Project Analysis

Rum & Soda kicks off with smooth guitar licks and a mid-tempo groovy bounce. BNXN delivers muffled, melodic undertones as he reflects on a past relationship, using “rum and soda” as a central metaphor. The line “But the last drink that I ordered, it ain’t sweet like rum and soda” cleverly contrasts the drink’s classic sweetness and fizz with the bitterness of lost love. 

Back Outside — the addictive lead single — features a re-recorded interpolation of Amadou & Mariam’s Malian classic “Ko Neye Mounka Allah La“ by a group of children. BNXN rides the infectious wave of this Bambara-language sample (Malian chants often prove highly addictive when sampled). He flows melodically but somewhat inaudibly/lazily over the children’s chant-heavy chorus. Still, the track’s inherent catchiness carries it and excuses the lighter vocal input from BNXN.

On “Already”, BNXN shifts to more introspective territory, touching on the music hustle, global reputation, the burdens of success, resilience, and self-affirmation. Lines like “I for follow you party, ìṣe mi lo rẹ mi” blend Pidgin and Yoruba effectively. The recurring phrase “I said it already” serves as a multifaceted rhetorical anchor — functioning as both a boast and a spiritual/financial affirmation, “Baba this year make my money plenty, I said it already”. 

Emotional High sees Sarz unlocking a fresh side of BNXN with tropical sounds and electronic sensibilities, while retaining a strong Afro-pop groove. BNXN soars into R&B high notes on the chorus (“Emotional high, emotional high“), with a sensual pre-chorus: “And in this moment, you cut me open, bleeding out / All my emotions…” This stands as one of the project’s most romantic and vulnerable moments. Though the verses are relatively short, BNXN’s pen shines brightest here — a reminder of why he’s frequently praised for top-tier songwriting in contemporary Afrobeats.

Frank Sinatra drifts on piano-driven melodies layered over subtle Afrobeats percussion and Amapiano log drums. BNXN references the legendary Frank Sinatra (1915–1998), known for his smooth “velvet” baritone, to signal brutal honesty: “I will be real, I will be straight, I will be frank / Sinatra.” Instead of generic love songs common in the genre, he anchors the track in metaphor for deeper emotional resonance.

The Verdict