- The newest album by Pegz, “Axis”, has been on such high rotation in my house and in my walkman that it’s time to bite the bullet, stop grooving and start writing. This CD is pure class. The rhymes tell great stories, from the heart and sophisticated, showing all of Pegz’s years of experience in hip hop. The production by Plutonic Lab is polished, well crafted and full of great samples, jazz breaks and dark but funky beats. Add in the guest spots from Pegz’s sister Reagan, the Hilltop Hoods, DJ Bonez, and some well placed cuts by DJ Selekt and the album is nicely rounded off. This album was well worth the 18 months of hibernation in the studio by Pegz, and has definitely re-launched him straight back to the top of the pile amongst Aussie hip hop’s best MCs and artists.
After the intro sample the album launches into the very funky single “Chechen Gorilla”, a song covering life in the ‘burbs in Melbourne, politics and keeping it real on the hip hop scene. Track 3 is the album standout for me, the gorgeous reminiscence of “Back Then”. You can’t help but sing and dance along to this super catchy number. No wonder it is getting a good spin on Triple J! Which is good news when my walkman isn’t handy! Reagan’s soulful chorus adds a soft touch to the song, while Pegz talks about his memories. It’s GOLD.
The well programmed beats sucks you into “Cro-Magnon” which rolls along with some good guitar and Selekt scratching it up. It’s time to jump to the beat again with “This is for Life” featuring the Hilltop Hoods. This tracks shows hip hop has humour as the hoods talk about performing down at the RSL with their hearing aids and wheelchairs. It’s funny, cute and one hell of a bopping tune. “What Could Happen” displays some of the dark and somber tones of this album, as Pegz questions how you’d spend the last day of your life. It’s a thought provoking song, stripped back so the vocals standout but with a haunting keyboard melody and strings. “”Fuckin Wid Pegz” is my least favourite track, but then what is hip hop without the occasional chest-puffing and ego session. At least Pegz still has his tongue in his cheek while dissing Sam Newman! “Two Sides of the Map” gets the album back on the funky track, while “The Last Bushman” with its didgeridoo once again shows off Pegz’s wit in a commentary about the bush identity attached to Australian culture while most of us live on the coast in big cities.
“Blink of an Eye” and “Put the World on Hold” show off good melodies behind the beats and vocals. “Mad Luv” featuring rhymes by Hyjak and Torcha and “Living on Earth” bring back that sombre downtempo sound that gives a good balance to the album. The album winds up with “Zenith”, a percussion loaded slow track that ties things up and bows out the album. Check this one out for sure