2010s

"Hail to the King" has always wowed me... and now it also makes me think

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 28, 20223 min read

"Hail to the King" has always wowed me... and now it also makes me think

The tap-filled anthem is one of my 21st-century rock favorites, but its lyrical theming didn't register with me until very recently.

"Papercut": when I realized there was more to electronic music

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 25, 20223 min read

"Papercut": when I realized there was more to electronic music

Zedd's serene house-pop production featuring Troye Sivan was the first track of its kind that impressed me with the greater story it told.

What is the apocalypse in "Dance Apocalyptic"?

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 16, 20223 min read

What is the apocalypse in "Dance Apocalyptic"?

That's a question I've had recently as I've gotten to thinking about just one of Janelle Monáe's show-stopping numbers.

The irony and unity in hearing a crowd singing"Dancing On My Own"

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 13, 20223 min read

The irony and unity in hearing a crowd singing"Dancing On My Own"

Robyn's 2010s-defining hit is narratively unfitting such a response... but deep down, such an act really makes a lot of sense.

As a production, "Otis" has blown me away for more than a decade

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 9, 20224 min read

As a production, "Otis" has blown me away for more than a decade

You don't sample and rap over Otis Redding and get away with it... right? Unless you're Ye and Jay.

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 4, 20223 min read

"Paradigm" is my kind of deep house

CamelPhat are leaders of the style now, and I saw it coming with this 2015 production.

Confronting my past through "This Is Gospel"

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 27, 20225 min read

Confronting my past through "This Is Gospel"

*deep breath* This is a pretty personal piece, but that's because of what this song means and has meant to me.

"The Catalyst" describes how I feel given current events in Ukraine

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 23, 20225 min read

"The Catalyst" describes how I feel given current events in Ukraine

*inhales* *SCREAMS INTERNALLY*

"The A Team"'s singular narrative makes me think deeply about the homelessness I see around Berkeley

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 19, 20223 min read

"The A Team"'s singular narrative makes me think deeply about the homelessness I see around Berkeley

Ed Sheeran's tale of one Angel grapples with connection, addiction, and its subject's all-too-likely fate.

"After the Storm" is a dreamy combo of neo soul and P-Funk

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 16, 20224 min read

"After the Storm" is a dreamy combo of neo soul and P-Funk

Kali Uchis and Tyler, the Creator provide the former feeling, while the latter comes from the space bassist, Bootsy Collins himself.

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 7, 20224 min read

Dissecting why I love "King Kunta"

Kendrick Lamar's funky 2015 single remains a personal favorite for a slew of reasons, many of which come back to what I like in older music.

Close to a decade on, "Caliban's Dream" continues to embody the Olympic spirit

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 4, 20224 min read

Close to a decade on, "Caliban's Dream" continues to embody the Olympic spirit

As Beijing 2022 begins, I return to Underworld's musical setting for the 2012 cauldron lighting.

With "Love on the Brain," Rihanna made doo-wop modern

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 25, 20223 min read

With "Love on the Brain," Rihanna made doo-wop modern

Few pop songs have genuinely surprised me in a positive way on first listen more than today's selection did.

Early 2000s pop punk meets late 2010s future bass in "Good Things Fall Apart"

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 20, 20224 min read

Early 2000s pop punk meets late 2010s future bass in "Good Things Fall Apart"

In hindsight, these styles are perfect for each other — unlike the former relationship the song describes. Bravo, ILLENIUM and Jon Bellion.

"3005" is an inner monologue on "real" friendship and love

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 9, 20223 min read

"3005" is an inner monologue on "real" friendship and love

Through his celebrity lens, Childish Gambino questions the trustworthiness of, frankly, anyone who seems to be a friend in the digital age.

"Next to Me," a standout of 2012 that remains fresh a decade on

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 4, 20223 min read

"Next to Me," a standout of 2012 that remains fresh a decade on

Emeli Sandé's praiseful breakthrough hit is as catchy and singalong-friendly today as it was when she burst onto the scene.

"Call On Me" — but not the one you're probably thinking of — is a call for perseverance

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 2, 20223 min read

"Call On Me" — but not the one you're probably thinking of — is a call for perseverance

Between its beat and its lyrics, Ryan Riback's retouching of Starley's dance-pop number is one of my favorite productions from the late 10s.

DubVision's remix of "Ocean" sonically captures an emotional reunion

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 27, 20214 min read

DubVision's remix of "Ocean" sonically captures an emotional reunion

In examining a complete revamping of a pop production, I think of how stylistic choices can change our perception of a melody and lyrics.

"Am I Wrong" for having not looked into this hit in greater detail before?

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 19, 20213 min read

"Am I Wrong" for having not looked into this hit in greater detail before?

Nico & Vinz were all over the radio in my early teens with this song, but only now did I finally put a closer lens to it.

"Never Forget You" captures the emotions of remembering past friends

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 16, 20215 min read

"Never Forget You" captures the emotions of remembering past friends

The memories will always be there, and Zara Larsson and MNEK's presentation of working through them really resonates with me.

Unfortified Castle

Music opinions thrown from a glass house.