Album review: JPEGMAFIA – I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU

Fresh from his incendiary and devastating set at Outbreak Fest, JPEGMAFIA – the artist known legally as Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks – has surprise-released his fifth full-length, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU. It’s a fitting title, because that’s exactly what the New York-based, 34-year-old does across its 14 tracks.

Opener i scream this in the mirror before i interact with anyone – surely one of the best song titles you’ll see all year – begins with the declaration that ‘If I was an NBA player, I’d be Dillon Brooks but worse’ – surely one of the best opening lines you’ll hear all year. That’s because it isn’t just referencing the rapper’s basketball skills (or lack thereof), but also Dillon Brooks’ knack and reputation for getting under people’s skin.

JPEGMAFIA (aka Peggy) does both on this record. He dives deep into himself and his own existence, but also – as expected – takes issue with various aspects of American politics and society. Not only that, but he also gets involved with the ongoing beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, laying into the latter on the intense sonic mind-fuckery of It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot and New Black History. On the latter, which features Vince Staples, he lashes out about people ‘cashing out for PDFs and rapers (No Drizzy)’, a double accusation that doesn’t take too much intelligence to work out.

Musically, too, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU, feels like a trip deep inside his heart and soul, a collage of inspiration and history and life lived that infuses his intelligent brand of hip-hop with rock and metal elements. This is especially visible on the guitars that underpin vulgar display of power and the oscillating tones of the incredible Exmilitary, which takes no prisoners. The title is a reference to Peggy’s time in the air force – he was honourably discharged after reporting his superiors for abuse – but he doesn’t just take on the American military-industrial complex and America’s violent history. ‘Blowing up like I’m IDF, Netty warrants ain't stoppin' shit’ he spits, revealing his stance on the ongoing violence in Gaza, but elsewhere he fumes, ‘Is you Harvey, Jeffrey, R. Kelly, or is you opposite?’ You could probably write a PhD on the historical and cultural references contained here, which is to say that it’s a record that keeps on giving and giving. Just listen to JIHAD JOE and JPEGULTRA!, the latter of which features Denzel Curry and fully encapsulates the genre-decimating brilliance of this record.

Those who are only after heavy guitars in their music won’t be completely satisfied, especially in the mellow closing strains of Don’t Put Anything On The Bible and the ’60s psychedelia of ender i recovered from this. But that’s on them. After all, you can’t always get what you want. But this stunning, expansive collection of songs delivers exactly what this torrid world needs: a simultaneous celebration and indictment that will stand the test of time for decades to come.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Denzel Curry, FEVER 333, Jean Dawson

I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU is out now