Rarely do I like featuring just beats or beat tapes, unless they really can stand on their own — but most of the time, they sound in need of a rapper to really make them feel complete. Though even when an MC steps on any of their tracks, I’ve failed to write about Fukuoka producer Yasaka In The Sea!, who does some of the better soul-sampling work I’ve heard as of late. That was highlighted by a release last year, well worth your time. Yet Yasaka’s latest track, “I’m Down,” is just a beat, but one that works well all by itself. With just some stretched-out electronics, a bit of piano and a forceful enough beat, Yasaka creates a melancholy number with morphing just enough to stay fresh throughout and keep that emotional tension going. Listen above.
