Benjamin Kassel
"Where is the Love": seventies soul done right
Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's duo is my favorite of the multiple songs with this title.
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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.
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.
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.
Benjamin Kassel
Feb 5, 20223 min read
"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.
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 28, 20213 min read
"The Tears of a Clown" is unique in a profoundly Motown way
Uncommon instruments for pop and a spin on a heartbreak narrative make for an iconic soul number.
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
Dec 8, 20213 min read
"Maps," fragile yet simultaneously rocking
Through lead singer Karen O, Yeah Yeah Yeahs find a balance between soft, heartfelt vocals and a powerful alt rock instrumental.
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 5, 20214 min read
"Valentine" excels as an album opener
Snail Mail's superb second record begins with a tone-setting build-up and bang.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 22, 20214 min read
The soft but captivating "Wicked Game" set the stage for the modern 'love song'
Few songs haunt like Chris Isaak's signature hit and the unavoidable attraction it describes.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 18, 20214 min read
On "Cranes in the Sky" and attempting to break free from a cycle of distractions
In trying to be productive post-heartbreak, Solange captures the difficulty in resolving to face our most pressing problems.
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 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.
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