Rapid Review of Iman Nunez “Passing By”
Beats – 10/10
Lyrics – 10/10
Concepts- 10/10
Replay Value- 7/10
Vibe Check – 8/10
Iman Nunez “Passing By” Feels Like a Conversation With His Own Mind by NWO Sparrow
On his latest single, Iman Nunez opens up about anxiety, inner voices, and the weight of holding it together
i sat with this record over the weekend because for me it was not a side of Iman Nunez i was used to hearing on a public front. Iman makes my heartbreak playlist, my creative playlist, when im in the mood to zone out and be still, i play iman nunez. this record for me was a bit more introspective than i thought it would be, and that shift is what really made me sit with it longer than usual. it made me listen closer, not just to what he was saying but how he was choosing to say it.
Introspection is not new for iman so let me be clear he has made records like “pressure make diamonds” or “at this moment”, it was just rare that this was a single drop. that is new for me from iman. Usually those records feel like moments you discover within a project, not something that leads the conversation publicly. putting a record like this out front changes how you receive it, because now it carries the weight of being a statement instead of a discovery. it almost feels like he is testing how far his audience is willing to go with him emotionally before the full body of work arrives.
The piano blended intro opens up with Rondon vocals asking “would i survive”? its inviting and keeps you open to whats to follow. That question alone sets the tone for everything that comes after. Iman follows up with “Trynna tap into this shit for my anxiety, only way that i knew i could find a higher me”. Iman opens up the verse vulnerable and collected then he picks up his tone, rhythm and emotion, he leaves his true self in that moment on the first verse. it feels like you are listening to him actively process his thoughts in real time instead of reciting something already resolved.
Iman speaks on navigating his mental space with a bunch voices inside and out of his head trying to give him direction and advice. he is frustrated on the inside but knows to keep his composure on the outside. that balance between internal chaos and external control is what gives the verse its weight. he ends the verse with questioning his own choices before the hook comes back in, and that moment feels intentional, like he is leaving the question open instead of forcing an answer.
Rondon sounds good on the production, he fits it like a beat that came with the hook. he beautifully projects the phrase “life passing by…by what do it really mean”, its stretched but fills in the hook nicely. The way he carries that line gives the record its emotional anchor, it is simple but it lingers. It feels like the kind of hook that sticks with you more for the feeling than the words themselves.
Sol Chyld comes in the second verse very strong “this is my sacrificial land point / i been in my head more than i been on the land sober”. Sol Chyld absolutely shines on her verse and her flow is well crafted over the production. She does not just match the tone, she expands it. her presence adds another layer of perspective to the record, making it feel less like a solo reflection and more like a shared emotional space. I always spoke to Iman Nunez features, he knows how to choose them and that streak doesnt end here. This is another example of him understanding how to build around his sound instead of overcrowding it.
This record is the third in a pipeline of records from his forthcoming project When Will U Call?, this record is produced by André Mego. This record is not bad by any measure its actually well done and produced. I personally just dont go to Iman Nunez for introspection, to his core fans this will be a score and one to download. This record is a piece of a larger play which is the album or ep, and it feels like that is where it will fully make sense. as a standalone, it challenges expectations, but within the context of a full project, it could end up being one of the more necessary moments that ties everything together. it feels like a setup record, something that builds the emotional foundation for what is coming next.
The X Files
Beats – 10/10- The production for this song is solid top to bottom. the piano driven foundation creates a space that allows every voice to breathe while still carrying emotion throughout the record. nothing feels out of place, and the beat never overpowers the message, it supports it perfectly from start to finish.
Lyrics – 10/10 – The lyrics here carries through with concept and delivery here. every artist on this record stays aligned with the theme, and the writing feels intentional. there is no wasted space, everything said contributes to the emotional weight of the record.
Concepts – 10/10 – the concepts has not been done well like this in a while kudos to iman. the idea of exploring internal conflict while maintaining outward composure is executed clearly, and each verse builds on that idea instead of repeating it.
Roll-out – 8/10 – available on all platforms now, video coming soon. the rollout is steady, and placing this as the third record shows intention. it feels like a controlled release strategy leading into the bigger picture of the project.
Replay Value – 7/10 – not what i go to iman for. while the record is strong, it is not something i naturally return to based on my personal connection to his music. however, for listeners who connect with this side of him, this could easily be higher.
Vibe Check – 8/10 – not what i go to iman for. the vibe is consistent and well executed, but it shifts away from the sound i usually associate with him. still, it holds its own and delivers what it sets out to do.
Official Music Video – NA /10
Total Music Score – 8.80 /10
There is something about this record that feels bigger than just the moment. it feels like a signal. Iman Nunez is not just dropping songs, he is shaping a narrative leading into When Will U Call?. Each release feels like a piece of a conversation he is building with his audience, and this one leans into vulnerability in a way that demands attention.
What stands out to me the most is the risk. not in the sense of quality, but in direction. stepping outside of what people expect from you, especially when you have already built a connection with your listeners, is not easy. this record feels like him trusting that his audience will follow him into a deeper space, even if it is not what they initially came for.
If this is what the rollout is building towards, then When Will U Call? might not just be another project, it might be a defining one. this record feels like the emotional groundwork for something more complete, and if the rest of the project continues this level of intention, then this is not just a single, it is a statement.