2010s 2/2

Thanks to its synth pad, "Let Me Touch Your Fire" narratively leans into its title

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 9, 20213 min read

Thanks to its synth pad, "Let Me Touch Your Fire" narratively leans into its title

A R I Z O N A sonically track their narrator's heart opening up as they unexpectedly feel love.

On the calm disco-like indie pop of "Sit Next to Me"

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 4, 20213 min read

On the calm disco-like indie pop of "Sit Next to Me"

...and the marching band rendition of the track I heard tonight.

"Hold On" gives me the motivation I need this time of year

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 2, 20213 min read

"Hold On" gives me the motivation I need this time of year

Alabama Shakes strike a beautiful balance between the deeply personal and the globally applicable in the narrative of their debut single.

"Elastic Heart," a story of not losing oneself after heartbreak

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 27, 20214 min read

"Elastic Heart," a story of not losing oneself after heartbreak

Sia presents a tale of self-reckoning, but also acceptance and ultimately confidence that she can at least healthfully keep her pain inside.

Few modern instrumentals capture me like "Bloodflow" does

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 23, 20213 min read

Few modern instrumentals capture me like "Bloodflow" does

Grandbrothers blur the boundary between classical and electronic worlds with this powerful, piano-driven production.

"Someone To You" and the effects of the simple desire to be loved

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 20, 20213 min read

"Someone To You" and the effects of the simple desire to be loved

BANNERS displays the longing for a feeling he may not really know... but the way he does it is compelling.

"Tear It Down" and the art of crafting a true sonic narrative in dance music

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 17, 20214 min read

"Tear It Down" and the art of crafting a true sonic narrative in dance music

The Aston Shuffle expertly execute a slow, but sure build, capping it off with the most satisfying release in the final break.

The three-part artistic origin of "50 Ways to Say Goodbye"

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 13, 20214 min read

The three-part artistic origin of "50 Ways to Say Goodbye"

I discuss a trio influences that lie behind one of my favorite songs from nearly a decade ago.

Getting up from your "Falls" is what counts

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 8, 20214 min read

Getting up from your "Falls" is what counts

With a more restrained, yet emotive break, ODESZA reminded me that nothing is to be gained from wallowing in one's pessimism.

"Pursuit" captures how I want Halloween to sound

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 31, 20215 min read

"Pursuit" captures how I want Halloween to sound

The industrial instrumental's dark, chilling nature makes it a great fit for the holiday — but it also isn't exclusively an October track.

"Kill This Love": what a sound, and what a title

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 30, 20214 min read

"Kill This Love": what a sound, and what a title

Furthermore, the title echoes a message not as frequently heard in the breakup song canon: kill it off now to save yourself the pain later.

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 26, 20214 min read

"Adorn" is classy 10s R&B at its best

Miguel's most successful song is a modern configuration of the genre, with an old-fashioned word at its core.

On "Cranes in the Sky" and attempting to break free from a cycle of distractions

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 18, 20214 min read

On "Cranes in the Sky" and attempting to break free from a cycle of distractions

In trying to be productive post-heartbreak, Solange captures the difficulty in resolving to face our most pressing problems.

Is it house? Is it electronica? Is it pop? All I know is that it's "Magnets," and it's awesome.

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 10, 20214 min read

Is it house? Is it electronica? Is it pop? All I know is that it's "Magnets," and it's awesome.

Disclosure's masterpiece with Lorde has a downright outrageous beat and great lyric / instrumental coordination to drive home its narrative.

"Find U Again" is a masterpiece of unwanted loneliness

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 4, 20215 min read

"Find U Again" is a masterpiece of unwanted loneliness

Mark Ronson and Camila Cabello combine for an anthem of post-heartbreak grief and processing.

"Love Me Again" is a love letter to both an old flame and an old sound

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 28, 20214 min read

"Love Me Again" is a love letter to both an old flame and an old sound

John Newman's hit starts slowly, but he soon unleashes its northern soul flavor.

Atonement involves recognizing my “Dark Necessities”

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 15, 20215 min read

Atonement involves recognizing my “Dark Necessities”

Yom Kippur offers me the opportunity to reflect as I bare my soul in the hope of bettering myself.

“Burn the Witch” soundtracks yet another harrowing election day in my mind

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 14, 20216 min read

“Burn the Witch” soundtracks yet another harrowing election day in my mind

I hate that this beautiful song is the one that jumps out to me as fitting today’s mood, but that's how I'm feeling.

"Lights" instantly threw me back a decade when I heard it, and I both did and didn't mind that

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 12, 20214 min read

"Lights" instantly threw me back a decade when I heard it, and I both did and didn't mind that

Sometimes you forget how much you love a song until you hear it for the first time in years. Thanks to autoplay, this is one of those songs.

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 1, 20214 min read

"Here," the anti-party party song

Thank you, Alessia Cara, for providing a perspective to which I can so easily relate.

Unfortified Castle

Music opinions thrown from a glass house.