When your songs sound like hits....

[YouCantHear.me]

Wow man. About to blow track is exaaaaactly Tik tok haha... But less interesting (hooks not as good melodically or lyrically). I think the tracks get kinda boring after the chorus because there are no real moments in the recordings--the moments that are there seem to come from the way you've copied other tracks (ala the hat pickup in the chorus of about to blow), and not from something original.

There is definitely a lot of rehashed stuff in pop music, but in radio-hits its rehashed in an originally way, not just straight copied and having similar melodic choices (lots of people copy Luke, but the songs that do well seem to copy luke with a different style singer/genre, or add something different/original when the chorus hits--that way you have a good marriage of familiar and cool/different sounding).

I'd say focus on moments--making something special happen. Have more variety in your verses so the listener is still engaged after the first chorus is over. You know how to get tracks to melodically be in the vain of hits, now maybe make more "awesome" parts happen throughout your tracks.

To me, pop music is all about moments. Moments come from unexpected things happening, beats picking up, volume changes, rhythmic changes, melodic changes, etc.

Also, if there's anything I've learned about making/pitching tracks its that people can't see potential in songs, and moreso just want a totally finished recording where the vox can be recut and the song can be finished. There are thousands of kids who can make a recording sound similar to a hit, but far fewer people who can get it totally to the level (sonically - ie in the mix, melodically, originality wise, etc). Even if you had a major publisher at a major pub company, they wouldn't/couldn't do anything great with a track that isn't totally to a professional level.

Just my .02. Keep working at it!

[wakestyle]

fixed the title for you
When you think your songs sound like hits.

Personally I find it just wrong to see so called 'musician' or producer that are more like pusher than anything else. It's far better to have a modest view of your skills because hey, you really are still learning right?

That's just the vibe I'm getting without even listening to the tracks. You sound like you simply have a agenda, which is to 'MAKE HOT TRACKS'. It's good to be super-positive but you don't manufacture 'HOT TRACKS' unless you are already a super producer genius and everything you touch turns into gold.

So since you are admittedly copying and learning from other artists you respect and are inspired from, might as well just be content to play the student in music, rather than the hit-maker.

I have no problem with those choosing to copy and remake others format, everybody does it or has done it in some way, but without the theory behind it to make all the songs parts intrinsic harmonically, cohesive or simply more entertaining then you are likely going to end up with 1 or 2 melodies that just sound similar to something else.

cheers

[Lord Lav]

If you're drawing your inspiration from something else I think it's fine but always look to put your own spin on it! I agree with some of the above comments that you should focus on doing you. At the end of the day, it's wrong in my opinion to follow the trend and it's also wrong to go against the trend. Instead focus on doing you. At the same time I think it's important to find your audience. Once your music has a proven audience people will be willing to invest in it.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by Lord Lav

If you're drawing your inspiration from something else I think it's fine but always look to put your own spin on it! I agree with some of the above comments that you should focus on doing you. At the end of the day, it's wrong in my opinion to follow the trend and it's also wrong to go against the trend. Instead focus on doing you. At the same time I think it's important to find your audience. Once your music has a proven audience people will be willing to invest in it.

I totally agree with you.

[mat1]

I think your productions are almost there but the toplines aren't..

Have you spoken to publishers over here? I'd be surprised if they haven't offered to set you up with any of their newer topliners. Also they'll be more invested in you and your songs if one of their own writers has a share of it it pays to not be too possessive.

Production wise I think it'll be hard to get your foot in with stuff like this. There's so much of it around from already established guys.

These days it pays to be a bit quirky, if you can find a way to add that to what you do now then you're laughing!!

[bambamboom]

Originally Posted by jahala

"Heard it before- and done better- from songwriters I already work with and do business with". - This is a statement from a top A&R in Europe- and I think it describes your problem.

I totally agree.

The production itself is not the biggest problem here. Sonically the sounds are in the ballpark of that genre. I listened to at least part of all of the soundcloud tracks.

Here is where I think you should focus:

-None of them have melodies that really stand out
-The song arrangements are waaaaaaaay predictable - boring....
-Instrumentation could be a bit more diverse, a bit one dimensional right now

The melody thing is the big one. The melody should be so good that it is great even when you remove all of the backing tracks. I found that often your melodies were quite simple and repetitive to the point of losing my interest. Not that I am a fan, but listen to "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus for an example of good use of melody and melody hooks in a song. It hasn't had 300 million Youtube views by accident. Notice how they frequently repeat the catchiest parts of the melody and/or lyrics. Whether you like the song or not, you can learn a ton by studying this song. Dr Luke has made a few $ on this one for sure.

Good luck, you're making good progress, keep working at it!