beat | Unfortified Castle

Benjamin Kassel

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

I appreciate "Day 'n' Nite" now more than I ever did before

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

Benjamin Kassel

"I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow" (All of My Life)... the title speaks for itself

It's a somewhat confusing song by a band with a somewhat confusing name: The The. How fitting.

Benjamin Kassel

"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.

Benjamin Kassel

"Am I Wrong" for having not looked into this hit in greater detail before?

Nico & Vinz were all over the radio in my early teens with this song, but only now did I finally put a closer lens to it.

Benjamin Kassel

Tommy Roe's key changes make me "Dizzy"

...but the song has more than just that to offer. It ends up lending itself to a discussion on risk taking in pop writing and production.

Benjamin Kassel

"Tear It Down" and the art of crafting a true sonic narrative in dance music

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

Benjamin Kassel

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.

Benjamin Kassel

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.