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Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

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Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

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Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

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GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

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Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

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Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

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Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

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How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

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Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

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How to Turn a Bedroom into a Professional Home Studio on a Budget

September 19, 2024

For many aspiring musicians, the dream of creating a professional-quality home studio seems out of reach due to costs and space constraints. However, with the right strategies and tools, it's...

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Remote Music Collaboration: Tools and Tips for Seamless Production

September 18, 2024

Collaborating on music remotely has become more common, but as you’ve experienced, it can be a challenge to get it right. Audio latency, control sensitivity, and lack of real-time feedback are...

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How to Build a Loyal Fanbase Using Social Media in 2024

September 18, 2024

In today’s digital age, building a loyal fanbase is essential for musicians to thrive. Social media platforms have become powerful tools for connecting directly with fans, sharing music, and...

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Sweet and Bright! How to make the Bubblegum Pop sound

Jaisha Valliani

March 25, 2026

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

Bubblegum pop is upbeat pop music with very strong hooks, simple lyrics, and a sweet. Songs are usually short, in a major key, with easy melodies, handclaps, and sing‑along choruses that get stuck in your head right away. The common themes in music videos are things like first love, friendship, dancing, confidence, and everyday teen life. The style is made to feel instant and fun rather than deep or serious, which is why some critics unfortunately do not take it very seriously, even though there’s often an underlying message in them (like Catallena from Orange Caramel!).

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A few K‑pop bubblegum pop examples

Many K‑pop girl groups built their early image on bubblegum concepts: bright colors, cute choreography, and very playful songs. Early TWICE hits like “Cheer Up” and “TT,” Girls Generation songs like “Gee” and “Into The New World,” and Yena’s new bright solo track “Catch Catch” (What inspired this blog) all lean into bouncy melodies and adorable synths. Playlists tagged “bubblegum K‑pop” often include groups like TWICE, Oh My Girl, Momoland, STAYC, and Kep1er, showing how strong this sound is in girl‑group pop.​

But why is it appealing?

  • Very catchy choruses and repeated hooks that are easy to sing along to, even if you do not know Korean.
  • Clear, cute visual concepts that match the sound and help fans remember songs and make fanchants.
  • Energetic beats that feel fun in games, dance practice, and clips.​

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A few J‑pop bubblegum pop examples

Tommy february6 (Tomoko Kawase’s pop alter ego) is a good example of J‑pop bubblegum with heavy 80s and Eurobeat influence. Her songs blend sugary synthpop, cute vocals, and glittery aesthetics in a way that feels very cute and makes you feel happy!. AKB48 and similar idol groups also use bubblegum elements: simple choruses, chants with the crowd, and lyrics about youth, school life, and crushes. (I would mention vocaloid but I think that’s a whole different blog).

But why is it appealing?

  • Strong idol culture: fans connect to a large group of members through easy, cheerful songs they can make a fanchant with!
  • Nostalgic sounds like 80s synths give the music a retro but cute feeling.​

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How beginners can make this sound!

1. Songwriting basics

  • Use simple, happy chords and a catchy chorus.
  • Stick to one clear feeling per song, or experiment with the song! Bubblegum pop is usually full of simple lyrics that sometimes have a deeper meaning.

2. Sounds and instruments

  • Drums: kick, snare or clap, and an easy beat 
  • Synths: go for bright leads, nice plucks, and soft pads for warmth.
  • Extras: add snaps and sparkly FX for energy.
  • For K‑pop vibes, layer more synths and vocal chops; for J‑pop, try retro 80s keys and bell tones.

3. Arrangement and structure

  • The usual structure for cutesy bubblegum kpop songs are: intro → verse → pre‑chorus → chorus → verse 2 → chorus → bridge → final chorus.
  • Bring in the chorus early (within 40–45 seconds) so the listener hooks fast, or add a hook that’ll catch the listener's attention!
  • Add small twists to each chorus like a new harmony, synth part, or even a key change.

Good luck experimenting!

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Sweet and Bright! How to make the Bubblegum Pop soundsweet-and-bright-how-to-make-the-bubblegum-pop-soundJaisha VallianiMar 25, 2026Bubblegum pop is upbeat pop music with very strong hooks, simple lyrics, and a sweet. Songs are usually short, in a major key, with easy melodies, handclaps, and sing‑along choruses that get stuck...

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