We’ve all heard it before. The constant bashing of female pop artists who are more recognized for their bubblegum aesthetics than their actual musical ability. Criticisms come from across the board, whether it’s for their outlandish wardrobe, shenanigans when performing, outspoken views for social activism, or their lavishly abstract lifestyles. The media finds every outlet possible to promote these negative views of pop music artists while glossing over the essential aspect of their identity: being an artist. There is such a fixation on the lifestyles of these musicians who seem to always be walking a tightrope between the realm of celebrity or musical hoax. But honestly, who could blame them? With the emerging advancements of voice altering systems, it has become a trend for artists to rely on the sound mixing and voice enhancing technology popular in today’s music. It is nearly impossible to turn on any popular music radio station without hearing some level of remixing or voice-changing edits that distract from the true integrity of the musician's voice. In some cases, the mixing is so apparent, and the artist so indistinct, that the song could be performed by virtually anyone with an auto-tune app on their phone. These negative views only endorse the notoriety of the artist, but I think it's time for them to be known (and appreciated) for their true talent. Below are some surprisingly AMAZING songs by today's popular artists that have flown under the radar and deserve some serious recognition.

1. “Who You Love” by John Mayer ft. Katy Perry

Technically, this song belongs to John Mayer, but the vocals from Katy Perry steal the show! Known as a collaborative pop artist, Katy Perry is synonymous for her ‘teenage dream’ lyrical content and fun experimentation with youthful trends. She celebrates bold makeup and clothing styles, and is often featured in dream-like sequences such as floating on clouds or living in a virtual Candyland. This video flips that ‘bubblegum artist’ appearance on its head, as it features John Mayer and Katy Perry in a rustic natural setting sighing adoringly into each other's eyes. The video is simplistic and emphasizes the natural love of real couples, but truly the love of this video is the welcome talent of Katy Perry.

2. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend

Another collaborative effort, except this time Meghan Trainor’s vocals are at the forefront of this R&B fusion. Often critiqued for her adolescent lyrics and overly flirty attempts in music videos, Meghan Trainor is not well received by anyone that regularly listens to the radio. Her hit song “All About That Bass" has been overplayed, parodied, and mocked, which unfortunately correlates to her identity as an artist as well. This song strips down the overplayed and youthful side of falling in love, and rather presents the more adult aspect of losing that love. Her vocals are strong and harmonize perfectly with the silky smooth voice of John Legend, and neither voices are overshadowed by a trendy backbeat.

3. “Cold Case Love” by Rihanna

Equally celebrated and criticized for her unfiltered attitude and musical style, Rihanna is definitely a celebrity in all senses of the word. Ri-Ri is most notable for her high energy, techno-centered musical efforts that feature her being a badass and running the roast, but very rarely do we see a vulnerable side. In this underrated song featured on her 2009 album Rated R, the pop star strips down her vocals and sings from a low place in love. The song is minimal in sound mixing compared to her more popular singles, which gives her truly unique voice a chance to come through. While I don’t think we’ll every see Rihanna switch to acoustics full-time, she more than proves herself as a singer capable of all genres.

4. “Sound Of Music” by Lady Gaga

Okay, so this is not technically an original of Lady Gaga’s, but it is the best example to show anyone who says she doesn’t have talent. Reports claim that Gaga spent six months in preparation for this Oscar performance attempting to replicate the iconic sound of Julie Andrews. All that work and her pre-existing singing talent made this Oscar performance a show stopper.

5. “Lilac Wine” by Miley Cyrus

Nowadays, Miley Cyrus is portrayed in a less-than-positive light in media ever since ending her days at Disney. Her music, personal style, and essential aesthetic toward the industry has shifted from good old country girl to a wild free spirit with an affinity for sticking out her tongue. Her outward appearance and general craziness when performing has sadly distracted her audience away from her genuine talent as a singer. Originally sung by James Shelton, “Lilac Wine” is a soft and whimsical tune better fit for a soul artist like Norah Jones, but it is perfectly covered by Miley. This video was part of the Backyard Sessions, which emphasizes the acoustic and natural sounds of an artist, an unfamiliar setting to see Miley in. However, she more than proves her talent as an artist, and gives us an updated version of a beautifully solemn song.

6. “Riptide” by Taylor Swift

Generally, T-Swift is well received by her fans. However, her heaviest criticism comes from her transition from country star to pop princess. Many people criticize Taylor for abandoning her heartfelt country anthems and switching to the highly stylized world of pop music. Despite her teenage girl fan base staying relatively the same, the content and style of her music has higher energy, greater use of sound mixing, and more techniques that overshadow her natural voice. This Live Lounge cover of "Riptide" shows T-Swift’s natural, unfiltered voice and general talent as a musician.

7. “Resentment” by Beyonce

While Queen B doesn’t face much criticism for her musical stylings, it is always nice to hear her return to her R&B roots and give us a power ballad to sing along to. In “Resentment,” Beyonce delivers a passion-filled anthem so filled with emotion she almost breaks down mid-performance. Beyonce, as an individual, is often placed on a pedestal as being the human embodiment of perfection, yet this song shows a vulnerable side of the star which conjures her most powerful and star-worthy voice.

8. “Save Me” by Nicki Minaj

Originally rising to popularity for her ‘Rapper Barbie’ persona, Nicki Minaj has undergone a major stylistic transformation. In recent years, her music has shifted toward more refined drama, but she remains at the forefront of the female rap game. Her prominence in the rap scene has caused many people to assign her into that specific genre; however, Minaj has a fairly decent singing voice as well. While this song does feature the sound mixing techniques that typically overshadow the artist's voice, it is still an impressive effort from Nicki, who proves she is a force to be reckoned with in both genres.

9. “Give Me One Reason” by Kelly Clarkson

Ever since her appearance on "American Idol," there has been little doubt that Kelly Clarkson can belt it out. However, much of her recent music hides her true abilities. Most of Clarkson’s new songs are following the popular trend of favoring a dance beat over true vocal talent, which has caused many fans to forget her original claim to fame. This cover of Tracy Chapman’s hit single lets Kelly Clarkson return to her roots as a powerhouse of soulful pop music.

Hopefully, this list has opened your mind to the true talent behind commonly critiqued pop artists, and exposed you to some seriously good music. Happy listening!