August 2024

Monthly Reviews | August 2024

Unlike previous months, August was relatively quiet for ARDYReviews as I took some time off for a summer holiday to recharge. After a busy stretch, I wanted to step back, clear my mind, and return with fresh energy for the months ahead. I still found the time to dive into a couple of new albums before taking time off. Kicking off the month, JPEGMAFIA made his return with a brand new album, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU. While industrial hip-hop isn’t typically my go-to genre, I decided to give it a fair shot and see if JPEGMAFIA’s sound would grow on me with this latest project. You’ll find more on that experience below, where I break down the album in greater detail. Just before going on my break, YG also released the third instalment of his Just Re’d Up series. The first two projects in this series were mixtapes that played a significant role in putting YG on the West Coast Hip-Hop map. Find out below if the third instalment lives up to the hype of the first two mixtapes.

JPEGMAFIA — I Lay Down My Life For You

Release Date — 1st August

The new album from rapper, singer, and producer JPEGMAFIA marks the Baltimore artist’s fifth studio release. Since his debut LP, Black Ben Carson, in 2016, JPEGMAFIA has grown to become one of the most beloved artists in the underground scene, making a name for himself by working with the likes of Danny Brown and Kanye West. With each release over the past few years, JPEGMAFIA has received widespread praise from both critics and fans. Personally, I have grown to like and respect JPEGMAFIA more as time has passed, but I have yet to find a project of his that I fully love. With his latest album, I Lay Down My Life for You, I’ve enjoyed the music more than any of his previous works, but I still haven't fully embraced the JPEGMAFIA phenomenon.

The album’s first track perhaps encapsulates why I struggle to get behind a JPEGMAFIA album and industrial hip-hop music in general. The intro track is incredibly chaotic, with a lot being thrown at the listener, from the production to Peggy’s loud vocals. This chaotic approach was the main issue I had with the songs I didn’t like on the album, such as “it’s dark and hell is hot,” “JIHAD JOE,” and particularly “vulgar display of power,” where Peggy makes some strange Dracula-like noises in certain parts of the song.

However, not all was confusing or hard to get through; there are tracks that I genuinely enjoyed and found fun to listen to. Although I’ve mentioned that JPEGMAFIA’s production can be chaotic on certain tracks, he also creates some really great instrumentals, and his use of samples can be quite impressive. Two examples of this are “SIN MIEDO,” where Peggy samples 2 Live Crew’s “Hoochie Mama,” and “i’ll be right there,” which features a sample of Jade’s “Don’t Walk Away.” Other highlights on the album include “Exmilitary” and “JPEGULTRA,” which features a great verse from Denzel Curry. Toward the end, I also enjoyed the more laid-back sounds of “either on or off the drugs” and “loop it and leave it.”

After experiencing I Lay Down My Life For You, I’ve realized that JPEGMAFIA’s music can either be a massive hit or miss for me. Though I’ve appreciated each of his projects a little more with each release, I don’t believe there will ever be a JPEGMAFIA album that I fully embrace. I’ve genuinely tried, but it hasn’t fully clicked for me. Industrial hip-hop, in general, just isn’t for me, as I’ve also struggled to enjoy other key figures within the sub-genre, such as clipping. If someone were to say, “JPEGMAFIA is incredible,” I wouldn’t argue—I’d understand—but he’s just not always for me.

YG — Just Re’d Up 3

Release Date — 16th August

The now veteran Compton rapper YG has been a prominent figure in the hip-hop scene for over a decade. Before delivering hits like "My Hitta" with Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan, and "Big Bank" featuring Nicki Minaj and Big Sean, YG first gained attention with his single "Toot It and Boot It," alongside frequent collaborator Ty Dolla $ign, as well as his Just Re’d Up mixtape and its sequel. Now, over a decade after the release of the second instalment, YG has dropped Just Re’d Up 3, featuring artists like Larry June, G Herbo, and Lil Yachty. While YG released several notable projects over the last decade, particularly his 2014 debut album My Krazy Life, Just Re’d Up 3 is now a reflection of the Compton rapper’s current inability to deliver a consistently solid body of work.

During the 2010s, YG showcased his knack of delivering catchy bangers and hard hitting records, however on his latest double album there is only a small glimpse of that. Much of the album is filled with cringe-worthy Thug-R&B tracks that fail to stand out, with little variation between them. Whether it’s tracks from the first part of the album, such as "Only Fans" featuring Jaye Anderson and "Her Way" featuring KALAN.FRFR, or from the second part with "Love Make" and "I'm In Love," they all come across as tacky filler. It feels as if YG has reached a point where he doesn't have much left to rap about. Even his two collaborations with Ty Dolla $ign—previously a reliable pairing for great tracks—fall short on this album. Whilst, tracks such as “She Pretty” with Saweetie and “Pimp My Ride” are tolerable but don’t really standout either.

As mentioned, there are brief glimpses of greatness on the album, the most notable being the opening track, "Go Brazy" featuring Baby Stone Gorillas. Produced by DJ Mustard, the architect behind YG's early sound, "Go Brazy" highlights that the chemistry between YG and Mustard remains strong, proving they should continue collaborating as much as possible. G Herbo and Tee Grizzley deliver the best features on the album, both appearing on the track "Malibu." Other standout bangers include "Right Now" and "Violence," while "Stupid" and "Knocka" also offer enjoyable moments on the album.

Following projects like 2022’s I Got Issues and 2021’s Kommunity Service with Mozzy, Just Re’d Up 3 sadly joins the list as another disappointing release from YG. It’s difficult to determine whether YG is going through a rough patch in his career or if he has simply run out of steam and can no longer recapture the magic of his earlier work. As one of the artists who contributed to the West Coast renaissance in the early 2010s, alongside figures like Nipsey Hussle and TDE, there’s hope that YG can regroup, return, and deliver another great album in the future.