Sapient has been at this for a while now, so when he comes out with new music, the expectations are pretty high considering he has more experience than most of his contemporaries. However, with that time spent comes incredible skill, and when you combine that with his natural talent for beats and poetry, it's a fair bet that whatever he releases is going to be impressive. In this case, it's "Gone DEFCON" that has caught out ears, and it's a solid blend of experimental production work and clever lyrics. The beat is quite minimal, and there are some sounds that he's mixed in that you'd definitely not expect to be there, but, unsurprisingly, nothing feels out of place when heard within the context of the completed song. There's also a sensed darkness that the Portland-based rapper weaves in, and though it's subtle, it's apparent enough to give the single an edge to it that goes a long way towards making the track as unique as it is. There are rappers out there who strive to put out music that will shock you with the content and hard-hitting beats, but too often people forget you can achieve that same sense of awe with much less. If handled correctly, a more refined sound can be just as impactful, and that's exactly the kind of sound that Sapient has harnessed in "Gone DEFCON". It's a laid-back affair that gets bigger every time you listen to it, and the quality of his storytelling skills is right up there with the best of them. We're digging the track for all those reasons, and are definitely excited to see what else comes about on his forthcoming album, Eaters Vol. 2: Light Tiger.
Sapient