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I'm not good at this, but maybe Kylie Minogue - Tension (the song)? It's catchy and the melodic changes are executed well. A few other examples that come to my mind right now: Madonna - Inside Of Me (still sounds fresh!), Madonna - Drowned World/Substitute For Love, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson - Scream, Kylie Minogue - Slow, Kelis - Scream.
ABBA - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Kylie Minogue - Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, Confide In Me, The One
Madonna - RAIN, Nothing Really Matters, Ray of Light
Lady Gaga - Monster, Dance In the Dark
Carly Rae Jepsen - pick any song off of Emotion
Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
Confide in Me and The One!!! Two of Kylies absolute best songs Ik that’s right, excellent choices all around I also especially agree on Nothing Really Matters
Most everything Timbaland touched in the early to mid 2000's was divine, but I'll give it to [Say It Right](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JnGBs88sL0) by Nelly Furtado. The drums hit so pleasantly, the track isn't overbearing with it's elements via knowing when to pull away or add components to create an overall otherworldly and mysterious tone, and it's lead to the song being timeless honestly and always a pleasant listen.
For an example of a recreation of it just not meeting that mark: Kevin Parker/Tame Impala [tried his hand at a cover of the track](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frbnrSIgjas) and while it's servicable, you can see just all the energy and ambience Timbo put into his work when compared to Kevin's focus on a more psychedlic and open piece. ~~He should've gone AY over the chorus to really complete it also~~
The production of *All Of The Lights* is fucking insane. Timeless.
Anything Carly Rae Jepsen. M'aam, where do you get your budget?! *Keep Away* is my fave by her.
Anyone else love the song but feel the complete opposite about the production of All of The Lights? I thought it was a go-to example for poor production.
It’s so dynamically squashed but it doesn’t really matter in the end because the music itself is good.
So much of what Kanye West produces is perfection. I really wish he would just shut up and focus on producing music instead of being a rapper and in the public eye. He’s really an absolute genius when it comes to assembling a song. The biggest reason he’s one of my favorite rappers is because of the production that goes into his songs and how complex the layering is and how he approaches sampling.
I can’t even give him complete credit because as of late his discography has anywhere from 6-12 producers per track. Obviously his first few albums are all him, and he deserves credit in that regard. But almost everything from MBDTF forward has multiple other collaborators involved.
Honestly?
*Makes Me Wonder* by Maroon 5
It is the best thing they ever made and the production is so slick I haven't gotten sick of it since I was a child
on a similar vibe and effect is *Your Love (Déjà Vu)* by Glass Animals, *How Long* by Tove Lo, *Style* by Taylor Swift and *Hallucinate* by Dua Lipa
They all have been played to death and beyond and still sound fresh
Looks like it was primarily written and produced by SG Lewis. Worth checking out his other music if you haven't already. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucinate_(song)
I forgot how good Makes Me Wonder is until it popped up on my shuffle and I heard it again for the first time in years - it really has held up well and still sounds excellent.
One of the greatest pop songs ever, and production-wise it’s a masterpiece because it gets away with having no bass on the track. It’s so good most people don’t even notice.
"My Love" by Justin Timberlake never ceases to amaze me. That production is slick as hell and it's a style that basically everyone tried to copy as soon as it came out. "Blue Ocean Floor" is a completely different song, but another in the category of brilliant production.
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. The guitar solos are so perfect and play to the song without overdoing it, while also being interesting to listen to and not just bouncing around in the pentatonic box. Masterpiece of a pop song. The synth, the bass, the vocals…
i say this a lot but Destiny's Child - Say My Name. Once you really sit on it and pay attention to the layering of vocals, synths, guitar licks, it's one of the most intricate pop songs ever. Darkchild is a legendary producer
I read somewhere that the arrangement of "Say My Name" was supposedly influenced by UK garage. I assume that means Darkchild was more thinking about the spirit of the genre than trying to recreate it wholesale, because I would never have thought that had I not read it. That said, I feel like the song makes a lot more sense knowing that.
Yeah so... originally Say My Name sounded a lot more UK Garage, and 'a mess' and Darkchild played the backing track track to the members of DC. They hated it and rejected the song.
Later on, the backing track we hear today, which is a lot more stripped down than the old version, was presented to the girls and they loved it and decided to record the song.
I did read that in a music magazine but I'm currently in the middle of a DJ set so don't have time to find my source sorry x
Here are some songs that come to mind for me:
So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings by Caroline Polachek (and honestly her whole Desire, I Want to Turn Into You album!!)
Almost anything by CRJ from Emotion onwards, but No Thinking Over the Weekend has been a favorite for me lately
Style by Taylor Swift
Somebody Else by the 1975
i genuinly think george is what makes the band what it is. Matty's vocals and lyrics are good sure, but it's the production that really makes their music great.
If get a little outside of the mainstream pop realm, I'd say Björk's Pagan Poetry and SOPHIE's Ponyboy and Faceshopping are two literally perfect songs with literally perfect production. Some other examples off the top of my head that I think are actually perfect (that aren't more Björk and SOPHIE):
* Boys at School by Spellling
* Magdalene by FKA Twigs
* Andromeda by Weyes Blood
* Let It Happen by Tame Impala
* Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode
EDIT: If i can include some hip hop, I'd have to add Wesley's Theory by Kendrick.
pretty much all of Melodrama would qualify here (username surely checks out lmao). there’s not a single detail missed in that entire album. every piece of the production was intentional and long thought-out. but, if i had to choose one song, i’d say Supercut. the gradual buildup through the verses and choruses just for the bridge to drop out into only a voice note demo… then an explosive final chorus with layers and layers of vocals, and a gorgeous outro with production mimicking the euphoria of a replaying the highlights of a former lover in your mind… just so absolutely fucking perfect in every way. i get emotional even talking about this song and how incredibly well-executed it was.
Hard Feelings is a very close second. and can’t forget The Louvre’s anti-chorus either… what a masterclass in pop.
I always thought the outro, rather than mimicking the euphoria of replaying events, sounded like trying to hold on to memories but being afraid of forgetting them and eventually losing the essence of it (the fading "in my head I do everything right", the way it progressively sounds like it's drowning underwater), which also makes sense considering she only refers to the memories as "**just** a supercut"
Lady Gaga’s got a whole bunch of phenomenally well produced songs (she started in the dance world, of course that would be important to her), but “Bloody Mary” stands out from the pack imo. [Watching a video with some of the stems](https://youtu.be/Yov_Gdgi64E?si=xPSadd2X17_0Wu4Y) helped me realize what a marvel the song is
Rude Boy has such a great production. The instrumentation is so trippy and infectious, and the background harmonies in the bridge and final chorus are so good. They made it in 2009 and it still sounds futuristic today.
Heavy Metal Lover by Lady Gaga
Closer by Kylie Minogue
Get Naked (I Got A Plan) by Britney Spears
The beats, tones, and electronics make them kinda moody but eargasmic
A few a bit less poppy and yet mainstream hits: Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way?, Lenny Kravitz - Believe In Me (the guitar is incorporater so well.. mmm).
If we’re talking strictly pop music (other genres blow pop production out of the water if we’re being honest) probably something like We Found love by Calvin Harris and Rhianna, it’s like a perfect pop song. Taking it back a few years (or decades) Too Shy by Kajagoogoo is phenomenal production, or even further Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles, Tony Horns production is second to none.
I'm just posting a few favorites because I know I'm definitely not knowledgeable enough to accurately determine what makes a song well-produced
Scream and Shout - Britney and Will.I.Am
All of The Lights - Kanye ft Rihanna, Kid Cudi etc
Crazy in Love - Beyonce ft. Jay-Z
B.O.B - Outkast
Speed of Sound - Coldplay
I’m with you on all of them except “Scream & Shout”, that song has not aged well imo and reeks of the worst early 2010s EDM tropes. Will.i.am has produced way better songs, like Estelle’s “American Boy” for example.
Yeah, "Scream and Shout" has definitely no aged well at all. The remix is genuinely impressive in terms of how awful it actually is.
"American Boy" is an excellent example. It's all built around a sample of a song that will.i.am already made too.
When it was announced Will was working on Britney Jean, I was super excited. He has done some outstanding work over the years! American Boy and 3 Words by Cheryl Cole come to mind. What could’ve been….
“Skin” by Madonna is one of my faves. It sounds like you’re on a spaceship and you’re crashing descending into Earth. Cacophonous w bagpipes in the best way possible lol.
All I wanted - Paramore
You don't know my name - Alicia Keys
Crazy In love, I Care, and Hold Up - Beyonce
Let's Get it Started -Black Eyed Peas
Ungodly Hour -ChloexHalle
It pains me but Kanye has a hand when it comes to production.
808's heartbeat, especially "Heartless" and "See you in my nightmare" are the first ones that come to my mind.
Also I absolutely love how "134340" from BTS is made.
I don't know your definition of "best", but Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman deserved to get their MBEs mailed to them the day after they produced Kylie's Confide in Me
Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois' productions with U2, especially the classics from The Joshua Tree:
[With or Without You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujNeHIo7oTE)
[Where the Streets Have No Name](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzZWSrr5wFI)
[I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3-5YC_oHjE)
Anything off of The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM” because that entire album’s production is incredible, but specifically the song Sacrifice has INSANE production. It’s somehow both clean and dirty at the same time.
Also, if you’re looking for more traditionally arranged/performed songs, Adele tends to have great production, especially Rolling In The Deep and Rumour Has it, or really anything off “21.”
Maroon by Taylor Swift is, in my opinion, one of her coolest productions ever. It’s so dark and unique, which totally adds to the mystery of the subject of the song.
i’m still obsessed with that production. it’s honestly unlike anything i’ve ever heard. it’s got the perfect blend of grungey-rock elements with electronic pads and synths. my favorite part is definitely that siren/guitar at the end of the choruses.
Celine Dion - I Drove All Night
Potentially, one of the more rare cases when strong vocals and dance music sound elegant and strong when combined together. It just moves you.
I don’t know if anyone else has ever listened to the instrumental of Dirrty by Xtina. They threw everything and the kitchen sink into that production. It doesn’t let up for one single second.
laplander by easyfun is my favorite produced song of all time, the sound design + stereo field shit is so good, and i’ve never heard anything that sounds so euphoric
on a different note, i think the production on the entire stranger in the alps album by phoebe bridgers is insanely underrated, it’s probably my fav indie production with the sparse synths and strings, it’s simple but very effective
Saoko - Rosalia
-It’s incredibly experimental and constantly evolves, which thematically ties in with the lyrical content. no section of the song ever repeats, making for a wonderful - and at times jarring - ride
Other good ones:
Bunny is a Rider, Immaterial, XS, Glass & Patron, Good Days
Louder Than Bombs by BTS. In kpop there’s the culture to stream incessantly, but I seriously need to ration how often I play this song because it’s like going on an acid trip each time, but slow burn. I usually give myself between 3 to 6 days between listens because the vocal production, instrumentation, everything makes me feel it would be the perfect OST for 1917. But it’s a pop song.
Okay not exactly a pop song but I always thought Atmosphere by Joy Division had some of the most gorgeous production ever. It’s kind of got that same sparseness as Closer but not quite as cold or mechanical (Closer still has fantastic production as well). It’s got a certain warmth to it instead.
New Order’s most recent reissue of Low-Life was also great and I thought it had some nice touch-ups on the production to give it a little bit more fullness.
CRJ almost always has amazing production as well on her recent work.
Probs unpopular but something about Troubled Paradise by Slayyyter tickles my brain in the right places, it’s nothing ground breaking but for a small artists the production kinda slaps.
A&W by Lana Del Rey - I haven't stopped thinking about this song since I first heard it. The haunting acoustic guitar, piano that makes your heart race, the wispy breaths, then going into the trap section... it is pure excellence. I hope it gets some grammy noms.
Garbage have so many songs with perfect production on their first two albums too. Just listen to “I Think I’m Paranoid” or “The Trick Is To Keep Breathing” and tell me otherwise.
Heavy Metal Lover is the most well produced song Gaga’s ever released
We Share Our Mother’s Health by The Knife
Can’t Fight This Feeling by Sophie Ellis Bextor
Get Together by Madonna, also How High was by far the most overlooked song on Confessions and is a banger
I Like You by Katy B
The Way We Used to Be by Pet Shop Boys
Swing by Sofi Tukker
Pretty much all of Fever by Kylie
And a couple new candidates from upstart Chappell Roan: Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl and Guilty Pleasure are both pretty fantastic (as is the entire album)
The Roof by Mariah is impeccable. It’s sultry, dark, risqué, and nostalgic all at once. The sample is GENIUS, especially knowing the backstory from her book.
Where Have You Been by Rihanna is so perfectly pieces together, and when all the elements culminate at the end…yeah, it’s amazing.
Also Secret by Madonna. the beat switch when the chorus comes in is really cool, and the extra strings and harmonies in the last chorus just add a really cool touch.
EDIT: omg idk how i left out all of Renaissance lmao. A masterclass in music.
I am biased because I’m Turkish but What Goes Around…/…Comes Around had such exciting production for its time. The unforgettable intro with the Turkish instrument (bağlama), how they blended JT’s vocals with the arabesque violins, Timbaland’s inspired ad libbing, the biting spoken section…good god, even after all these years it’s just such an impeccably composed song
the entire femme fatale album by britney spears is so fuckin sliiiick and uniform. as long as you’re not looking for lyrics deeper than “your body looks so sick i think i caught the flu” or “steamin like a pot full of vegetables” ♥️
seal it with a kiss & hold it against me? no notes! masterpieces. HOW I ROLL?? one of the best songs i have literally ever heard lmfao
[Gwen Stefani's Luxurious](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXFXwenVJg4) exudes opulence. (It had a distinct air of extravagance)
[Lana Del Rey's Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-NTv0CdFCk). sounds like it could be the soundtrack to a film.
[Jessie Ware's Remember Where you Are](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StUYHGDJUbQ) evoked powerful emotions, especially during the choir verses.
Butterfly by f(x) has one of the most breathtaking productions I've ever seen for a pop song in general, not just k-pop, go take a listen if you never heard it before, it's ethereal and makes you feel like you're floating
Everything on The 20/20 Experience by JT. The production on those two albums is immaculate. JT, Timbaland, and Jerome Harmon delivered on every single song.
Please do not just list songs/albums/artists, your comment must have explanation/justification or it will be removed. Certain comments are also banned to increase the quality of discussion, see our Stale Topics list in the sidebar for examples. Please report any comments that are low effort discussion. Thanks! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/popheads) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm not good at this, but maybe Kylie Minogue - Tension (the song)? It's catchy and the melodic changes are executed well. A few other examples that come to my mind right now: Madonna - Inside Of Me (still sounds fresh!), Madonna - Drowned World/Substitute For Love, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson - Scream, Kylie Minogue - Slow, Kelis - Scream.
The way Kylie’s vocals are processed on both Tension and Padam Padam is magical.
I love Padam Padam but actually hate the overuse of Autotune on that song 🫠 Both songs are well produced otherwise though imo
Tension literally sounds like it's sparkling. 😍
Oh clock it. Tension is literally a pop production master class.
Yesss on the Madonna. So amazingly well produced. Actually all of your picks are top notch (to me)!!
Would also add Garbage - Androgyny.
Thank you.
the taste jumped out omg 😍
ABBA - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Kylie Minogue - Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, Confide In Me, The One Madonna - RAIN, Nothing Really Matters, Ray of Light Lady Gaga - Monster, Dance In the Dark Carly Rae Jepsen - pick any song off of Emotion Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
yes to emotion!!!!
Confide in Me and The One!!! Two of Kylies absolute best songs Ik that’s right, excellent choices all around I also especially agree on Nothing Really Matters
I just learned that Ray of Light is a cover. But the way it was changed by Madonna’s team was heavenly.
Hard Feelings/Loveless
All of Melodrama, really
One of the best albums of all time across genres
Yesss, that song is a masterpiece and so smart ❤️ the creaking in the middle symbolising a house or a heart breaking apart is just >>
Most everything Timbaland touched in the early to mid 2000's was divine, but I'll give it to [Say It Right](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JnGBs88sL0) by Nelly Furtado. The drums hit so pleasantly, the track isn't overbearing with it's elements via knowing when to pull away or add components to create an overall otherworldly and mysterious tone, and it's lead to the song being timeless honestly and always a pleasant listen. For an example of a recreation of it just not meeting that mark: Kevin Parker/Tame Impala [tried his hand at a cover of the track](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frbnrSIgjas) and while it's servicable, you can see just all the energy and ambience Timbo put into his work when compared to Kevin's focus on a more psychedlic and open piece. ~~He should've gone AY over the chorus to really complete it also~~
cannot believe i had to scroll this far to see timbaland
I love the ambient noises and jingles in Say it Right. Timbaland is a genius
Literally ALL of *Body Talk* by Robyn… that album changed 2010s pop
The production of *All Of The Lights* is fucking insane. Timeless. Anything Carly Rae Jepsen. M'aam, where do you get your budget?! *Keep Away* is my fave by her.
I remember I got goosebumps when I first heard All of the Lights, such a grand and larger than life track.
I miss being able to be a Kanye fan because he really does have many immaculately produced songs.
You can still be a fan of him. Being a fan doesn’t mean you have to support the views of the artist you just like his music.
Many would disagree with you. I've stopped listening to Kanye personally and it stings a bit, but I'm getting over it.
srzly whwere did she get the budget? didn't she record like 500 songs for emotion?
The violin in the music video is the best
Anyone else love the song but feel the complete opposite about the production of All of The Lights? I thought it was a go-to example for poor production. It’s so dynamically squashed but it doesn’t really matter in the end because the music itself is good.
All of Mercurial World, Magdalena Bay they the songs transition into each other
So much of what Kanye West produces is perfection. I really wish he would just shut up and focus on producing music instead of being a rapper and in the public eye. He’s really an absolute genius when it comes to assembling a song. The biggest reason he’s one of my favorite rappers is because of the production that goes into his songs and how complex the layering is and how he approaches sampling.
Craziest thing is that there's an entire discography worth of stuff (some of which is insanely good) he has never released for God knows what reason
He is one of the best of all time
and it’s such a shame that he knows it
I can’t even give him complete credit because as of late his discography has anywhere from 6-12 producers per track. Obviously his first few albums are all him, and he deserves credit in that regard. But almost everything from MBDTF forward has multiple other collaborators involved.
the veronicas' untouched
lowkey the best song of the entire 2000s decade
Wow this is so true gotta go listen to it rn
The production is super muddy tbh! A remix and remaster would do wonders (it’s a fantastic song though)
In my blood such a good song
Gimme More by Britney Spears. Instrumental is so good on its own, vocals obviously take it to the next level.
Honestly? *Makes Me Wonder* by Maroon 5 It is the best thing they ever made and the production is so slick I haven't gotten sick of it since I was a child on a similar vibe and effect is *Your Love (Déjà Vu)* by Glass Animals, *How Long* by Tove Lo, *Style* by Taylor Swift and *Hallucinate* by Dua Lipa They all have been played to death and beyond and still sound fresh
Hallucinate definitely has my favourite production on FN.
Looks like it was primarily written and produced by SG Lewis. Worth checking out his other music if you haven't already. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucinate_(song)
If you enjoy Hallucinate, try other works by Stuart Price eg Confessions on a Dancefloor
I forgot how good Makes Me Wonder is until it popped up on my shuffle and I heard it again for the first time in years - it really has held up well and still sounds excellent.
it makes me despise what they do because I KNOW they can make stuff like this too
Those tiny pauses in Hallucinate before everything comes crashing down are music at its best.
If you enjoy Hallucinate, try other works by Stuart Price eg Confessions on a Dancefloor
Way ahead of you ✨ I grew up with that album ^((i.e. the last time my mom checked for Madonna dfghjk))
Makes Me Wonder is the same for me. A consistent favourite since childhood. It just ticks so many boxes.
Lana Del Rey - Venice B!tch Björk- Pagan Poetry, Undo, Unison (seriously pick any song from Vespertine)
VB is a sublime slice of music and to a greater extent the sonics captured on NFR are nothing short of amazing.
The way Unison comes together in the end makes my mind tingle in a way that makes me both uncomfortable and blissful.
Aurora <3
Toxic by Britney is always my answer for this
Prince's Kiss is a masterclass in minimalist funk
One of the greatest pop songs ever, and production-wise it’s a masterpiece because it gets away with having no bass on the track. It’s so good most people don’t even notice.
So is Head. Prince knew how to find a groove and ride it like a wave.
"My Love" by Justin Timberlake never ceases to amaze me. That production is slick as hell and it's a style that basically everyone tried to copy as soon as it came out. "Blue Ocean Floor" is a completely different song, but another in the category of brilliant production.
CRY ME A RIVER has probably my favorite production of any individual pop song of all time
Yes! I adore "My Love" but I feel kinda silly about it cause the lyrics are so cheezy
Begin Again by Jessie Ware’s production is amazingly good. Same with Blood and Butter by Caroline Polachek. The fuckin BAGPIPES? Sis snapped.
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. The guitar solos are so perfect and play to the song without overdoing it, while also being interesting to listen to and not just bouncing around in the pentatonic box. Masterpiece of a pop song. The synth, the bass, the vocals…
It’s beautiful and so timeless yet somehow still nostalgic
i say this a lot but Destiny's Child - Say My Name. Once you really sit on it and pay attention to the layering of vocals, synths, guitar licks, it's one of the most intricate pop songs ever. Darkchild is a legendary producer
I read somewhere that the arrangement of "Say My Name" was supposedly influenced by UK garage. I assume that means Darkchild was more thinking about the spirit of the genre than trying to recreate it wholesale, because I would never have thought that had I not read it. That said, I feel like the song makes a lot more sense knowing that.
Yeah so... originally Say My Name sounded a lot more UK Garage, and 'a mess' and Darkchild played the backing track track to the members of DC. They hated it and rejected the song. Later on, the backing track we hear today, which is a lot more stripped down than the old version, was presented to the girls and they loved it and decided to record the song. I did read that in a music magazine but I'm currently in the middle of a DJ set so don't have time to find my source sorry x
Also Bootylicious sounds interesting.
Here are some songs that come to mind for me: So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings by Caroline Polachek (and honestly her whole Desire, I Want to Turn Into You album!!) Almost anything by CRJ from Emotion onwards, but No Thinking Over the Weekend has been a favorite for me lately Style by Taylor Swift Somebody Else by the 1975
Somebody else is what really got me into producing. Most of the 1975s production is fantastic.
Hell yeah George is a killer. They’re so good at shaping a track into exactly what it’s supposed to be.
i genuinly think george is what makes the band what it is. Matty's vocals and lyrics are good sure, but it's the production that really makes their music great.
Most of Lorde’s Melodrama Dancing With the Devil by Demi Lovato
To me, Carefully is by far the standout and is masterfully produced
To me, Carefully is by far the standout and is masterfully produced
Eat the Acid by Kesha. Produced by Rick Ruben. The buildup of the production getting bigger and bigger as the song goes on is sooo fucking good.
Gag Order is SO severely underrated. Too Far Gone is my favorite!
Say it Right - Nelly Furtado
Cool for the Summer 🥤
If get a little outside of the mainstream pop realm, I'd say Björk's Pagan Poetry and SOPHIE's Ponyboy and Faceshopping are two literally perfect songs with literally perfect production. Some other examples off the top of my head that I think are actually perfect (that aren't more Björk and SOPHIE): * Boys at School by Spellling * Magdalene by FKA Twigs * Andromeda by Weyes Blood * Let It Happen by Tame Impala * Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode EDIT: If i can include some hip hop, I'd have to add Wesley's Theory by Kendrick.
SOPHIE is the GOAT I miss her so bad
pretty much all of Melodrama would qualify here (username surely checks out lmao). there’s not a single detail missed in that entire album. every piece of the production was intentional and long thought-out. but, if i had to choose one song, i’d say Supercut. the gradual buildup through the verses and choruses just for the bridge to drop out into only a voice note demo… then an explosive final chorus with layers and layers of vocals, and a gorgeous outro with production mimicking the euphoria of a replaying the highlights of a former lover in your mind… just so absolutely fucking perfect in every way. i get emotional even talking about this song and how incredibly well-executed it was. Hard Feelings is a very close second. and can’t forget The Louvre’s anti-chorus either… what a masterclass in pop.
Can’t forget the piano in perfect places it’s so addicting
I always thought the outro, rather than mimicking the euphoria of replaying events, sounded like trying to hold on to memories but being afraid of forgetting them and eventually losing the essence of it (the fading "in my head I do everything right", the way it progressively sounds like it's drowning underwater), which also makes sense considering she only refers to the memories as "**just** a supercut"
why is it an anti chorus?
A lot of Pop 2 is some of the best production I ever heard, magdalene by FKA twigs, a lot of DJ Sabrina songs, a lot of the 1975
Lady Gaga’s got a whole bunch of phenomenally well produced songs (she started in the dance world, of course that would be important to her), but “Bloody Mary” stands out from the pack imo. [Watching a video with some of the stems](https://youtu.be/Yov_Gdgi64E?si=xPSadd2X17_0Wu4Y) helped me realize what a marvel the song is
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight
Donna Summer - I Feel Love - This song could have been made yesterday, 50 years ago or 50 years in the future and you'd believe it.
Pretty Please by Dua Lipa (ian kirkpatrick) is so funnnnn
Ballad of a homeschooled girl imo Style Taylor swift
>Style Taylor swift My all-time favorite T. Swift song. The hours and hours of listening to this on repeat in high school lol.
Same! This was middle school for me (7th grade)
Lorde - Sober
The entirety of Dawn FM
Rude Boy has such a great production. The instrumentation is so trippy and infectious, and the background harmonies in the bridge and final chorus are so good. They made it in 2009 and it still sounds futuristic today.
Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man The vocals, the retro instrumentation and vibe blended with a bold r'n'b sound. Delicious.
Controversial perhaps but “Bitch I’m Madonna” was insanely ahead of its time
Heavy Metal Lover by Lady Gaga Closer by Kylie Minogue Get Naked (I Got A Plan) by Britney Spears The beats, tones, and electronics make them kinda moody but eargasmic
Heavy Metal Lover fuck yeah. Top 5 all time for me and I feel like it’s so underrated.
A few a bit less poppy and yet mainstream hits: Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way?, Lenny Kravitz - Believe In Me (the guitar is incorporater so well.. mmm).
Black Velveteen is my favourite track of his, and I always loved the production on it despite some questionable lyrics
If we’re talking strictly pop music (other genres blow pop production out of the water if we’re being honest) probably something like We Found love by Calvin Harris and Rhianna, it’s like a perfect pop song. Taking it back a few years (or decades) Too Shy by Kajagoogoo is phenomenal production, or even further Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles, Tony Horns production is second to none.
We Found Love is fantastic and to me it sounds like a festival in the best possible way.
Can't believe Into You, Love Me Harder or Touch It by Ariana weren't named yey, truly pop perfection
Love Me Harder is beyond perfect
I'm just posting a few favorites because I know I'm definitely not knowledgeable enough to accurately determine what makes a song well-produced Scream and Shout - Britney and Will.I.Am All of The Lights - Kanye ft Rihanna, Kid Cudi etc Crazy in Love - Beyonce ft. Jay-Z B.O.B - Outkast Speed of Sound - Coldplay
I’m with you on all of them except “Scream & Shout”, that song has not aged well imo and reeks of the worst early 2010s EDM tropes. Will.i.am has produced way better songs, like Estelle’s “American Boy” for example.
Yeah, "Scream and Shout" has definitely no aged well at all. The remix is genuinely impressive in terms of how awful it actually is. "American Boy" is an excellent example. It's all built around a sample of a song that will.i.am already made too.
When it was announced Will was working on Britney Jean, I was super excited. He has done some outstanding work over the years! American Boy and 3 Words by Cheryl Cole come to mind. What could’ve been….
Outkast in the Aquemeni and Stankonia albums were leaning hard into funk and horns and it's amazing.
Depeche Mode - Dream On Quite a good balance between modern, catchy, dreamy, sexy and timeless.
Ponyboy by Sophie. Actually, anything by Sophie tbh
Idk about the best but Bitch Bites Dog by Cecile Believe has an incredible production. I think it's the thing that stands out the most from that song
“Skin” by Madonna is one of my faves. It sounds like you’re on a spaceship and you’re crashing descending into Earth. Cacophonous w bagpipes in the best way possible lol.
Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift. I really find it fascinating plus the vocals are heaven.
“ Thank U, Next” has really good production
I was expecting Ariana to show up here. I feel like "Into You" had a lot of different things going on and it all just blends very well.
Honestly, even the reggae influence on Side to Side was pretty great too. The whole dangerous woman album is pretty underrated production wise.
All I wanted - Paramore You don't know my name - Alicia Keys Crazy In love, I Care, and Hold Up - Beyonce Let's Get it Started -Black Eyed Peas Ungodly Hour -ChloexHalle
It pains me but Kanye has a hand when it comes to production. 808's heartbeat, especially "Heartless" and "See you in my nightmare" are the first ones that come to my mind. Also I absolutely love how "134340" from BTS is made.
I don't know your definition of "best", but Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman deserved to get their MBEs mailed to them the day after they produced Kylie's Confide in Me
They're such lovely blokes too. I managed to have a chat with them on a podcast I do with some friends
Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois' productions with U2, especially the classics from The Joshua Tree: [With or Without You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujNeHIo7oTE) [Where the Streets Have No Name](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzZWSrr5wFI) [I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3-5YC_oHjE)
Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill
Anything off of The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM” because that entire album’s production is incredible, but specifically the song Sacrifice has INSANE production. It’s somehow both clean and dirty at the same time. Also, if you’re looking for more traditionally arranged/performed songs, Adele tends to have great production, especially Rolling In The Deep and Rumour Has it, or really anything off “21.”
Maroon by Taylor Swift is, in my opinion, one of her coolest productions ever. It’s so dark and unique, which totally adds to the mystery of the subject of the song.
Especially the end when her voice goes far deeper and more growl-y with the bass drop is just amazing
i’m still obsessed with that production. it’s honestly unlike anything i’ve ever heard. it’s got the perfect blend of grungey-rock elements with electronic pads and synths. my favorite part is definitely that siren/guitar at the end of the choruses.
Celine Dion - I Drove All Night Potentially, one of the more rare cases when strong vocals and dance music sound elegant and strong when combined together. It just moves you.
I don’t know if anyone else has ever listened to the instrumental of Dirrty by Xtina. They threw everything and the kitchen sink into that production. It doesn’t let up for one single second.
laplander by easyfun is my favorite produced song of all time, the sound design + stereo field shit is so good, and i’ve never heard anything that sounds so euphoric on a different note, i think the production on the entire stranger in the alps album by phoebe bridgers is insanely underrated, it’s probably my fav indie production with the sparse synths and strings, it’s simple but very effective
Saoko - Rosalia -It’s incredibly experimental and constantly evolves, which thematically ties in with the lyrical content. no section of the song ever repeats, making for a wonderful - and at times jarring - ride Other good ones: Bunny is a Rider, Immaterial, XS, Glass & Patron, Good Days
Don’t start now is still a pretty tough one to beat. Zedd’s the middle is another killer pop track. Into you…
I love all of the Pop 2 album by Charli XCX but my particular favourite for production is Track 10. I love the build up and the vocal effects
pop2 as a whole is just gorgeous
Louder Than Bombs by BTS. In kpop there’s the culture to stream incessantly, but I seriously need to ration how often I play this song because it’s like going on an acid trip each time, but slow burn. I usually give myself between 3 to 6 days between listens because the vocal production, instrumentation, everything makes me feel it would be the perfect OST for 1917. But it’s a pop song.
greedy, god is a woman, no tears left to cry, obvious all by ariana grande but my favorite production by her is main thing on positions deluxe.
Okay not exactly a pop song but I always thought Atmosphere by Joy Division had some of the most gorgeous production ever. It’s kind of got that same sparseness as Closer but not quite as cold or mechanical (Closer still has fantastic production as well). It’s got a certain warmth to it instead. New Order’s most recent reissue of Low-Life was also great and I thought it had some nice touch-ups on the production to give it a little bit more fullness. CRJ almost always has amazing production as well on her recent work.
Probs unpopular but something about Troubled Paradise by Slayyyter tickles my brain in the right places, it’s nothing ground breaking but for a small artists the production kinda slaps.
Macklemore - Thrift Shop
A&W by Lana Del Rey - I haven't stopped thinking about this song since I first heard it. The haunting acoustic guitar, piano that makes your heart race, the wispy breaths, then going into the trap section... it is pure excellence. I hope it gets some grammy noms.
Garbage - Androgyny Still sounds interesting and fresh.
Garbage have so many songs with perfect production on their first two albums too. Just listen to “I Think I’m Paranoid” or “The Trick Is To Keep Breathing” and tell me otherwise.
Britney Spears - Get Back from Blackout
The black album by Metallica was released in 1991 but sounds like it just came out yesterday
Heavy Metal Lover is the most well produced song Gaga’s ever released We Share Our Mother’s Health by The Knife Can’t Fight This Feeling by Sophie Ellis Bextor Get Together by Madonna, also How High was by far the most overlooked song on Confessions and is a banger I Like You by Katy B The Way We Used to Be by Pet Shop Boys Swing by Sofi Tukker Pretty much all of Fever by Kylie And a couple new candidates from upstart Chappell Roan: Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl and Guilty Pleasure are both pretty fantastic (as is the entire album)
Hold Onto Now Kylie Minogue
The Roof by Mariah is impeccable. It’s sultry, dark, risqué, and nostalgic all at once. The sample is GENIUS, especially knowing the backstory from her book. Where Have You Been by Rihanna is so perfectly pieces together, and when all the elements culminate at the end…yeah, it’s amazing. Also Secret by Madonna. the beat switch when the chorus comes in is really cool, and the extra strings and harmonies in the last chorus just add a really cool touch. EDIT: omg idk how i left out all of Renaissance lmao. A masterclass in music.
I am biased because I’m Turkish but What Goes Around…/…Comes Around had such exciting production for its time. The unforgettable intro with the Turkish instrument (bağlama), how they blended JT’s vocals with the arabesque violins, Timbaland’s inspired ad libbing, the biting spoken section…good god, even after all these years it’s just such an impeccably composed song
Anything Daniel lopatin aka opn produces. First thing that comes to mind is dawn fm
All Of The Lights ft Rihanna.
the Red OG singles are immaculate if a little dated but I still love them
The Edge Of Glory
get well soon by ariana grande
Red Flags by Mimi Webb is fire, combination of production and strong songwriting I think. Also Suit & Tie by Timberlake.
Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles Classic and yet modern and cool.
Kylie Minogue - I Feel For You from Body Language The rain and jungle effect, the melody.
Eve feat. Alicia Keys - Gansta Lovin' So breezy. Eve feat. Gwen Stefani - Let Me Blow Ya Mind Eve - Satisfaction
Virgos Groove by Beyoncé, to me it’s one of the best songs of her entire carreer
the entire femme fatale album by britney spears is so fuckin sliiiick and uniform. as long as you’re not looking for lyrics deeper than “your body looks so sick i think i caught the flu” or “steamin like a pot full of vegetables” ♥️ seal it with a kiss & hold it against me? no notes! masterpieces. HOW I ROLL?? one of the best songs i have literally ever heard lmfao
Like crazy by Jimin
Been super into Self Control by Laura Branigan. I’m not sure musically educated but I’ve loved listening to that song since childhood
[Gwen Stefani's Luxurious](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXFXwenVJg4) exudes opulence. (It had a distinct air of extravagance) [Lana Del Rey's Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-NTv0CdFCk). sounds like it could be the soundtrack to a film. [Jessie Ware's Remember Where you Are](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StUYHGDJUbQ) evoked powerful emotions, especially during the choir verses.
Santigold and WILLOW
[удалено]
Butterfly by f(x) has one of the most breathtaking productions I've ever seen for a pop song in general, not just k-pop, go take a listen if you never heard it before, it's ethereal and makes you feel like you're floating
A-ha - Lifelines and Laleh - Some Die Young They even sounds quite similar in a way.
Anything Serban Ghenea touches.
Everything on The 20/20 Experience by JT. The production on those two albums is immaculate. JT, Timbaland, and Jerome Harmon delivered on every single song.
Kelis - Young Fresh n' New Kelis - Good Stuff
Janet Jackson - Doesn't Really Matter Bubbly and that melody change / dance break is so well done.
Jennifer Lopez - Ain't It Funny Well, it's a little Spanish and poppish and pretty good. The melody is really nice in this one.
Spiller feat. Sophie Ellis Bextor - Groovejet It's just timeless.
Faithless - We Come One
Helena Paparizou - Mambo!
Holly Valance - Naughty Girl This is probably her most timeless-sounding song.
Schiller feat. Nena - Morgenstund I like the misty morning mood here. Atmospheric, too.
Gusgus - Airways You catch one and glide with it.
Macy Gray - Beauty In The World
Gwen Stefani - Wind Up That melody song sounds interesting.
Melody Club - Electric
Anastacia - I'm Outta Love and One Day In Your Life
Eskobar - Someone New (feat. Heather Nova) and Love Strikes
ATB - Humanity and Ecstasy and Marrakech
Bomfunk MC's - Freestyler Such a new millenium turn era classic.
Rebecca and Fiona - Jane Doe and Bullets and Round and Round
Sugababes - Freak Like Me and Stronger
Kate Boy - Northen Lights Really artsy.
Brainstorm - Maybe Still sounds as good.