What are some of the most complex popular songs of today?

[shrk314]

From a music theory standpoint, what are some the most complex, sophisticated, or noteworthy modern popular songs?

[boysilver400]

Swimming Pools.

Okay maybe not, can't really think of any thing else. I just love how he talks about how the people around him who drink, and the feeling that he wants to drink just to fit in is executed.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I don't know if it's complicated but I find the makeup of Pipe Dreams by Nelly Furtado intriguing.

[MilesW1998]

It's pop music, it's not supposed to be complex for the young, and dumb hivemind, it's supposed to be simple and easy to understand. Not everything needs to be given a hyper-analyzed approach from music critics, you cannot expect me to believe songs like Fight Song and Just Like Fire are worst of the year worthy just because of their subject matter and sound, because they really aren't. :sip2:

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Defensive much? wow

[Az Paynter]

"Music theory" are the key words here. This isn't about lyrics. It's about melody and production.

[MilesW1998]

^The same can still be applied to the aforementioned two songs as well on that regard.

[JOJO SIWA DERANGEMENT SYNDROME]

Lana Del Rey - Love
The production is so beautifully layered and the effects on the vocals give it this ethereal, uplifting feel. It's an otherworldly experience.

[Deleted]

What is the cutoff point for 'modern' and 'popular'? I don't want this thread turning into people naming their favorite top 37-peaking hits from 1992, you know. But I'll go with a 2000s or later, top 20 Hot 100 hit threshold. I can only think of a few immediately.

Uptown Funk came to mind first - the horn sections are much busier and more layered than most songs as of late would dare attempt. That's fitting for a song that so obviously draws its inspiration from '80s Minneapolis funk.

Britney's Toxic has a LOT going on and is probably the best example of complexity. Things that you wouldn't ever expect to go together - dramatic orchestral strings, a twangy guitar, synths, bass...it's amazing that it all came together so perfectly instead of turning into a chaotic mess.

Formation is probably more complex than most would give it credit for - it starts out very simple but when it gets about halfway through a hornline and more drum patterns come out of nowhere. After that it's kind of an intricate balance of dropping out or in new drum patterns. A lot changes but it's all wrapped around one 'main' pattern that keeps a sense of consistency throughout the song. Switching between different beats like that without confusing or annoying the listener is not an easy thing to do.

I just listened to the instrumental for Tove Lo's Habits on a whim and the string section in the hook is more intricate than I realized it was. The rest of the song is pretty simple, though. I think several pop songs employ this little trick - they beef up the chorus and/or bridge in a few key spots to add a touch of complexity but they really have to keep the majority of the song simple for the average listener to find it accessible.

Usher's U Don't Have to Call had some pretty extensive production going on, and Climax has one of the most unique melodic structures I can think of in mainstream music this century.

[JOJO SIWA DERANGEMENT SYNDROME]

Sept 26, 2017 2:49:44 GMT -5 @antigonerising said:

Britney's Toxic has a LOT going on and is probably the best example of complexity. Things that you wouldn't ever expect to go together - dramatic orchestral strings, a twangy guitar, synths, bass...it's amazing that it all came together so perfectly instead of turning into a chaotic mess.

The dramatic orchestral strings are a chopped up sample from this Bollywood song. Here is a detailed breakdown of the direct samples and then how they were cut up and stuff.

[willapted33]

DNA had complex lyrics, a beat switch in the middle, and had things like "f*ck your life" said about Fox "News" reporters. It hit the top 5. And even if this isn't about lyrics, it had a complex beat and samples.

[Dreams]

"Redbone" ???

[Sherane Lamar]

I know nothing about "music theory" or how it might judge "complexity", but EDM seems to have very layered instrumentals.

Last year's "Gold" by Kiarra comes to mind as one that appears to be very complex. That peaked in like the 15-11 range I believe.

[willapted33]

I'd say Gold is more just extremely messy than complex

[Leaf]

i.e. "I just don't like Gold"

[Dylan :)]

Chandelier? Everytime I listen I hear new instrumental and vocal parts I have never heard before. The instrumental sounds extremely layered, especially the chorus, and there are a lot of background vocals throughout. Elastic Heart's chorus was also quite complex, specifically the drums and synths together, and the last chorus sounded like a lot of stuff was going on yet it was very cohesive

[Deleted]

IMO I consider Scream - Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson to be a very complex song
For starters, their is the actual yells present throughout the song
the production of the song itself is unique
their is that rustling sound of broken glass layered on it
plus with the two Jacksons singing on the track and lyric's subject matter of the song
The unique slowed down bridge where Janet that comes during halfway mark of the song and causes a sudden stop, making it super unexpected

It all wraps up to be a flawless multilayered classic for me

[Luckie Starchild]

Janet Jackson's "If" comes to mind as a song with a number of transitions and a fusion of different genres.

[Deleted]

The first example that comes to my mind is Viva la Vida. Not only its lyrics tell a story loosely based on the French Revolution; but also the instrumental has layers of various instruments you usually wouldn't find in your average pop song. Thanks to that, it's still one of my favorite songs ever.

[rainie]

BYOB by System of a Down. This may be stretching the definition of hit a bit, but it did go top 40 and is argueably more well known then some of the biggest hits of today, so I'm counting it. Anyways it features a weird strong structure, very strange but overtly political lyrics, a ton of tempo changes, and a screamed bridge with a blast beat. That would NEVER happen these days.

[filthy]

Redbone no doubt:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGKlIJsz7bM

It's basically a mixup of 3 different songs

[rainie]

So This is America features a very complex, layered instrumental, overtly political lyrics, a weird song structure where it doesn’t really have a comventional chorus, and it even has vocals from 5 other rappers spliced all over the verses.

And it’s about to debut at #1. Wow.