Stuck....Please Help...Tropical Pop

[SawtoothPorter]

I am afraid I have hit a wall with this track. If someone can give me a hand up that would be so great. It is just falling flat to me and I am not sure if I should toss and start fresh or keep pushing through.

Thanks in advance.

Track:
https://soundcloud.com/sawtoothporter/save-me

Listing:
TROPICAL POP INSTRUMENTALS are needed QUICKLY by a European Music Library with lots and lots of great placements in Film and TV. They’re looking for Fresh, Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals similar to acts like (but not limited to) Sigala, Jonas Blue, Rita Ora, etc., etc., etc.

Please review the following references to immerse yourself in the sound and style of what they’re looking for:

“Came Here for Love” by Sigala, Ella Eyre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq8fE3kKIBk

“Mama” by Jonas Blue ft. William Singe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPTfXwPf_HM

“Your Song” by Rita Ora: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i95Nlb7kiPo

Although the references have vocals, please submit Instrumentals only for this pitch. Please submit killer, well-crafted Instrumentals that sound like a believable Tropical Pop cut (without vocals). Make sure your Instrumental has slick electronic production, engaging rhythms with melodic progressions and tons of cool ear candy to keep your Instrumental interesting.

Best,
Elliott

[andygabrys]

I would:

1) dry it up. Check out the amount of ambience the refs had on their parts. Keep working the reverb (and eq of reverb) until you get similar sounds.

2) the chords in the breakdown tell you what you should be hearing for most of the tune bass note wise. The bass figure that you have running through most of the tune doesn't go anywhere. And because you are using a hollow interval (4ths 5ths) for the primary vibes / marimba sort of part it doesn't give a lot of information to your ear about what the chords in the piece are doing. You could use it for a tension building section following the breakdown before it goes into another outtro chorus section.

3) make sure you can hear some kick besides that fat bass. i.e. turn down / eq the bass.

[SawtoothPorter]

Thanks Andy!

As always this is helpful.

[VicMartinez]

Nice track.

I think making the melody more motivic can enhance the marketability of the track alot. Perhaps using an AABa format for the melody. In other words (A) 2 four bar phrases that are rhythmically and melodically symmertrical (B) one four bar phrases that acts as almost a response to A and (a) A recap of the initial melody but with a variation in the consequent.

Hope this helps

-Vic

[dskinner75]

Nice Track. Andy was right on track with drying up the fx to match the refs. Also, the high hats and other sounds going on in the background were perhaps a bit too prominent, and they even got a little distracting, especially since the chord progression was quite simple. The drop in the bridge was a very nice contrast.

[DannyWeber]

Hey Elliott,

I think a more prominent kick drum would help this track a great deal. Lacking bottom end and punch.

Good luck,
Dan

[SawtoothPorter]

Thanks so much to all that have chimed in.

Vic...thanks for teaching me a new music term I had to look-up...I know so little about formal melody writing I had no idea what consequent was. So thanks for some good reading.

Ok. I think I have created bass parts and a rhythm part that better supports the melody that was in place. To me, the track is popping a bit more, but please keep the suggestions coming on the v2.

https://soundcloud.com/sawtoothporter/save-me