TheMaartian
I like your work, Amine. And those 3 did sound like a lot of work.
 
FWIW, I had the same initial response to the kick.
 
Then I remembered having the same response to Lindsey Stirling's eponymous CD, and being surprised and disappointed that the style/genre of the songs on the CD was different than the web videos. [Fortunately, for me, the CD included 3 "orchestral" versions.] Then I remembered that I'm 64, and I neither understand well enough nor write for your "demographic."
 
Doesn't mean that I can't like your music. It does mean that I've got to be more accepting and treat such things as learning opportunities.
 
Also FWIW, I had REAL trouble practicing what I preach re modern Country Western. Lots of peeps love CW. Then again, lots of peeps love McDonald's.
 
But I worked at it. I get it now. It's BACKING music for the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, and the...oops, oh wait, no politics!
 
So, please feel free to ignore my "kick" concerns.

Hey TheMaartian,
 
Thank you for the listen and thank you for the feedback, and yes it was indeed a lot of work but it was fun. As for the kick concerns, they won't be ignored, I'm sure I can use that info for future projects.

emeraldsoul
fun stuff, sounds like a nice blend of something modern pop, and something actually good!
 
I listened to the first song, and the I'd sure drop the piano a bit while she is singing - I think the piano volume gets in the way of the vocal.
 
nice voices - thanks for the share!
 
cheers,
-Tom

Hey emeraldsoul,
 
Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate the kind words. The piano and vocal blend was definitely a challenge. I tried to use sidechain compression to get those to work together, I'll be sure to keep an ear out for things like that in future projects. If I may, what kind of speakers/headphones were you using while listening?
 
Amine

I don't know how to side chain so to keep bass drum and bass separate I put the bass synth on one eigth late. An old trick i learned in a music magazine. But sidechain is better i believe.

kakku
I don't know how to side chain so to keep bass drum and bass separate I put the bass synth on one eigth late. An old trick i learned in a music magazine. But sidechain is better i believe.

It's definitely an arrangement technique that helps displace some of the low end in 'emptier' spaces and that can definitely help mixing. But what if the music wants those two elements to interact at the same time? It all depends on what you and the music want. Sidechain can definitely help in the latter context. I have Alloy 2 and sometimes what I'll do is put the compressor in multi-band mode and just sidechain whatever frequency band I want/need. It's definitely a lifesaver in that regard. I'll do the same with vocals and other competing elements. I'm trying to rely more on mixing in mono but the demands will vary from arrangement to arrangement.

These are very nice pop songs.  I have to agree with some of the above that the drums (specifically in "Some Day") are a bit distracting but overall I think that you did a good job.
Thanks for posting.

Mannynyagain
Good pop material - like the vocals and the production overall. My only issues was with the drums on the fist tune - not that they are "wrong" but they do distract me and it takes away from the lyrics. All in all - good things and well done.

 
Thanks Mannynyagain, I appreciate it!

Amine Belkhouche

kakku
I don't know how to side chain so to keep bass drum and bass separate I put the bass synth on one eigth late. An old trick i learned in a music magazine. But sidechain is better i believe.

It's definitely an arrangement technique that helps displace some of the low end in 'emptier' spaces and that can definitely help mixing. But what if the music wants those two elements to interact at the same time? It all depends on what you and the music want. Sidechain can definitely help in the latter context. I have Alloy 2 and sometimes what I'll do is put the compressor in multi-band mode and just sidechain whatever frequency band I want/need. It's definitely a lifesaver in that regard. I'll do the same with vocals and other competing elements. I'm trying to rely more on mixing in mono but the demands will vary from arrangement to arrangement.

If I ever get back to my daw I will try sidechaining if i have tools for it.

Freddy J
These are very nice pop songs.  I have to agree with some of the above that the drums (specifically in "Some Day") are a bit distracting but overall I think that you did a good job.
Thanks for posting.

Hey Freddy J, I appreciate the listens. Do you remember what parts of the kit in Some Day were distracting and when they were distracting?