This is an ambitious concept for a song, one that could very easily fall apart if the execution is even slightly lacking. Fortunately for us (and Alden) he successfully threaded the needle.
Why We Like It: Yury’s “have to.”
Yury wields good vocal layering and different deliveries throughout the track, but ultimately what makes this song special is the beat he crafted and mixed, and how perfectly his sparse vocals complement it.
Why We Like It: Broken Pen’s “It’s Like That”
Pen and Siimba’s deliveries provide contrast and personality to an enchanting soundscape that hinges on the recurring vocal sample from Mia Gladstone. After several listens, there’s just something about this song that pulls you back into it.
Why We Like It: Ay Wing’s “Drive By”
The levels and mix on “Drive By” are perfect – particularly with her vocals – and the song’s hook seems genuinely timeless. I don’t often say this, but it’s honestly very difficult for me to pin down just one or two specifics that I like about this track.
April Spotlight: Pivot Gang’s You Can’t Sit With Us
Check out our 20 “Essential & Unheard” tracks from April, and read on for a spotlight on our stand-out artist of the month: PIVOT GANG.
Why We Like It: Froya’s “Halloumi Honey”
As a self-producing, self-engineering artist, Froya creates a cohesive sonic terrain built on throbbing bass, airy synths, and dynamic percussion as it builds toward climax.
Why We Like It: Unknown Culture’s “Janus”
“Janus” features a dynamic but understated beat that is made for one purpose: to showcase their bars. The two balance witty wordplay with substantive, meaningful bars from beginning to end.
Why We Like It: BLUE LAB BEATS’ “HI THERE”
These guys are serious musicians who intimately understand balance, rhythm, and melody. There’s a reason that this song is the first fully instrumental track we’ve showcased on CentralSauce.
Why We Like It: Shyland Flowers’ “Gone When the Sun Comes Up”
The most fascinating aspect of this song is how it morphs and evolves during the verses to an atmospheric, industrial vignette that would leave most rappers clueless. But this is where Shyland Flowers shines: his flows ground an unstructured soundscape, providing an edge that makes this song a singular experience.
Why We Like It: JxSTILL’s “COME THRU”
From the second you press play on this song, JxSTILL’s lyrics and his effortless melodic delivery take center stage.
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