song written in a minor key, it’s almost impossibly bright and cheery. And it’s the inspiration for an endless parade of remixes and covers. A quick search shows no less than twenty remixes that draw inspiration partly or wholly from this one song.