Babyxsosa doesn’t need words to sing how you’re feeling

Rap Blog is a weekly showcase of a standout rap song.

Surf Gang alumna and pluggnb princess-turned-scene queen Babyxsosa is back with the hotly anticipated BABYONCE. Splitting the difference between last summer’s industrial rave EP, BLING BLING, and the Autotune ballads of last fall’s Babyxsosa, her 15-minute debut album will likely frustrate fans of her biggest hits: “Everywhereigo,” “DRAMA BABY / MALIBU,” “Throw It.” But Sosa’s liquid tones remain a perfect vehicle to channel the rising tide of emotions in her music.

The album’s throbbing peak is the breakup anthem “WAKE UP NEXT TO EACHOTHER,” which staples handclaps to a rumbling synthline as Sosa wistfully reminisces. “We were supposed to spend the whole summerrrr,” she sighs, “Togetherrrr / foreverrrrr.” Babyxsosa remains a preternatural melodist, capable of carving an unpredictable topline over just about any instrumental. BABYONCE enlists frequent collaborator nightfeelings (“HELICOPTER;” “Never Know/Viral”) behind the boards, and he kindles a slow-burning groove that builds and breaks around Sosa’s unworded vocal runs. Sometimes, the thing you’re trying to capture just can’t be denoted by language; the particulars of a broken promise matter less than how it makes you feel.