On August 1, 2024, JPEGMAFIA released his highly anticipated new album, “I Lay Down My Life For You.” Moksh Paniker reviews this new album, and gives his thoughts on JPEGMAFIA as an artist.
By: Moksh Paniker
JPEGMAFIA’s (Peggy or JPEG) new album “I Lay Down My Life For You” is a departure from the previously well known style of Peggy’s previous albums, namely “Scaring the Hoes.” It was a collaboration album with Danny Brown which is a mixture of beats that has become vital to JPEG’s music style of alternative hip-hop. “I Lay Down My Life For You” combines more hard rock and traditionally structured songs, the latter of which is unusual for the artist. JPEGMAFIA records very aggressive instrumentals overlaid with the usual lyrics about lost friends and enemies. Many songs feature longer instrumentals of metal guitars, quickly interrupted by bars such as “Cause all my enemies in jeopardy better phone a friend.” However it is important to note the immense amount of variety present in this album with more usual rap songs such as “i scream in this mirror before i interact with anyone” featuring less instrumental moments and is considerably faster than “either on or off the drugs” which is much more lyrical, akin to a slow pop song.
As this album was released I was exploring hip-hop and rock and pushing myself to listen to more songs and explore different styles. Finding this album the day it was released was a surprise, yet I was hooked. I listened to this album non-stop for almost a week straight. The combination of rock instruments occupied my mind while Peggy’s lyrical genius and slight nods to pop culture kept me engaged in each song. One example of this is the line “Obviously, rappers they know what it is, if I show you a Drac, I ain’t playin with kids” a reference to the hip-hop beef earlier in the year with Kendric and Drake wherein Kendric alleged that Drake was a predator. It is important to note that JPEG has been insulting Drake for years and this was not the first time insults have appeared on one of his albums.
Overall I would rate this album an 8/10. The album as a whole feels connected through the usage of similar instruments, however, each side from the lyrical to instrumental part in each song feels as if it has been cut off. It would have been nice to see more songs fully exploring this style that seems to suit JPEGMAFIA really well.
