Unfortified Castle

Instrumental, lyrics, and video combine to present Tove Lo as a fragile narrator who tries to remain calm through her sorrow.

It's an excellent pop track on its own, it came with an album announcement, and its message is welcome as I work through internal matters.

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

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

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

In complete King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard style, its weirdness only makes it better.

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

Rex Orange County's new release is a simple indie pop slice that speaks to the drive one gets from valuing themself and their endeavors.

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

I got hooked on Yves Tumor's sound from this track alone and the complex internal war it captures.

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.

A "darksynth" retooling of a 1980s movie soundtrack classic gives the lyrics and title a much more fitting treatment.

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.

The R&B and jazz virtuoso's artistic voice is shaped by multiple iconic inspirations — including some from his hometown.

Gorgon City utilize mediated repetition — particularly of a single element — to create and reinforce their track's titular aura.

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.

Last year, Christine and the Queens delivered a song which became increasingly poignant in the months following its release.

While a departure from their known sound, this highlight from their new album — over a decade in the works — fits the band's character.