How I Created an Emotional Vibe Like Rod Wave in “Almost”

Dylan Droll - Almost official cover art for emotional rap single

There’s something about emotional rap production that hits different when you keep it raw. I wanted Almost to feel like something you could cry to, reflect to, and drive through a storm with. That meant dialing in every detail — from the whisper vocals to the acoustic guitar sample, and even the subtle high-pitched female vocal that floats in the background.

If you’ve ever listened to Rod Wave’s “Great Gatsby”, then you know the kind of emotional weight I’m talking about. It’s not just a beat — it’s a feeling. And when I sat down to create Almost, I knew I wanted to bring that same energy, but with my own twist.

🎙️ Vocal Performance & Emotion

I recorded the entire song using a whisper-style vocal delivery — almost like a conversation that never left my head. There’s power in being soft. I leaned into that, using Waves Audio plugins to clean up the takes, bring out subtle breaths, and make sure every word sat in the mix like it belonged.

Dylan Droll performing live on stage — emotional and melodic rap performance

Want to hear the transformation? I posted a full before-and-after video of how I mixed and mastered Almost using Waves plugins on Instagram here.

🎚️ Mixing the Vibe with Waves Plugins

When it comes to vocal mixing in melodic trap, I always start by cleaning up the gain staging. Proper gain staging for rap vocals is everything. From there, I used:

Waves R-Vox for dynamic control
CLA Vocals for that radio-ready presence
H-Delay to create emotional space
R-Comp and SSL E-Channel for punch and clarity

Before and after mixing comparison of Almost by Dylan Droll using Waves Audio plugins

These plugins help create that emo trap vocal chain that feels polished, but still raw enough to cut deep. If you're recording at home and want that sound, I recommend checking out the Waves free trial and building your vocal chain from the ground up.

🎸 Acoustic Guitar Sample + Melancholy Energy

The instrumental was built around a chopped acoustic guitar loop — which is really the heartbeat of the track. I wanted it to feel like it could fit next to Toosii’s “Love Is…” or something from The Kid LAROI’s more emotional side. That blend of chill rap with guitar has this sad but hopeful tension, and I think Almost fits right into that lane.

Mario Judah was another unexpected influence. His emotional intensity, even in distortion-heavy tracks, reminded me not to hold back. Emotion doesn’t always have to sound pretty — it just has to be real.

📀 Listen to the Full Vibe — Playlist + Video

If you're into this kind of emotional, melodic, introspective sound, I put together a playlist that lives in the same emotional universe as Almost. Songs from Rod Wave, The Kid LAROI, Toosii and more — all curated for those late night rides and moments when you need to just feel something.

▶️ Listen to the Emotional Trap / Sad Rap Playlist on Spotify

Emotional trap and sad rap playlist curated by Dylan Droll featuring Rod Wave, The Kid LAROI, and Toosii

Rod Wave – Great Gatsby
Toosii – Love Is…
The Kid LAROI – I GUESS IT’S LOVE?
Dylan Droll – Almost

AND MANY MORE!

Let me know what songs you’d add.

🎥 Watch “Almost” on YouTube

🎧 Tools & Resources for Artists

If you're an artist looking to create this kind of vibe — here’s what I use and recommend:

🃏 Final Thoughts

Almost wasn’t just a song — it was a moment I needed to release. And if it connects with even one person out there? Then I did my job.

If you’re building your sound, trust your emotion. Use the tools that speak to you. And most importantly — tell your story, even if your voice shakes.

— Dylan Droll

Dylan Droll