Is this song retro pop? Listing for EMOTIONAL ALTERNATIVE/INDIE SONGS

[WSAO]

Hi folks,
Sent a song for this listing:
https://www.taxi.com/listings/S240522KE

Song:
https://www.taxi.com/members/WJQg0yIBTr ... hn-camargo

I'm not even questioning the return, as I knew the song was a bit less indie / folk than the references, I would say it sounds more like 2000s Goo Goo Dolls (iris) style, but the screener thinks is more like a retro pop 80s...

Review:
What I like most about this song
Andre - thanks for this submission. I dig the soulful guitar work and poetic pulse you bring to this one. Nicely done.

I think you could improve this song by
Unfortunately this leans slightly more towards the 80's retro pop side of the coin to best nail this pitch.

I returned or forwarded this song because
Needed a slightly more modern alternative pulse to better land this particular pitch.


Is this really sounds Retro Pop 80s?

Thanks!
Andre

[deantaylor]

I'd say 2000's

[Casey H]

I agree with the screener that it sound more like 80s Air Supply, REO Speedwagon (or close to those) to me. Look up similar artists to those and poke around. You already know it's not even close to the ballpark for this listing. A simple A/B with the first ref track shows that.

It's a beautiful song and could find a home. Just tag it correctly for era and sound-likes. Listings and libraries do call for songs from other eras.

Best,
Casey

[Yajhil]

I don't think this sounds 80's at all, sure your vocals do sound a bit like the singer from Air Supply but yeah, not 80's. More like late 90's to early 2000's. It does remind me of Iris, but your song is less wild and rock-ish.

I have only submitted a few songs, but I already have an idea of how hard it's probably going to be to nail a listing. Because even if the song does match, someone's musical exposure might create a bias. For example with your song, the sound clearly isn't 80's, but your vocals sound like the lead singer of a band they know from the 80's, therefore it's all of a sudden retro 80's pop. I suspect pitching this as a retro 80's pop song will land you nothing.

[cosmicdolphin]

The vocal reverb, harmonies and snare give it an 80s kinda vibe

But I think it leans more mid -late 90s songwriting wise

[WSAO]

Thanks guys!
Yep, I do agree, with the reverb and a voice similar to the air supply guy, but the concept is totally late 90's and 2000s.
Retro pop 80s was more synthesizers, gate snares and more electronic stuff.
Anyway, it was out of the target...

Let's keep composing, writing and rocking!

Cheers!