Modern Country feedback

[andygabrys]

production wise - its too thick - too many independent parts - that could be used to add a lift every 4 bars instead of having everything in - like the first chorus is nearly as big as the last. Or maybe exactly the same. I would be structuring the arrangement so that there is someplace to go later in the song.

I notice you also have some super-smooth sustaining leads guitars playing harmony chords in the chorus - this has the audio effect of making things smooth and there is no punch. If you instead had some major punch on the bass and the kick, it would help to move things along. The ref posted below also has some of the smooth harmony guitar bit, but the bottom end is much punchier making things move more. Or you could add some wide panned electrics playing chords and helping punctate what the bass and kick are doing, that might help too.

I would check the bass rhythm vs. the kick drum. I am not feeling much if any support, and you could be doubling the kick rhythm with the bass or vice verse to help punch things up down low. The bass is almost subliminal level too - adding some parallel distortion would help make the bass audible instead of just being a low indistinct feeling.

Panning wise - I get the impression that your song has one width. Wide. You are missing an opportunity to give some drama to the chorus by having something different - like narrow it up in the verse, and then explode in the chorus with wide guitars punching that similar kick / bass rhythm (once that is doubled up)/

And yeah - reverb - and delay - just way too ambient and indistinct. Lead vocal, snare, drums in general - the hi-hat is everywhere (or maybe its a shaker but it sounds like the foot hats). If you need some size from verb but don't want it to dominate this might help (if you aren't doing it already): http://andygabrys.com/2015/06/how-to-mi ... in-reverb/ - filter the reverb basically.

as a ref: similar tempo - and a breakdown. check out the sounds. authoritative low end on snare like yours too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KllQ8e9Ae0w (note that Spotify and Youtube now have apparent volume compensation so if yours sounds more impressive cause its louder, turn it down to match - check the same tune on iTunes and you will hear how loud it really is mastered - make sure to turn soundcheck off). Check the breakdown into last chorus at 2:33 - that is a width difference you can feel it could help your tune.

just 2,345 cents.