Benjamin Kassel
"Sacrifice" is both a dance floor-ready pop anthem and a narrative turning point
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.
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Benjamin Kassel
Dec 26, 20214 min read
Turning a critical ear to "good 4 u," one of 2021's standout pop tracks
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.
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 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
Sep 29, 20214 min read
"My Head and My Heart" places a Eurodance classic into a new, house-based context
Ava Max demonstrates how to build up from a sample, creating new material in a different style while also not losing sight of the original.
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 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 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 13, 20214 min read
"Unknown Song" captures my present anxieties and questions, then tries to answer them
As the track oscillates between major and minor sections, I try to allay my fears. Do I succeed?
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