Benjamin Kassel
"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.
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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.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 26, 20214 min read
Turning a critical ear to "good 4 u," one of 2021's standout pop tracks
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.
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.
Benjamin Kassel
Nov 22, 20214 min read
From Adele to her son and within herself, "My Little Love" presents a grappling with divorce
A standout from her new record, the string-guided track breaks new ground for Adele in just how personal she allows her narrative to be.
Benjamin Kassel
Nov 12, 20215 min read
The 10-minute version of "All Too Well" is a pop magnum opus
10 minutes, 13 seconds. 111 lines of lyrics. It's a daunting feat to attempt, but Taylor Swift passed her own test with flying colors.
Benjamin Kassel
Nov 7, 20213 min read
"96 Tears": Grounded in its time, or anticipatory of rock's future?
Its sound as as mid-60s as you can get, but its perspective might lend itself to being a forerunner of more contemporary movements.
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 16, 20214 min read
Behind the ultra-80s pop of "Love Is a Battlefield" is a powerful message on the reality of romance
Why does it feel like so few songs even remotely touch on the theme of working through relationships?
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 14, 20214 min read
"You Keep Me Hangin' On," the pinnacle track from the pinnacle of girl groups
Motown meets wall of sound meets breakup angst meets— wait, this song has an actual ending? Sick!
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 5, 20214 min read
"Don't Know Why" and the calmer, number side of heartbreak
In a way, Norah Jones presents an alternative perspective on lost love compared to yesterday's post.
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.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 26, 20214 min read
"She's Not There" combines various influences into a stirring pop rock hit
The title of the Zombies' jumpstart single is an answer, but it, along with the rest of the song, only breeds more questions.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 19, 20215 min read
"Sweetness" and the power of "whoa"
The most powerful and catchiest vocal lines don't necessarily need words.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 17, 20215 min read
On "Love Rears Its Ugly Head," its opening sample, and the reading they provide together
A standout track of the early 90s is even more intriguing when one applies the context of its introduction to the rest of the track.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 7, 20214 min read
"Little L" sounds like a happy, groovy jam until you parse the lyrics
On a down day where little seemed to go right for me, a healthy dose of house-like funk temporarily lifted my spirits.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 2, 20214 min read
Dua Lipa says "We're Good" and means it
News flash, singers: Breakups can be calm.
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