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"Papercut": when I realized there was more to electronic music

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 25, 20223 min read

"Papercut": when I realized there was more to electronic music

Zedd's serene house-pop production featuring Troye Sivan was the first track of its kind that impressed me with the greater story it told.

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 11, 20223 min read

"Stars": searching for an answer

I reflect on a song I had trouble finding which itself asks a question of its lyrical subject in light of infatuation.

"Wild" is yet another success from Spoon

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 3, 20223 min read

"Wild" is yet another success from Spoon

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

"Inner Light" speaks to my anxious self in a re-emerging social climate

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 25, 20225 min read

"Inner Light" speaks to my anxious self in a re-emerging social climate

Elderbrook and Bob Moses' lyrically driven house production has been a personal anthem since I first heard it about half a year ago.

On "Dirt," Keane are true to themselves as they decry an all-too-familiar conflict

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 15, 20224 min read

On "Dirt," Keane are true to themselves as they decry an all-too-familiar conflict

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

I'd been hoping for a Years & Years collaboration like "Sweet Talker," and it delivered

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 23, 20223 min read

I'd been hoping for a Years & Years collaboration like "Sweet Talker," and it delivered

Olly Alexander finally making a true house track — alongside Galantis — was an excellent decision in the production of his first solo album.

"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.

"Call On Me" — but not the one you're probably thinking of — is a call for perseverance

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 2, 20223 min read

"Call On Me" — but not the one you're probably thinking of — is a call for perseverance

Between its beat and its lyrics, Ryan Riback's retouching of Starley's dance-pop number is one of my favorite productions from the late 10s.

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.

I come to Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" in my own time of pain

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 24, 20214 min read

I come to Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" in my own time of pain

It's a powerful reminder of the wide-ranging consequences of not taking care of oneself.

"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.

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.

The whole of "Shook Ones, Pt. II" is far greater than the sum of its parts

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 16, 20214 min read

The whole of "Shook Ones, Pt. II" is far greater than the sum of its parts

From insane samples to hard-hitting rhymes and a splash of motivation, Mobb Deep's signature track is an all-time great rap cut.

"Pursuit" captures how I want Halloween to sound

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 31, 20215 min read

"Pursuit" captures how I want Halloween to sound

The industrial instrumental's dark, chilling nature makes it a great fit for the holiday — but it also isn't exclusively an October track.

"Kiss from a Rose" yields a momentary, yet troubling warmth

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 25, 20214 min read

"Kiss from a Rose" yields a momentary, yet troubling warmth

Much more than a movie ballad, Seal's signature song deals with a duality between love and addiction for its entire duration.

The song's called "Rainy Night in Georgia," but tonight it fits the mood in Berkeley just as well

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 24, 20214 min read

The song's called "Rainy Night in Georgia," but tonight it fits the mood in Berkeley just as well

Just as much as music has the ability to transport oneself to another place and time, it can also further ground you in your present surroun

"You Keep Me Hangin' On," the pinnacle track from the pinnacle of girl groups

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!

As we're often painfully reminded, "Time" only moves forward

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 13, 20214 min read

As we're often painfully reminded, "Time" only moves forward

Alan Parsons and company tenderly embrace this fact in a song that can soundtrack the end of many things.

"Glory Days" and why it shouldn't be played at baseball games

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 7, 20214 min read

"Glory Days" and why it shouldn't be played at baseball games

...ehh, who cares? Enough people have already misheard it that it doesn't even matter.

"Don't Know Why" and the calmer, number side of heartbreak

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.