3mitsu - 26

3mitsu seemed to have a crazy 2023 across a number of solo and collab tapes (from scape to Gex Armour), always growing and refining his sound with each release. Every beat tape seemed to solidify his sound more and more, and on the bonus tracks of the amazing new cakefromhell comp, I didn’t even have to check to know it was mitsu when the beats blasted through my headphones. Having said this, 26 feels like the pinnacle of his sound to date, delivering one incredible loop after the other in a tape that feels totally cohesive and full of intent. His sample selection is always gorgeous, pulling out beautiful slices of soul and rnb, but lacing them with some of the most unique drums I’ve heard in the genre. 3mitsu seems to find particular pockets in the sample I just know I wouldn’t be able to hear on its own, with every kick just slightly off and double-snare hits rolling, always feeling so free-flowing but punchy. It’s an effect that creates a great sense of forward momentum in every beat, and it always has me walking down the street grooving like a Jet Set Radio character. I’ve heard this tape countless times and am always picking up new and interesting details in the songs - with every fluttering hihat or new vocal harmony I hadn’t discovered - a deadset sign of a great album, and I can only hope mitsu returns with another this year!

KEY BEAT: inyourarms - hearing this song in a certain mindset has honestly made me emotional, with a heart-wrenching harmony and constantly skipping rhythm that’s found in spades across the whole project.