I never really go out of my way to look for cool Jayuff levels but when one crosses paths with me it's always a great time. Special FX is an incredibly joyous level and it evidently had a lot of influence flowing both in and out of it. 2019 was definitely a great year for chill modern and effect levels, all of which may as well be evident in Special FX entirely. Although I wish I could say only good things about it, the level does have several points where all the colors and art are starkly absent for a transitional moment. The other main level I would relate this to is Adust, which also has some very annoying and completely empty parts where you just do a couple triple spikes, and both levels are unspeakably held back by it. Special FX is also very crusty in its design at times, with some relatively subtle things that would probably be sanded off if the level were released closer to the present, but for me it just elevates the whimsical charm levels from the time had and it's hard to say the level's even worse off for it in the first place. Jayuff also knows exactly how much energy to put into each part of their creations, and especially in the second half the balance is met perfectly. Enduring classic as always from them lol

"Special FX" really is a 'special' level. It's a level that isn't too dissimilar from Jayuff's earlier level, "Mashup", which also acts as a varied, vibrant collage of multiple different ideas and designs. Although, unlike in "Mashup" where every 'break' between each section was clearly dictated and defined by its song, "Special FX" takes a much smoother approach to switching things up. As is made evident by its description ('some random stuff i made'), "Special FX" is a pretty experimental level; it's just Jayuff trying out new things and seeing what sticks. And it works so well!

There's so much life and color to be found within "Special FX". Each part is extremely dynamic and different from the preceding one. The designs and 'effects' (for which the level likely gets its namesake) are all incredibly clean and work exceptionally well together, whether it be the neon palm trees at the beginning, the 4:3 retro-TV styled squiggly mini-cube, the 'glitchy' brick wave segment, the three 'lazers' which flicker on screen in sync with the song as the level progresses, or the dazzlingly glowy and radiant wave section later on in the level that is punctuated by its simple, plain white block design and stars, "Special FX" is an excellent example of exactly how to make a 'collage' level. It might not be the most cohesive level when you look at the individual parts side-by-side, but they all come together to create a fantastic (as well as irresistibly fun) final product.

Not to mention, but the song representation of "Special FX" is phenomenally good. There's so many little pulses, flickers and movements within "Special FX" that make it feel all the more lively and charming. Jayuff always knows how to pick a great song, and '1991 Reebok Pumps (Demo)' isn't an exception to his long list of appropriately sublime song choices for his levels. It's an undeniably peppy and upbeat song (featuring brief samples from other similarly happy songs like 'Renai Circulation'), and as such, I think the colorful, vibrant, spontaneous nature of "Special FX" perfectly encapsulates the song's spirit.