Benjamin Kassel
"Toxic," the most unique pop song of this century
Baby, can't you hear? It's nothing like what you expect from an idol like Britney Spears, but it's arguably her biggest hit.
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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.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 30, 20214 min read
"Kill This Love": what a sound, and what a title
Furthermore, the title echoes a message not as frequently heard in the breakup song canon: kill it off now to save yourself the pain later.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 27, 20214 min read
"Love is the Drug," and I'm writing about it again...
...well, I'm writing about this song and band for the first time, but the theme of love and desire is nothing new for me or music at large.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 26, 20214 min read
"Adorn" is classy 10s R&B at its best
Miguel's most successful song is a modern configuration of the genre, with an old-fashioned word at its core.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 16, 20214 min read
Behind the ultra-80s pop of "Love Is a Battlefield" is a powerful message on the reality of romance
Why does it feel like so few songs even remotely touch on the theme of working through relationships?
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.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 12, 20214 min read
Fugees' cover of "Killing Me Softly With His Song" holds its own and then some
In reinterpreting Roberta Flack's soul classic, Lauryn Hill does the heavy lifting, but she's also never alone.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 11, 20214 min read
"Hard to Beat" lives up to its name
It's a shame most Americans don't know this dance-inducing indie/garage gem.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 10, 20214 min read
Is it house? Is it electronica? Is it pop? All I know is that it's "Magnets," and it's awesome.
Disclosure's masterpiece with Lorde has a downright outrageous beat and great lyric / instrumental coordination to drive home its narrative.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 9, 20215 min read
"DEAD RIGHT NOW," a reflection on fake friendship and love in the wake of stardom
One of the many highlights on Lil Nas X's debut album, its personal narrative stands out to me.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 8, 20215 min read
"Grazing in the Grass" has a heck of an origin story and a decade-defining sound
It doesn't get more 60s than how the Friends of Distinction spun an instrumental classic. And how do Zambia and Jim Brown each play a part?
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
Oct 1, 20214 min read
"Dancing in the Moonlight" is the sound of harmless joy and escape...
It's light, it's upbeat... and the context in which it was written definitely explains its sound.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 28, 20214 min read
"Love Me Again" is a love letter to both an old flame and an old sound
John Newman's hit starts slowly, but he soon unleashes its northern soul flavor.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 27, 20214 min read
"Spiderwebs" and the trouble of getting oneself free
This ska punk jam has one of the most unique origin stories for a track I've ever heard — one which makes me question my own life a bit.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 26, 20214 min read
"She's Not There" combines various influences into a stirring pop rock hit
The title of the Zombies' jumpstart single is an answer, but it, along with the rest of the song, only breeds more questions.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 24, 20214 min read
My thoughts on one of my father's favorite songs, "I Think I Love You"
Happy birthday, Dad. Thanks for all your love, guidance, and CDs.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 23, 20214 min read
"Fast Car" isn't the feel-good track some people think it is... or is it?
Tracy Chapman speaks of lost potential, but there might just be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 21, 20216 min read
For my money, "Shining Star" is Earth, Wind & Fire's crowning musical achievement
On the day most associated with the group, I just had to write about them — but I had to do it my way.
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