chords | Unfortified Castle 2/2

"Next to Me," a standout of 2012 that remains fresh a decade on

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 4, 20223 min read

"Next to Me," a standout of 2012 that remains fresh a decade on

Emeli Sandé's praiseful breakthrough hit is as catchy and singalong-friendly today as it was when she burst onto the scene.

"Don't Look Back In Anger" is my New Year's Eve anthem

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 31, 20214 min read

"Don't Look Back In Anger" is my New Year's Eve anthem

Move over, "Imagine" — Oasis provide the perfect soundtrack to changing calendars.

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.

"Life on Mars?": or, when Bowie outdid Frankie

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 17, 20215 min read

"Life on Mars?": or, when Bowie outdid Frankie

I celebrate and tell the story of my very favorite track from the Starman on the golden anniversary of its initial release.

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 11, 20214 min read

Tommy Roe's key changes make me "Dizzy"

...but the song has more than just that to offer. It ends up lending itself to a discussion on risk taking in pop writing and production.

"Let Me Love You," a beautiful 21st-century ballad with a lot going on under its surface

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 30, 20215 min read

"Let Me Love You," a beautiful 21st-century ballad with a lot going on under its surface

Mario's signature song may seem simple at first, but closer inspection reveals several largely small, but impactful changes throughout.

"Toxic," the most unique pop song of this century

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 24, 20214 min read

"Toxic," the most unique pop song of this century

Baby, can't you hear? It's nothing like what you expect from an idol like Britney Spears, but it's arguably her biggest hit.

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.

"96 Tears": Grounded in its time, or anticipatory of rock's future?

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.

"Second Chance" shows the power of paying attention to the little things as much as the big picture

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 25, 20216 min read

"Second Chance" shows the power of paying attention to the little things as much as the big picture

It sounds like a lot of tracks from its era, but its creators' attention to detail and its dramatic but relatable lyrics make it stand out.

"Fast Car" isn't the feel-good track some people think it is... or is it?

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 23, 20214 min read

"Fast Car" isn't the feel-good track some people think it is... or is it?

Tracy Chapman speaks of lost potential, but there might just be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 20, 20215 min read

Is an everyman a "Parasite"?

Nick Drake presents the difficulty of looking past the negativity that lies on the world's surface.

Silk Sonic "Skate" us back in time a half-century with buttery smoothness

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 9, 20215 min read

Silk Sonic "Skate" us back in time a half-century with buttery smoothness

In a pop scene inundated with 80s throwbacks, a tribute to the early 70s is a breath of fresh air and then some.