Unfortified Castle

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

...as is pretty much every Rage Against The Machine song.

Simply put, it's N.E.R.D — that says more than any genre label.

The ever-excellent band combine classic rock influences with their modern indie sound on a recent single.

My old System of a Down favorite is extreme in its timbral changes, but musically consistent — a recipe for an intense, engaging listen.

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

Their title track from last summer's EP has an unavoidable gravitas as it speaks to the fallout the innocent suffer from war.

Is it cool? (Is it cool?) I don't know, but it's February 14, and it feels right.

As I've done twice before, I pay tribute to a recently deceased musician by looking back at one of their works.

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

It's also just a plain good song from a band that, yes, isn't just a meme.

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.

It's hard to pull off an energetic downward tempo shift, but that's exactly what Franz Ferdinand did, and I love it.

Rex Orange County's new release is a simple indie pop slice that speaks to the drive one gets from valuing themself and their endeavors.

I examine why Kate Bush's work stands out from that of her contemporaries through one of her most successful songs in the mainstream.

I got hooked on Yves Tumor's sound from this track alone and the complex internal war it captures.

I was first drawn to this Smiths track by its odd form, but with every listen, I feel a deeper connection to the lyrics and their setting.

In Olivia Rodrigo's smash summer hit, I hear what may be an inflection point for pop music in terms of sound and the business of crediting.

The nostalgia the Smashing Pumpkins evoke isn't rose-colored, but that's fine, if not good; it means their song helps me honestly reflect.

Labelle's smash hit is so catchy because nearly every individual element is infectiously memorable on its own.