If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers.
THOMAS TROELSEN
Years active: 2003-present
Associated Acts: Shinee, Super Junior, f(x), TVXQ, Girls’ Generation
His sound: 80’s inspired, with an emphasis on funky, retro synths and ample syncopation. Has a definite penchant for Michael Jackson and a bright, classic pop style.
Why you should love him: An example of SM Entertainment’s recruitment of foreign producers, Thomas Troelsen is based in Denmark and has a sizable list of production credits for Western artists, including his own bands, Superheroes and Private. In fact, I was a fan of his work before I was even into k-pop. Troelsen has given Shinee some of their most enduring classics, and his gift for melody always ensures a solid track. If you miss the time when pop music was fun and funky, Troelsen is your man. From what I can tell, SM has cut ties with him (his last work in the k-pop genre was back in 2014), but I am longing for a comeback, as his unique sound is very much needed.
Examples of his best work:
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
That’s quite a stellar list of songs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Song Review: NCT Dream – Chewing Gum | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Grading the K-Pop Agencies: SM ENTERTAINMENT | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: K-Pop New Years Resolutions: 10 Things I Want To See Happen In 2017 | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top Ten Best K-Pop Producers | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top Ten Best Album Tracks by SHINEE | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: TVXQ – Truth | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2012 (Day Five: 10-1) | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Buried Treasure: Key – Show Me | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: U-Know (Yunho of TVXQ) – Follow | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Buried Treasure: SuperM – I Can’t Stand The Rain | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: Changmin (Max of TVXQ) – Chocolate | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Looking Back: The Top Three K-Pop Songs of March 2012 | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The 100 Best K-Pop Songs of All-Time: Number 8 | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: The Midnight Romance – Nightmare | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: NCT U – 90’s Love | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Jesus Christ. After my comment on Boyfriend the other day, I went on to find out some more about Sweetune and got pulled into the producer rabbit hole. Once there I learned that between this guy and Teddy Park they wrote like 80% of my K-pop all time favorites. I also realized I’m quite the YG fan.
(Also that Melanie Fontana is a mixed bag of the best TXT and some of the worst BTS while the best BTS title track ever, Blood Sweat and Tears, was produced by the guy that made my favorite Oneus, Mamamoo and that huge Onewe track earlier this year, Kim Dohoon. And Bang Chan makes better b-sides than title tracks. Oh, and a guy called Adrian McKinnon has made a bunch of great SM tracks over the years, and so on and so forth and I don’t even know why I’m telling you this…)
Overall, quite a fruitful quest. But after much soul-searching, I still can’t seem to see what’s so great about Sherlock.
Anyways, is there any other producer/s in particular that humble me should check, Your Worthiness?
LikeLike
Always follow the producers 😉
My holy trinity is:
Sweetune
Troelsen
Yoo Young-Jin
Some newer ones to check out:
1Take & TAK
Black Eyed Pilseung
Coach & Sendo
CODE9
Edenary
Frants
Full8loom
Galactika
Iggy/Youngbae
Monotree
And then there are the classics:
Brave Brothers
Duble Sidekick
e.one
JYP
Shinsadong Tiger
I’ve got a few favorite J-pop producers as well:
Daisuke Asakura (my all-time fav)
Tommy Clint
Takuya Watanabe
I’m sure you’re already aware since you commented on this post, but my “Producer Spotlight” feature is a great place to go to get a taste of most of these producers (and many, many more):
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. And sorry. I must be looking like an idiot here, because it seems I don’t understand songwriting credits all that much. 😕
Turns out Kim Dohoon is one of RBW’s goddanged CEOs and Oneus’ discography seems to be more the work of a member of Monotree, but at least he definitely worked on LIT, which is my favorite Oneus single, IMO.
(After TXT’s 2020 and before TOO take their first dip, I think Oneus is one of exactly two rookies that I still find consistently good, in case you were wondering. And Verivery for some b-sides.)
LikeLike
Pingback: Buried Treasure: U-Know (Yunho from TVXQ) – Need You Right Now | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: Jay B (GOT7) – go UP | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2022 (Day One: 50-41) | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion