I loved the 1st one. It just jumped out at me. And what's funny is I'm usually a "structured" gal...but sometimes we just have to "random it up"..lol.
I think what I notice in the 2nd one is in the middle some of the blocks are so close in value, and being light they kind of get lost in each other. The colors you used are fabulous, and I love the way they work together, yet the different darks, mediums, lights can be arranged where the colors contrast so beautifully as well.
Regards,
Kif