Dance / Electronic

"Galvanize" both pumps me up and gets me dancing

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 30, 20223 min read

"Galvanize" both pumps me up and gets me dancing

The Chemical Brothers' hit mixes elements from both sides of 2000 into one of the most recognizable songs of its time.

"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.

"Enjoy the Silence": fitting music for an ironic title

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 20, 20224 min read

"Enjoy the Silence": fitting music for an ironic title

Depeche Mode's most successful song is an inner monologue, formed in a moment when the outside world is quiet.

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.

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.

"Inner Light" speaks to my anxious self in a re-emerging social climate

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 25, 20225 min read

"Inner Light" speaks to my anxious self in a re-emerging social climate

Elderbrook and Bob Moses' lyrically driven house production has been a personal anthem since I first heard it about half a year ago.

"Digital Love" is my favorite electronic track of all time

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 22, 20225 min read

"Digital Love" is my favorite electronic track of all time

...and I break it down today to pay tribute to the two robots with human souls who made it.

"Intrasport" shouldn't work as well as it does, but I can't stop dancing to it

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 11, 20225 min read

"Intrasport" shouldn't work as well as it does, but I can't stop dancing to it

In complete King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard style, its weirdness only makes it better.

"Say Nothing" does all the talking itself

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 5, 20223 min read

"Say Nothing" does all the talking itself

Flume's new release is chock-full of fascinating details as he plays with time and musical space.

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.

I'd been hoping for a Years & Years collaboration like "Sweet Talker," and it delivered

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 23, 20223 min read

I'd been hoping for a Years & Years collaboration like "Sweet Talker," and it delivered

Olly Alexander finally making a true house track — alongside Galantis — was an excellent decision in the production of his first solo album.

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.

"Sacrifice" is both a dance floor-ready pop anthem and a narrative turning point

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 12, 20225 min read

"Sacrifice" is both a dance floor-ready pop anthem and a narrative turning point

In The Weeknd's newest single, he revels in his old lifestyle one last time before his outlook on love shifts across the rest of the album.

"aNYway" is house formed straight from its disco roots

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 11, 20223 min read

"aNYway" is house formed straight from its disco roots

Duck Sauce create "disco's revenge" by sampling the genre that preceded it, paying tribute to New York in the process.

Carpenter Brut's cover of "Maniac" places the listener inside the mania

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 3, 20224 min read

Carpenter Brut's cover of "Maniac" places the listener inside the mania

A "darksynth" retooling of a 1980s movie soundtrack classic gives the lyrics and title a much more fitting treatment.

"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.

"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.

"I'm Not Alone": a self-reckoning on self-destruction

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 13, 20214 min read

"I'm Not Alone": a self-reckoning on self-destruction

Who knew that a house track could breed such philosophical discussion?

"Dreams" demonstrates the power of recurrence

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 1, 20213 min read

"Dreams" demonstrates the power of recurrence

Gorgon City utilize mediated repetition — particularly of a single element — to create and reinforce their track's titular aura.

Unfortified Castle

Music opinions thrown from a glass house.