With his unmistakable catchy hooks, producer Pop Time makes music that grabs right at listeners’ hearts, including his works with ZICO, the unique and youthful songs of BOYNEXTDOOR, and the diverse concepts of (G)I-DLE’s intimate tracks. Below, the trendsetting producer takes a look at some of the songs that inspire him most.

Karencici - “Hard to say”
Pop Time: Personally, when I make music, I’m focusing on the personality and how emotion is conveyed vocally. The album art for this song feels like it’s putting a whole new character on the classic ballad. The way Karencici talk-sings and the linguistic texture allows the listener to feel the lyrics more deeply. It’s an amazing song.

TAEYANG - “This Ain’t It”
Pop Time: My favorite breakup song. I feel like I’m sharing in the singer’s emotions line by line as the song unfolds. I remember when I first got to this track on the album, I thought, What kind of love has this person been through …?

The Foundations - “Build Me Up Buttercup (mono version)” 
Pop Time: As soon as I play this song, it transports me somewhere, although I have no idea where that somewhere is. I love how the character singing the song comes across as pure and spunky at the same time.

Tori Kelly - “Don’t You Worry ’Bout A Thing”
Pop Time: It’s not every day that a remake surpasses a song that’s already practically perfect, but personally, I prefer this version. Even if you haven’t seen Sing, the movie it’s from, you can tell: the vocals, musical skill and intention, and emotions are all just perfect.

Tedy - “Rich”
Pop Time: I love the raw dopamine hit you get from the way the G-funk groove and feeling gets hammered out in a four-beat rhythm.

Winston Surfshirt - “Of Another Kind” (feat. Milan Ring, Jerome Farah)
Pop Time: I like how every instrument on this song has a clear purpose for the emotion it’s intended to convey. Everything from the vocals to the keys, bass, brass, guitar, and more. When Jerome Farah comes in during the third verse? Oh man.

BOYNEXTDOOR - “So let’s go see the stars”
Pop Time: Before they debuted, the BOYNEXTDOOR members told me at the studio that they wanted to hear some of their favorite songs on good speakers, so I played them some. They looked like the spitting image of youthfulness and romance itself as they listened. I wanted to capture that as best as possible in the music, so I talked it over with them while making it, and I think we managed to capture the emotions of the day pretty well. I still put it on when I’m out driving around.

Pop Time's recommendation: 
RAYE - ‘Confidence (Preditah Remix) (feat. Maleek Berry & Nana Rogues)’
Gabriel - ‘i’m lost for words’
Melanie Fiona - ‘L.O.V.E (Feat. John Legend)’
Malcolm Todd, Eem Triplin - ‘New Friends'
Trip Carter - ‘Mindless’
Ted Fresco, Sushisingz & Isaiah Mendiola - ‘I’m in Love’
PJ Morton - ‘How Deep Is Your Love’
Chaka Khan - ‘Like Sugar’