Pop

Benjamin Kassel

Apr 4, 20223 min read

The contained emotion of "How Long"

Instrumental, lyrics, and video combine to present Tove Lo as a fragile narrator who tries to remain calm through her sorrow.

"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" is Bacharach and David at their collaborative best

Benjamin Kassel

Apr 3, 20223 min read

"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" is Bacharach and David at their collaborative best

And Dionne Warwick's light, polished vocal performance takes the onetime show tune to the next level.

"Love It If We Made It": a single point of light in the darkness of modernity

Benjamin Kassel

Apr 2, 20224 min read

"Love It If We Made It": a single point of light in the darkness of modernity

The chorus of the 1975’s nihilist 2018 lead single provides the only thought of relief… but how relieving is it?

"Disco 2000" speaks beyond its titular year

Benjamin Kassel

Apr 1, 20223 min read

"Disco 2000" speaks beyond its titular year

Pulp’s song — framed around a future that’s become the past — makes me grapple with my understanding of time unlike any other.

"Never Gonna Give You Up": the perfect song for a worldwide day of pranks

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 31, 20223 min read

"Never Gonna Give You Up": the perfect song for a worldwide day of pranks

Does it count as a rickroll if you’re told right away?

"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.

OneRepublic's original cut of "Apologize" remains a sentimental favorite

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 21, 20223 min read

OneRepublic's original cut of "Apologize" remains a sentimental favorite

My 210th Senior Year Soundtrack selection is a staple of 2000s pop... sort of.

"Tainted Love": a cover that defined the 80s sound

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 20, 20223 min read

"Tainted Love": a cover that defined the 80s sound

Soft Cell weren't the originators of this song, new wave, or synth-pop, but their take on Gloria Jones set the stage for a decade of music.

"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.

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.

"It Gets Dark" is a welcome new release in multiple ways

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 12, 20224 min read

"It Gets Dark" is a welcome new release in multiple ways

It's an excellent pop track on its own, it came with an album announcement, and its message is welcome as I work through internal matters.

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 11, 20223 min read

"Stars": searching for an answer

I reflect on a song I had trouble finding which itself asks a question of its lyrical subject in light of infatuation.

I appreciate "Day 'n' Nite" now more than I ever did before

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 2, 20224 min read

I appreciate "Day 'n' Nite" now more than I ever did before

I only came around to hip hop a few years ago, but more recent developments make it resonate with me even more now.

"Could It Be Magic": From Chopin to Manilow — with a slight detour

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 1, 20223 min read

"Could It Be Magic": From Chopin to Manilow — with a slight detour

This site is dedicated to discussion of popular music, but explaining today's choice necessitates a flashback to the Romantic era.

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.

"I'm So Excited" has a lot going on under its surface

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 26, 20223 min read

"I'm So Excited" has a lot going on under its surface

The Pointer Sisters' eternally catchy hit is more than meets the ear.

"Message in a Bottle": togetherness... in loneliness?

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 24, 20223 min read

"Message in a Bottle": togetherness... in loneliness?

As weird as that sounds, that's exactly how Sting positions his lyrics in one of the Police's many timeless hits.

"I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow" (All of My Life)... the title speaks for itself

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 17, 20223 min read

"I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow" (All of My Life)... the title speaks for itself

It's a somewhat confusing song by a band with a somewhat confusing name: The The. How fitting.

"Cruel Summer" fits the mood during a heatwave

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 10, 20223 min read

"Cruel Summer" fits the mood during a heatwave

...which, through yesterday's post, I may have caused. Sorry, folks. But enjoy Bananarama regardless.

Unfortified Castle

Music opinions thrown from a glass house.