So I recently picked up some high-end audio gear, and one thing that really surprised me is how much it reveals which recordings were truly well mixed and mastered, and how unforgiving it can be toward those that aren't.

Fellow audiophiles, drop some examples of albums or songs that are exceptionally well mixed and mastered.

Here are a few records that gave me an eargasm:

Lady Gaga's Harlequin sounds so smooth and clean.

In terms of specific tracks:

Natasha Bedingfield - Put Your Arms Around Me

BBMAK - Back Here

Music by Madonna. It was released in 2000 but still clears many modern albums

What's Your Pleasure?

Yup

30 minutes ago, Stankonia said:

So I recently picked up some high-end audio gear,

Can I ask what kind of gear? I've been wanting to step it up for some time, especially speakers for a turntable

Hounds of love….reading some of these answers up there got me confused

Through the wall

28 minutes ago, Mr. Peanutbutter said:

Music by Madonna. It was released in 2000 but still clears many modern albums

I just listened for the first time in a while a few weeks ago and was really impressed!

Also, Through The Wall is a great example from last year. It gives me shivers after countless replays. And the vinyl!

Every Beck album...

Dawn FM

Music by Madonna

I mean, how can these be from 26 years ago

Midnights by Taylor Swift.

1 hour ago, Enzo said:

What's Your Pleasure?

Yup

1 hour ago, Kern said:

Through the wall

Those are excellent too.

18 minutes ago, zuper said:

Midnights by Taylor Swift.

Girl. No.

Production is THE worst part of Taylors music, in my opinion since ~2021

I MEAN - and I can't stress this enough - even in losless quality does The Life Of A Showgirl sound like a low- to mid-quality recording. It became VERY obvious during the Midnights era. Many of her songs really started sounding cheap.

Most of the time I think the song itself is good but the recording/production/mixing sound cheap af.

Edited January 6Jan 6 by Schami66

RAM was engineered/mixed by Mick Guzauski who also did an incredible job with mixing Butterfly by Mimi (and her #1s compilation)

1 hour ago, Spicy Pisces said:

Can I ask what kind of gear? I've been wanting to step it up for some time, especially speakers for a turntable

I got new headphones (the Focal Clear MG) along with the ifi Zen Dac V2 and the ifi Zen CAN V2 (amplifier). It's been really fun rediscovering my favorite music with this setup.

Also idk if you agree but I'd include Val Young's Seduction. It's an 80s album so it's not perfect, but it sounds so sleek and expensive.

I think Rick James did it?

2 minutes ago, suburbannature said:

RAM was engineered/mixed by Mick Guzauski who also did an incredible job with mixing Butterfly by Mimi (and her #1s compilation)

Ooh I didn't know that! Lemme give Butterfly a listen because RAM sounds absolutely GODLY on my new setup.

M. Guzauski stepping out of the studio after mixing RAM

12 minutes ago, Schami66 said:

Girl. No.

Production is THE worst part of Taylors music, in my opinion since ~2021

I MEAN - and I can't stress this enough - even in losless quality does The Life Of A Showgirl sound like a low- to mid-quality recording. It became VERY obvious during the Midnights era. Many of her songs really started sounding cheap.

Most of the time I think the song itself is good but the recording/production/mixing sound cheap af.

Girl please seek help.

Jack won Producer of the Year because of Midnights. The production of TLOAS is chef's kiss and I won't start with Speak Now TV or Fearless TV.

Kelly Lee Owens' Dreamstate

Ayumi Hamasaki's "A Best" 15th anniversary edition has such an exceptional polished, crystal clear sound that blows my mind away.

As for not remastered albums, American Life comes to mind.

reputation is perfection sonically.