Max Martin: Hit machine to the stars

Published October 22nd 2015

The name Max Martin may not mean that much to many people, and, perhaps, that’s the way it should be. He’s one of those behind the scenes people.

From behind the scenes, though, he’s responsible for shaping and launching many careers. He’s a song writer and producer and has worked with a lot of pop stars. More recently, he’s linked to the new, long awaited, Adele album “25”.

He, himself, got a start, while being in a rock band. The band got signed to Denniz PoP’s label (another career launcher) and Martin started to work closely together with PoP. In 1994 their first production together was released. It was the song “Wish You Were Here” by Rednex, which was popular in Europe.

Max Martin with Britney Spears

Max Martin with Britney Spears

The pair went on to produce Ace of Base, 3T, Leila K and Army of Lovers, but the biggest break in Europe came in 1995 when they were commissioned by Jive Records to work with a brand new American boyband, the Backstreet Boys. Completely unknown at the time.

With them, Martin did what he’s become known for world wide, he created the sound of the 90s. The sound that would launch the careers of The Backstreet Boys, but also Jessica, Solid Harmonie, 5ive, Westlife, ‘N Sync and oh, yeah, a little lady called Britney Spears.

His sound included heavy basses and many keyboards while combining a little bit of funk with the pop music that was immensely popular in Europe at the time, but then perfected.

But just when you started to think that a pop producer was all he was, he started to show his true potential. Working with Kelly Clarkson on her sophomore album, “Breakaway”, a completely different Martin emerged. He got back in touch with his rock side and with that, Kelly Clarkson broke through world wide. Two of her greatest hits, ” Since U Been Gone” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes”, are his.

This rock sound appealed to established stars, like P!nk, Maroon 5 and later on, Taylor Swift who would then work with him, but also unknowns like Katy Perry, with whom he wrote “I Kissed A Girl”, that launched her career.

Funny enough, pop and rock is not where his story ends, he also produced R&B like Robyn’s debut album, that now feels like ages ago, but more recently, also The Weeknd’s ” Can’t Feel My Face”.

In a recent book, The Song Machine (by John Seabrook), Martin’s work is described in depth. His work ethic and search for perfection have given him the description to be a “master of melody”. Altogether, he’s been working as a writer and producer for a good 20 years and his resume is so impressive that he’s even considered Adele’s safe bet for her new album.

Read more:
The greatest songwriter you’ve never heard of  (the New Daily)
The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” gives Max Martin his 21st number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (Billboard)
Mr. PoP (Slate)

Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.