Unfortified Castle

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

Depeche Mode's most successful song is an inner monologue, formed in a moment when the outside world is quiet.

Outkast's magnum opus has taken on quite an interesting life since its 2000 release.

CamelPhat are leaders of the style now, and I saw it coming with this 2015 production.

I only came around to hip hop a few years ago, but more recent developments make it resonate with me even more now.

*inhales* *SCREAMS INTERNALLY*

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

The Temper Trap's indie anthem soundtracks a nostalgia-driven afternoon walk in the aftermath of classes restarting.

In The Weeknd's newest single, he revels in his old lifestyle one last time before his outlook on love shifts across the rest of the album.

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.

In examining a complete revamping of a pop production, I think of how stylistic choices can change our perception of a melody and lyrics.

The memories will always be there, and Zara Larsson and MNEK's presentation of working through them really resonates with me.

Who knew that a house track could breed such philosophical discussion?

The Aston Shuffle expertly execute a slow, but sure build, capping it off with the most satisfying release in the final break.

And to what exactly are we supposed to hold on? Well, the answer is... a lot of things.

It's a shame most Americans don't know this dance-inducing indie/garage gem.