Thanks so much for such detailed and measured feedback! I know the part you're talking about with the spikes, and that's completely my bad, I added it at the very end of the jam as additional challenge and didn't really playtest it, but looking back at it, it is stupidly unfair. I feel like syncing enemies to the music would definitely add more of a flow and emphasis to the music, so I would absolutely take that into account if I were to iterate on the game, however the time restraints stopped me from implementing this. I'm really glad you enjoyed the game though, and you're feedback is more helpful than you can imagine! Celeste definitely was an inspiration, as well as VVVVV. Gonna try out your game now! (and for the record, I died about the same amount as you, so well done!)