If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers.

ALBI ALBERTSSON

Years active: 2012-present (for k-pop specifically)

Associated Acts: VIXX, EXO, Red Velvet, Girls’ Generation, Kat-Tun (jpop), Da-iCE (jpop)

His sound: European influence, with prominent use of syncopation and heavy electronic beats. Bombastic production style, paired with melodic pop hooks.

Why you should love him: Albi Albertsson has produced for both k-pop and j-pop acts, but no matter what the nationality, his work makes a strong statement with its bold sound. He’s crafted quite a few classics for VIXX, and has his hands in a good chunk of SM Entertainment’s more high profile work as well. Rather than chase trends, Albertsson’s tracks have a classic pop appeal that often veers towards a futuristic, electronic tone well-suited to k-pop’s focus on high concept visuals.

Examples of his best work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TcXHDJIShI