Today, I devote my attention to outstanding music production choices. It may be something in the song itself, in its arrangements, or mixing. I will share exceptional tracks and explain what I like about them so much.
It is one thing to write a song, another to perform it well, and a completely separate task to arrange and produce the final version of it. Every step is equally important and must not be overlooked.
I must immediately say that on my playlists, I accept tracks with varied production values. It is the overall impression that matters to me the most. Thus, when you read about my excitement caused by awesome production solutions, do not think that I’d be snobbish when reviewing your music submissions. Not at all. I just like to pay close attention to various aspects of music creation and chose to speak about production in this particular post.
News:
I’m happy to announce the inauguration of the music production space. The first two talents featured are Kevin Moquin and Santiago Estrada.
Kevin recorded and mixed all of my music, and I highly recommend his services. Needless to say, it was a great pleasure to compose and play alongside him on these records.
Santiago reached out to me on Instagram, offering his mastering services. I sent him a couple of tracks, and he did a fantastic job. He’s very friendly and receptive.
Both of these guys are highly professional, yet humble and a real pleasure to work with.
Go check them out!
https://singingofthesoul.com/music-production-space
Music Picks:
Catch Me by JES [#65 on Top Pop Music]:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/38lCqICoibyXTy5BjwiGSP
This silky-smooth mix is balanced remarkably well. The levels are adjusted to perfection, and the right amount of compression leaves enough dynamic range to convey the emotion of the song. The transparency is exceptional. JES is among my favorite producers. Her music is a great example of how it must be done.
The Fool by No New Lovers [#90 on Top Pop Music]:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/38lCqICoibyXTy5BjwiGSP
Although the balance and transparency are great here as well, I mostly admire the arrangements, with parts coming in and out seamlessly, creating a very dynamic listening experience where you cannot easily anticipate the next thing that will happen. It holds the listener’s attention beautifully and makes you want to listen to the song on repeat.
To the End of the World by LIL XRIS [#22 on the Night Rock playlist]:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2UMFjDZcRj6Cue45cC7LDJ
Although styled like an anthemic rock composition, it is not overcompressed, which is necessary to communicate the emotion rather than to blow the listener away with the power of the sound. The mix is well-balanced, and the mastering is exceptional, providing a loud yet clean sound. The vocals are right up front, yet they are not overpowering the music, nor do they hide behind it. This is the kind of example where a production error could ruin the whole thing easily. I am so glad that the artist and their team did not forget anything and paid great attention to detail.
Holy Hubris by Lennart Jansen [#141 on the New Rock Talents playlist]:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ZPhHNKfVHA2PTZMkg8NoW
Aside from the beautiful performance, I admire most the exceptional and unmatched transparency of the mix.
Undressed by Jaguar on Mars [#109 on New Rock Talents]:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ZPhHNKfVHA2PTZMkg8NoW
An awesome example of the use of big, roomy drums. What a great choice for this song! As a result, the bass comes out often, then returns to bring more intensity in.
Trouble by ini Kamoze [#74 on Happy Reggae]:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1eLPo5wCe9tHTsnDPqvFQf
The drum effects are so wicked that they form the central element of the arrangement. Along with the well-contrasting vocals and the skanking guitar, this seemingly simple composition provides a fantastic listening experience. Notice how the bass stays chill and supportive—it has to, with drums this prominent. A truly standout mix!
Steamers a Bubble by Jah9 [#9 on Happy Reggae]:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1eLPo5wCe9tHTsnDPqvFQf
Here, it is the opposite. The bass is very prominent and leads the conversation. And this bass riff is clearly the DNA of this whole composition.
Boom (Wah da da Deng) by Hempress Sativa [#11 on Happy Reggae]:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1eLPo5wCe9tHTsnDPqvFQf
This gem has a phenomenal, balanced interaction between the bass and the drums. There is a measured use of the dub and electronic elements. They add a beautiful modern feel and bring the energy levels up. The effect on the bass is something special.
Final Thoughts:
As you can see from the examples I selected, I like when the mix is balanced. Yet, I readily agree with the artists when they choose to keep the mix off-balance to convey emotion or emphasize the song’s message through the sonic experience. It works beautifully sometimes. I also think that the best production results are achieved when the artists and sound engineers work together, searching for the unique sound that will make the music stand out. Although it can be a long and even painful process, it is just as important as songwriting and recording. Let me know if you agree. And if you can think of more examples of outstanding music production, I’d appreciate it if you send them to me.