Fresh off of the success of his 2023 collaborative album, SCARING THE HOES, with fellow experimental hip-hop pioneer Danny Brown, JPEGMAFIA (or Peggy for short) has released his 5th solo album, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU. Having built a cult following through his unique ability to entirely reinvent his sound on each record without sacrificing quality, Peggy shows no sign of slowing down with this record either. Here, the rapper-producer has traded much of the glitch-hop and IDM-inspired production that dominated SCARING THE HOES for a much more string-heavy set of instrumentals. In doing so, his new album manages to balance some of the most tender songs from Peggy’s discography with some of the most raw, untamed tracks he’s every produced. Whilst not every track is an unbridled success, Peggy continues to prove his ability to curate innovative and exciting sonic experiments for his ever-growing fanbase.
The album opens strong with i scream this in the mirror before I interact with anyone, introducing the listener to Peggy’s new sound that pairs his patented aggressive flow with booming bass and distorted electric guitar riffs. This intense energy is carried into SIN MIEDO, the album’s second single which highlights Peggy’s ability to utilise his unhinged brand of humour to create memorable one-liners. The track’s seamless transition from anthemic rock guitars to electronic and futuristic demonstrates JPEGMAFIA’s prowess in keeping the listener both engaged and off-guard through ever-changing production.
A new and improved version of Don’t rely on other men, the album’s lead single, stands out as another highlight, combining energetic flows with blown-out, distorted bass. The repetitive sampled vocal chants create a trance-like atmosphere, while the addition of soaring strings in the final section elevates the track to new heights.
vulgar display of power closes out the first half of the LP in style, once again showcasing excellent guitar work as well as Peggy’s snarling delivery. The shouty refrain adds to the grimy, aggressive atmosphere, complementing the instrumental and showcasing JPEGMAFIA’s mastery over his new rockstar-esque sound.
On the second half of the record, Peggy shows that despite his new rockstar sound, his rapping is still as sharp as ever. The best example of this is JPEGULTRA!, a stellar collaboration with fellow king of the underground hip-hop scene, Denzel Curry. Set against triumphant saxophones, both artists deliver charismatic, braggadocious performances that create one of the album’s most fun and memorable moments. The track’s closing section, with its cute strings and controlled flow from Peggy, provides excellent pacing within the album’s context by introducing the mood of the final leg of the record.
either on or off the drugs contains the album’s most beautiful instrumental, rivalling any of the strongest tracks released this year. A soft, charming vocal sample provides the ideal backdrop for Peggy to explore rap on more introspective themes such as his past relationships and struggles with addiction. The album continues this more tender turn with Don’t Put Anything On the Bible, featuring angelic guest vocals from Buzzy Lee and elegant strings. Peggy tactfully allows the choral atmosphere to develop, with his verse not appearing until over halfway through, when the guest vocals fade away and the beat switches to a soft guitar-based instrumental.
This perfectly tees up the outro, i recovered from this, which brings the album to a natural conclusion in a similar fashion. Peggy raps about what his takeaways from his past relationships and mental health struggles over looped and layered sampled vocals, eschewing percussion to cultivate a more intimate environment.
Whilst most of tracks find their mark, the innovative and genre-bending nature of the album inevitably leads to the occasional failed experiment. New Black History, which features Vince Staples (hot off of the back of his fantastic 2024 album Dark Times), disappoints with its slightly out of place Future sample and repetitive synths. Although neither artist’s rapping performance is poor, the track’s main highlight appears only after both artists take a step back for the abrasive, pitched-up instrumental outro. it’s dark and hell is hot also stands out as the album’s strangest offering, built around a vocal sample of the Minions from the Despicable Me franchise. Though Peggy’s rapping remains sharp, the track’s peculiar foundation may divide listeners.
Throughout the album, JPEGMAFIA demonstrates his ability to craft complex, layered productions that support his uncompromising lyrical approach. From aggressive bangers with earworm hooks to stunning samples on introspective cuts, the album showcases Peggy’s range as both a producer and rapper. While not every experiment lands perfectly, the overall result is a bold, challenging listen that provides further evidence for the argument that JPEGMAFIA is the king of the growing experimental hip-hop scene.
This album is great, 8/10.
Theo Aveline 