Unfortified Castle

Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's duo is my favorite of the multiple songs with this title.

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

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.

Robyn's 2010s-defining hit is narratively unfitting such a response... but deep down, such an act really makes a lot of sense.

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

In hindsight, these styles are perfect for each other — unlike the former relationship the song describes. Bravo, ILLENIUM and Jon Bellion.

Uncommon instruments for pop and a spin on a heartbreak narrative make for an iconic soul number.

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.

Through lead singer Karen O, Yeah Yeah Yeahs find a balance between soft, heartfelt vocals and a powerful alt rock instrumental.

Sia presents a tale of self-reckoning, but also acceptance and ultimately confidence that she can at least healthfully keep her pain inside.

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.

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.

Snail Mail's superb second record begins with a tone-setting build-up and bang.

Few songs haunt like Chris Isaak's signature hit and the unavoidable attraction it describes.

In trying to be productive post-heartbreak, Solange captures the difficulty in resolving to face our most pressing problems.

In a way, Norah Jones presents an alternative perspective on lost love compared to yesterday's post.

Mark Ronson and Camila Cabello combine for an anthem of post-heartbreak grief and processing.

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.