Loudness wars have been a problem for multiple decades, originating from early 90’s where records have gotten progressively louder. As a result, songs started sounding more congested, 2-dimensional, and fatiguing to the ears.

Conversely, it appears the trend is taking a gradual reverse since earlier this decade. Records haven’t been sounding as harsh, overwhelming, and instead opting for more of a relaxed soundscape. Examples include:

Alchemist albums with Boldy, Conway, etc.
Lupe Fiasco’s new album “Samurai”
Paak x Knxledge record “Yes Lawd”
Might Delete Later, vol 1

As a fellow audio connoisseur, the inclination towards scaling back on volume levels is a delightful welcome. Enjoyment in music is restored and frankly, the future of music is looking optimistic.

I hope so. Real dynamic contrast is something so simple yet seems like something we don’t see a lot of. Chappell Roan’s album is great with this. S/O Dan Nigro and his team

none of those artists make the kind of music that was part of the loudness wars to begin with

commercial pop music will always be maxed out in loudness from here on

"loudness war" is just some audiophile nerd s***. hot masters actually do sound good for certain kinds of music, not everything has to be the Fantasia soundtrack.

Not until Rick Rubin takes his last breath

aura wars

No

"As a fellow audio connoisseur, the inclination towards scaling back on volume levels is a delightful welcome. Enjoyment in music is restored and frankly, the future of music is looking optimistic."

Probably not, but I really hope so.

Here’s Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough from 1983 vs the 2001 pressing before Invincible came out.

Bad 25 in 2012 was one of the worst “remasters” ever

It’s so bad.

dont think alchemist or knxwledge albums are gonna be good examples of trends

@ the one autist that goes in every alchemist thread and complains about the mix/master please pop off on op

The music still clips, but engineers optimize the mix now for your Bluetooth headphones. More low end and a V-shaped sound trick our ears.

I think in the 2000s it was mixed for the radio.

also I think since genres like overproduced pop, punk and rock fell out of favor and quiet (bedroom) pop and organic hip hop beats are all the rage, this correlates with your observations too

The frequencies and trap drums really mess with you mentally, physically and spiritually.

that was so much fun, hunting down the best sounding CDs of each MJ album

The Chronic 2001 by Dr Dre started the loudness war

Absolutely - there's a lotta bad ones out there lol

Which pressings did you go for?

this is literally the opposite of the truth like ain't no way you could be more wrong. loudness wars started in the early 90s

probably not

We almost here with it

I don't have my computer right now but I remember someone had to apply de-emphasis on my Thriller copy and it sounded better anything I've heard before. Need to look it up at home.

Who will release this generation’s Californication

gearspace.com/board/rap-hip-hop-engineering-and-production/117572-did-dr-dre-ruin-quot-hip-hop-mastering-quot-chronic-2001-a.html

anime

Bro should be writing for ChatGPT