Words by Joseph Murphy

The highly anticipated second album from Master Peace is here, with a clear step into a new era for the artist. Steeped in indie sleaze and modern London style, the project blends rock, pop, rap and dance elements into a project which crosses boundaries and envelops a modern standpoint of self-love, growth and modern relationships.

MP himself has often mentioned his aim to capture the spirit of youth and his own feelings at the time, bringing an introspection, not only of his own sound but of the way he views relationships. The cover of the new project is indicative of change, showing Peace stood, his figure absorbing an image of him from his first album ‘How To Make A Master Peace’.

Album opener is a perfect, bedroom-y, sleaze called ‘Save Your Love xx’. Dripping in vocal layers, with a house-esque style, the song tackles a relationship being pulled apart by distance and a new temptation.

MP starts as he means to go on, heading into ‘New Boyfriend’, tackling that bond which was broken. If you were to make comparisons, it’s a lovechild of the sounds of Mk.Gee and Steve Lacy, with a catchy hook which relies on a sweetly laid-back chorus. Showing off his ability to make something bouncy, with a twisting guitar riff that for me, lays as a favourite from the album.

Revealing more clear inspiration from Steve Lacy, he demonstrates ability to blend genres on, ‘Falling In Love With Your Friends’. Covering the hurt of finding attraction to a partner’s inner circle, revealing a messy situation, overlaid with the rock solid, repetitive groove of the track.

The middle of the album remains stacked with features of artists who are worth jumping into, ‘Act Like You Know ?’ (feat. Muni Long) is another favourite, like Bakar’s vocal style was baked into Kali Uchi’s smooth nature.

The following ‘Love Hate’ (feat. Thomas Day) is a longing tune, reconciling with the lingering nature of the relationship before, keeping the story flowing. With a deftly circling bass riff, the song doesn’t shy away from laying back on the drums, whilst Thomas Day’s vocals are airy, haunting and reflective.

Distinctly retro in its outset, synths and funky guitar over a disco backing, ‘Stay On Me!’ (Feat. Diamond Café) is a delight. It's as if somehow Michael Jackson’s instrumentation met Breakbot. It’s a different direction, just showcasing his personal touch, playing with genres across the project, whilst still keeping his distinct trademarks.

The standout track from the album, ‘ONE of ONE’ is built for the modern listener. Funky guitars over a haunting vocal strand, with unapologetically demanding words, its all about how unique this one girl is. A slight mid-2010’s throwback undercutting Peace’s vocals’ and lyrics’ intense modernism.

Master Peace has mentioned a small love for Mac Demarco and Hers, which bleeds out in ‘Sucker Punch!’ That ride cymbal returning again, over a thumpingly mechanical drumline. Still blending in his signature indie sleaze with a rap overtone, the tune fields all these influences so cohesively. Covering that story again, the grass wasn’t so green after all, finding out that he’s just one of many. Still leaving that sourness in the mouth, the watery guitar intro feels like you’re watching something fade away, into a deep frustration.

Rounding off, the title echoing as almost the last word of the relationship, feeling a hanging on come to a blunt end, is ‘Never Moved On?’ There’s a gritty sadness in the vocal styling of this, feeling (in all the best ways) like a sore throat, holding something back. There’s a callback to so many of his influences here, bleeding in and out like ink. The song ends building to a noise, layered over noises that are distinctly alien, before crashing back to earth.

I think that Master Peace creates a story here that doesn’t exactly have an ending, capturing the feeling of a breakup which doesn’t exactly come with good closure. Capturing frustration, hope, self-hood and mistakes in a sensational way, its something distinctly modern with a wealth of range, thematic strength and masterful instrumentation.