Spotlight: @Peace

While not being a card-carrying fan of Homebrew by any stretch of the imagination, I am definitely enjoying what I'm hearing from Tom Scott's "other" project, @Peace. He's not the only fella involved, of course, despite being the most recognisable vocally. Also a part of the group are Lui Tuiasau, Christoph El Truento, Dandruff Dicky and Brandon Haru. So a pretty solid lineup of talent, then? Shit yes, and it's not going to waste, either.

Barstool Balancing Act 1 is the perfect example of why I prefer these guys to Scott's "main" outfit. Another good reason is the latest single Flowers. This is unexpectedly gripping stuff lyrically - and musically these guys are pushing the right buttons too, leaning far enough into the squelchy, wobbly stuff to be current but without being predictable. It's a fine line, so propers where they're due.

I do hope @Peace get half the attention Homebrew have managed to rustle up - but being there's no novelty single like Benefit rearing its head, I fear the band may not trouble the mainstream media much at all. That's a shame, because I'd kinda like everyone who bought the Homebrew album to be able to hear and compare it to this stuff. I think that'd help re-dress the balance, as it were.

Check out this mini-movie trailer for the Girls EP, which both of these tracks below are taken from.

Links: Barstool Balancing Act 1 // Flowers

Review: Homebrew 'Homebrew'

HOMEBREW
Homebrew
[Independent]

Don't believe the hype? You can't argue with the facts, bro. The debut album from Homebrew, Avondale's most infamous hip hop crew, is really fucking good. Lyrically, musically, conceptually, this is a seriously tight package, spreading its' wings over two discs. Apparently divided between 'light' and 'dark' themes, I guess it depends on your definition of light and dark. Whatever. There are few New Zealand lyricists who are better able to capture the subtle (and not so subtle) nuances of life in our country better than Tom Scott. He has a wry sense of humour and a keen eye for detail, which he allies to an always on-point rhythmic delivery. There are no lazy Americanisms here either, cuz, as he tells tales of growing up poor in Auckland, acknowledging local landmarks, laying out relevant philosophical and political arguments and exposing the underbelly of a lifestyle most of us are more than familiar with. There are so many examples, but I'm highlighting my current favourite: Good God. Tom is viciously brilliant. Check it, as it provides the ideal counterpoint to the gimmicky-sounding Benefit (thankfully the only time that trick gets played out). Musically too, the album shows a surprising maturity, with enough raw, loose and gritty to balance out the woozy, hazy and experimental. Refreshingly un-Dilla-like, the beats move between golden era boom bap, piano-laden Blue Note-referencing head-noddin' and warm, live instrumentation. Some of the guest players include Chip Matthews and Christoph El Truento, while Lui Tuiasau (@Peace), Esther Stephens, Tyna Keelan, Tourettes and Hollie Smith appear on vocals; but the plaudits due belong to Tom, Haz and Lui, aka Homebrew. They're not just a lot harder working than they'd like us to believe, but they're also a hell of a lot smarter. Who woulda thought? Yes, the album is ambitiously-assembled, but it's impressively-realised, and one of the best debuts I've heard in years. Believe the hype.

4 and 1/2 stars from 5

I've never been one to advocate drug use, but I am quite prepared to highly recommend you check out the track Datura below, featuring Lui Tuiasau, and taken from the above album...

Home Brew - Datura (featuring Lui Tuiasau) by homebrewcrew