Top 10 Artists with the Best Harmonies

It’s no secret Backstreet Boys are one of the best boy bands of the ‘90s. Their rival group *NSYNC also has beautiful harmonies and a dedicated fanbase. But it was Backstreet who knew how to better distribute their vocal parts. Each member sings with a distinct style that gets equal time in the spotlight. But the best moments always happen when their voices blend together for a heart-tugging chorus. Whether they’re celebrating fans on songs like “Larger Than Life” or making them cry with tracks like “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely,” it’s no wonder they’re still so beloved.

Nobody puts a hypnotic spin on layered harmonies like Imogen Heap. The way she utilizes vocal layering and technology makes her music sound like it comes from another planet. From the first second of songs like “Hide and Seek”, it’s safe to say the listener is transfixed. Her use of pitch-shifting adds an otherworldly texture to an already beautiful song. Not only is she a pioneer of synthpop, but she helped develop the Mi.Mu gloves to enhance live performances for electropop artists like herself. We love a renaissance woman.

There aren’t many artists quite like Billie Eilish. Her subdued and vulnerable singing style all but commands you to pay attention. Even more so when she creates her own vocal harmonies. There’s a siren quality to her wispier tones that enthralls and intoxicates. On slower ballads like “when the party’s over”, her layered harmonies make the song sound even lonelier. She’s an artist who consistently uses her vocal technique and production to enhance her storytelling. It just goes to show Eilish’s attention to detail is as much part of her identity as her iconic baggy clothes and dry sense of humor.

If there’s one word to describe the average Little Mix chorus, it’s “explosive”. From their “X Factor” days to their hiatus, the group’s unique blend of vulnerability, confidence, and sheer vocal talent made them a powerhouse of pop music. Whether they were getting a guy out of their hair or shouting out their ex, each of the girls created a wall of sound with their stunning four-part harmonies. Even after member Jesy Nelson left the group in 2020, the remaining trio continued to create a three-part harmony just as beautiful.

Beyoncé may be Destiny Child’s breakout star, but some of the group’s best moments came when her voice blended seamlessly with bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland. They carried the torch for independent women with tracks like “Say My Name” and “Bills, Bills, Bills” – not to mention the unstoppable harmony at the end of their 1999 hit “Survivor”. If there was ever a group who knew how to put a trifling man in his place, it was Destiny’s Child. The trio has reunited a couple of times since their breakup in 2006, and they kill it every time.

There’s no denying it, darling. Mariah Carey has one of the most impressive and jaw-droppingly beautiful voices in modern music. This elite status was well earned by the acrobatic use of her five-octave register on hits like “Dreamlover”, “Emotions”, “We Belong Together”, and so many more. She’s also a renowned perfectionist, which explains how she strikes gold every time her vocals are layered to create showstopping harmonies. Carey experienced personal and career setbacks in 2001 with “Glitter”, but she bounced back stronger than ever with 2005’s “The Emancipation of Mimi”. Guinness World Records christened her the “Songbird Supreme”, and we can’t think of anyone more deserving of that title.

Who needs backup singers when you can layer your harmonies like Ariana Grande? Her theater background shines through when you listen to how full and precise her layered vocals are. She can belt in her higher and lower registers with equal grandeur and control. In both cases, it’s likely to cause some goosebumps. On top of that, she always makes it look so easy and fun. Grande has found herself in her fair share of scandals, but it seems no amount of public or personal drama can stop her. She’d probably just use it to make another hit record like 2019’s “thank u, next” or 2024’s “Eternal Sunshine”.

If they haven’t already, fans of classic R&B and girl groups alike should get to know FLO. Members Stella Quaresma and Renée Downer met while attending Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. After they found Jorja Douglas singing on Instagram, they got to work writing music inspired by groups like Destiny’s Child and The Sugababes. If that’s not impressive enough, just listen to how intricate these harmonies get. Their debut single “Cardboard Box” is just one example that showcases this tenacious trio’s talent and star power. When their debut album “Access All Areas” was released, it became clear they were on another level with their talent and craft.

There really wasn’t any musical group in the 70s quite like the Carpenters. This brother and sister duo produced some of the sweetest harmonies of the decade. While they had a reputation for being wholesome and family-friendly, they showed their more experimental side on their 1977 album “Passage”. It’s not one of their better known records, but it’s still a prime example of the magic made when the duo sang in perfect harmony. It didn’t matter if they were performing an upbeat tune like “Top of the World” or a heartbreaking ballad like “Superstar”. Somehow, they always made it feel like they were singing just for you.

This five-piece acapella supernova has been wowing audiences with their intricate arrangements and spine-tingling harmonies for over a decade. Singing without instruments is one thing, but the members of Pentatonix are unmatched when it comes to creating instrumental sounds with just their voices. Their Daft Punk medley proved they could flawlessly mimic electronic production. And no Christmas playlist is complete without their versions of staples like “Mary, Did You Know?” or “Carol of the Bells”. Their collaborations with artists like Lindsey Stirling, Dolly Parton, and K-Pop group ATEEZ further cement the group’s versatility and staying power.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentatonix




Which artist do you think has the best vocal harmony? Let us know down in the comments.