Feedback on pop song

[3162Crew]

Hi all. Thanks for the helpful community here. I'm navigating the totally unfamiliar waters of composing pop music, looking at a listing using Katy Perry's 'Tucked' as a reference for an instrumental pop track.

As a jazz pianist by nature I find this all quite bewildering. Specifically I don't really understand how I prevent a, basically, 4 chord song from being a repetitive drone (while also preventing it becoming too complex for a cue); specifically if I don't have vocals.

Any and all feedback is welcome, I'm just starting in this genre and am happy to learn.

[DBarnett]

Hi Crew,
I don't see a listing for Pop Instrumentals or a Katy Perry reference
Maybe I missed it? Post the listing with references if you could, please
I think the production sounds good but there's a lot of people way better than me (not my genre either) it's a bit EDM light if that's even a thing
I think it has variation though
If there's no current listing, it's definitely a keeper composition wise IMO
Good luck

[3162Crew]

Weird- must have expired already. Which is fine as I doubt it’s nearly ready. Thanks for feedback.

[kregdurant]

Hi all. Thanks for the helpful community here. I'm navigating the totally unfamiliar waters of composing pop music, looking at a listing using Katy Perry's 'Tucked' as a reference for an instrumental pop track.

As a jazz pianist by nature I find this all quite bewildering. Specifically I don't really understand how I prevent a, basically, 4 chord song from being a repetitive drone (while also preventing it becoming too complex for a cue); specifically if I don't have vocals.

Any and all feedback is welcome, I'm just starting in this genre and am happy to learn.

reminds me a little of "The bad touch" by the bloodhound gang

Some things i would do is remove the high hat, replace it with a shaker or even just white noise (shivers - ed sheeran has a great example of this). Layer the claps and use a brighter sample. The lead guitar at 0:23 (i believe its sampled) bring up 1 or 2 octaves and give it more that funk pop lead sound (like the reference)
I would nuke the piano, maybe use a pad for root notes and switch those rhythm parts to a guitar or even throw something on to destroy it and make it more unique (Output sounds's Portal, Movement, Thermal are all my go tos for that)
Could definitely benefit from some modern sound design. A great video on sound design to watch (and just a channel to follow in general) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R30L1fIKzpU

And then another great video that goes through the guts of what makes this "Funk/Disco Pop" genre tick is this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI4rzNsTv_o
Thats also another great channel for overall pop production.

If yah have any questions on the production side feel free to ask away <3

[3162Crew]

Wow- thank you for the detailed assistance! I’ll work through that gradually!