Album Review: Sapuis – Before I Die
Bronx-born artist Sapuis has released their magnum opus Before I Die – a genre-fluid collection of songs exploring the topic of fulfilling your dreams before the time runs out, something that each of us can connect with. Memento mori!
The album starts with an eponymous track with production that is epic and moody at the same time. It leaves a lot of room for Sapuis's vocals to breathe and showcase all their urgency and vulnerability – with all the little hiccups, whispers and shouts.
We Outside is warm and chill, bringing to mind artists like Ariel Pink and The Internet, with their retro sheen, relaxed guitars and slow, meditative pace.
Bet On Myself is built around cold, transparent key chords, setting the scene for Sapuis to shine, talking about their passion and stamina on the way to the top.
Sunset Drive is notable for its highly energetic percussion loop run through a phaser effect, married with heartwarming guitar chords, and a four-to-the-floor beat.
LFG is lyrically minimalistic – it only has one clear message but it's delivered in such a charismatic way that you can't help but surrender: we only have one life, so let's go!
Taking My Time with its neon-tinged synth arps and pulsing bass is full of 80s vibe. It reminded us of classic French electronic music and the famous sountrack to Stranger Things.
Feel Like boasts a memorable synth part that is highly melodic and alludes to G-funk and probably even jazz fusion, as well as some outstanding personal storytelling.
Take Over showcases a different sound to what we've heard on the album already. Its haunting synth melody and deep bass wouldn't sound out of place on a mainstream cloud rap track. However, Sapuis's urgent and loose-jointed delivery makes this a piece of art and a genre in itself.
ISO is instantly relaxing due to rich piano chords that sound like they come from a classic 70s soul track. The rest of the intrumentation follows this path as well. It sounds... expensive, which totally suits the song's lyrics and Sapuis's confident delivery.
The cleverly titled Part 1, Pt. 2 works somewhat as an interlude due to its expanded instrumental section. The track starts epic and turns minimalistic and intimate with only acoustic guitar by the end.
ME continues where Taking My Time left off, this time aiming for a colder and lonelier vibe, using the 80s sound in a way similar to the approach made popular by The Weeknd.
West Palm Beach is a kaleidoscope of sounds: playful castanets, tasty bass timbre, spooky synths, crisp, heavy drums and relaxed yet catchy rapping that is guranateed to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
BOSS relies on the chill guitar sound that we've already come to love on many of the album's tracks. The busy drums paired with the dreamy chords and licks made us think of Blood Orange.
Dont Let It marries the drama in Sapuis's voice with melodic synths and deep hollow bass, while the closing track JORDANIS SAPUIS introduces psychedelic touches to the picture, concluding the album's message in a beautifully epic way.
Overall, the album stands on its own as a unique piece of art due to the way Sapuis switches from genre to genre with ease and fluidity, always bringing their own relaxed, loose touch and a certain birds-eye-view wisdom to each of the compositions.
The album starts with an eponymous track with production that is epic and moody at the same time. It leaves a lot of room for Sapuis's vocals to breathe and showcase all their urgency and vulnerability – with all the little hiccups, whispers and shouts.
We Outside is warm and chill, bringing to mind artists like Ariel Pink and The Internet, with their retro sheen, relaxed guitars and slow, meditative pace.
Bet On Myself is built around cold, transparent key chords, setting the scene for Sapuis to shine, talking about their passion and stamina on the way to the top.
Sunset Drive is notable for its highly energetic percussion loop run through a phaser effect, married with heartwarming guitar chords, and a four-to-the-floor beat.
LFG is lyrically minimalistic – it only has one clear message but it's delivered in such a charismatic way that you can't help but surrender: we only have one life, so let's go!
Taking My Time with its neon-tinged synth arps and pulsing bass is full of 80s vibe. It reminded us of classic French electronic music and the famous sountrack to Stranger Things.
Feel Like boasts a memorable synth part that is highly melodic and alludes to G-funk and probably even jazz fusion, as well as some outstanding personal storytelling.
Take Over showcases a different sound to what we've heard on the album already. Its haunting synth melody and deep bass wouldn't sound out of place on a mainstream cloud rap track. However, Sapuis's urgent and loose-jointed delivery makes this a piece of art and a genre in itself.
ISO is instantly relaxing due to rich piano chords that sound like they come from a classic 70s soul track. The rest of the intrumentation follows this path as well. It sounds... expensive, which totally suits the song's lyrics and Sapuis's confident delivery.
The cleverly titled Part 1, Pt. 2 works somewhat as an interlude due to its expanded instrumental section. The track starts epic and turns minimalistic and intimate with only acoustic guitar by the end.
ME continues where Taking My Time left off, this time aiming for a colder and lonelier vibe, using the 80s sound in a way similar to the approach made popular by The Weeknd.
West Palm Beach is a kaleidoscope of sounds: playful castanets, tasty bass timbre, spooky synths, crisp, heavy drums and relaxed yet catchy rapping that is guranateed to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
BOSS relies on the chill guitar sound that we've already come to love on many of the album's tracks. The busy drums paired with the dreamy chords and licks made us think of Blood Orange.
Dont Let It marries the drama in Sapuis's voice with melodic synths and deep hollow bass, while the closing track JORDANIS SAPUIS introduces psychedelic touches to the picture, concluding the album's message in a beautifully epic way.
Overall, the album stands on its own as a unique piece of art due to the way Sapuis switches from genre to genre with ease and fluidity, always bringing their own relaxed, loose touch and a certain birds-eye-view wisdom to each of the compositions.