On the new installment in his collaborative EP series, Sarz challenges BNXN creatively to good results.
It’s been five years since Sarz tapped Obongjayar for Sweetness, a masterclass in Afro-R&B doused in EDM fusion. He’s released two albums since then, one being the obligatory Sarz academy project and his full blown debut album, but it’s been a while he met another artiste halfway on something of a sonically experimental EP.
Sarz has a reputation when it comes to this territory and it’s solely because of the fact that every EP of his has a distinct sonic identity, something his debut album was notably lacking. This EP isn’t any different and Sarz specifically crafts this soundscape with BNXN in mind. The singer loves his midtempo Afro-pop, R&B and Garage templates to death and Sarz amplifies the pulse of the production to his strengths, while also whipping out dynamic deliveries from him.
Quixotic classical guitar strings and heavy swing drums open the sensual mood on Rum & Soda, where BNXN likens the chemistry brewing between him and his lover to the song’s title. He’s self aware that he’s indulging a free-spirited woman who won’t stick around for long and only begs that she keep the things they shared sacred and not show some other man. It’s a solid song with a great hook propped up by two competent verses.
Back Outside is mostly carried by the ingenious interpolation of Amadou & Mariam’s Ko Neye Mounka Allah La and the touch of having children choral vocals be the focal point? Brilliant conceptualization that can only be conceived by a veteran and prodigious talent like Sarz. It’s fine margins like this that defines great music and BNXN’s minimalist approach fits like a glove here, letting the best parts of the song bresthe.
Already heads into that Garage fusion soundscape that is BNXN’s bread and butter and he doesn’t pull his punches. Throughout the song, he explains his hesitance to go all in on the life on the fast lane when he knows it’s all fickle, opting to double down on his work since it’s what merited his success in the first place. On the second verse, he snaps and indulges in some healthy braggadocio and usurps the moment to indeed attest to the fact that the game needs him.
It can’t be a BNXN project without an R&B deep cut and Emotional High doesn’t dissapoint. You can always expect profound, resonant writing from him on his emotive love songs but he takes his vocal performance to heights he rarely does and hits an high that justifies the song’s title. Frank Sinatra has BNXN feeling jaded after doling out all of his love on the preceding track, despite knowing “nothing lasts forever.”
Maybe he’s genuinely shocked his love interest left in spite of everything, or he’s just a masochist who loves the pain. Either way, he’s fighting a losing battle by complaining about her antics because it’s pixel clear that she’s checked out and is no longer emotionally invested. Starting the EP with a lover’s chemistry that could be likened to Rum & Soda, and ending it with a spat that leaves a bitter taste on both lovers tongues is such a resonant full circle moment for love in this generation, that makes for potent thematic cohesion.
The Game Needs Us is nowhere near Sarz’ best collaborative EP effort with an artiste but it’s solid nonetheless and one of 2026’s best offerings, so far. BNXN’s name also comes first, so it’s safe to assume it was the veteran producer that was recruited for this project and it makes so much sense because the soundscape is undeniably BNXN’s However, hats off to Sarz also because he got BNXN out of his comfort zone for a small bit, which is exactly what he’s needed for a while.
Final Verdict:
Sonic Cohesion: 1.5/2
Expansive Production: 1.5/2
Songwriting: 1.6/2
Delivery: 1.6/2
Track Sequencing: 1.5/2
Total: 7.7/10
