EP Review: The Price of Peace

Ōtautahi’s Big Sima has once again teamed with Blenheim’s superstar ensemble Boomtown, releasing the third and final EP in their ‘Peace; trilogy, with this one titled The Price of Peace. Big Sima himself has been in and around the Aotearoa hip-hop scene since at least 2018, and has carved a name for himself, thanks to his introspective lyrics and captivating live performances. 

Lately, more often than not, he’s accompanied by his all-fun, all-grooving mates in Boomtown, impressing crowds at events the likes of Electric Avenue and GO Live!

Considering both Big Sima and Boomtown were both established names, I had high expectations of this EP.

Ordinarily, I’d start listening to the album from top to bottom. But this time, since the lead single of the EP Six Strings was placed at the very end, I decided to kick things off with this track. Just to mix things up.

Easy-going guitar chord strums lead the way, as a strolling-paced drumbeat enters. There are soulful vocals, crooning “I love my life for sure, I ain’t got nowhere to go”, underscoring the easy-going nature of the piece, as keyboards shimmer, and bass guitar notes bounce. The theme of reminiscing about the good old days is evident here, as Big Sima recalls hanging out with his mates as well as the mischief they’d all get up to.

The bright and delightful saxophone lines takes the reins on this number, carrying the flow of the verses to the choruses, and back again.

If this isn’t a lazy-Sunday-barbecue-with-friends soundtrack then I don’t know what is. The lyrical tales of days gone by, coupled with the breezy, relaxed atmosphere makes for a brilliant soundtrack to shooting the breeze to. 

Next on my listening journey was technically the EP opener, a reflective, thought-provoking piece of poetry titled What’s The Price? Appropriately, the track begins with the DING of a cash register, as the opening rap verses give off an almost freestyle approach. However, the rhythm of Big Sima’s rhymes make immediate sense as the basslines and drums enter the mix.

Between the slick and smooth saxophone riffs, there are big, socially-focused lyrics, intended to perceive from the viewpoint of those less well-off. Big Sima illustrates vividly the contrasts between his personal financial struggles versus those of a higher level in society.

“Ain’t no way you can survive without a hustler’s ambition”
“What’s the price of politics? What’s the price of greed?

The price of genocide when you’re trying to be free”

In the current phase of life I’ve begun to appreciate music that is conscious of modern societal problems, and try to illustrate the stories of those who struggle. For those reasons, What’s The Price? stood out right from the start as a standard for the rest of the EP.

As something of a “YOLO” anthem, the lyrics of Live Your Life highlights the finality of life, personal life choices, and that despite criticisms of one’s decisions, everyone should be able to exist and enjoy life how they wish. The deep-hewn groove of the instrumentals is another one of the EP’s many highlights

For those wanting a funky and groovy number to bounce to, be sure to stop by Rent Free. Boasting retro-inspired keyboards and guitar shuffles, matched with shining trumpet sections and Trombone from Amy Laithwaite, this track stands out as one of the most danceable. There is something about the humorous combination of upbeat disco rhythms and tales of mundane every struggles:

“The rent, it won’t pay itself

Better get back to work”.

To change things up, Big Sima and Boomtown then serve up a delightful Latin-inspired lounge-jazz tune, titled Heart-Doukans, featuring Jonty Zydenbos on Flugel. For anybody aware of that infamous Street Fighter combo-move, be assured, the video game references here are highly enjoyable, bordering on paying tribute, all while serving it up as a cute little love song.

“Send Heart-Doukans like Ken,

I’ll give it to you like Ryu do,

I don’t care you can push my buttons, that’s okay

Some days I know that I do too”. 

Yes, yes, I know. That sounds sappy, but in my current phase of life, a thoughtful, well-written romantic piece goes down just as nice as a glass of cold water on a warm day.

Special mention must go to the album design and artwork, which I found intriguing to decipher and amusing to look at. Behind the cartoon caricatures of Big Sima plus members of Boomtown, there were lots of references to recent political happenings, socio-economic issues, as well as the subjects addressed in the EP’s lyrics. It’s great fun to zoom in and pick out all the subtle and not-so-subtle political digs.

This EP had me hooked after just two rounds of listening. There’s a delightful amount of variation in sound and style, and beats and rhythms across all five songs bear a unique signature. The vocals carry hooks, but never to the point of sounding saccharine or overdone, while the rap verses are slick and intelligent.

Being the third part of a trilogy of EPs, I have reason to believe the other two chapters are of just as high a calibre.

Take a bow, Big Sima & Boomtown. You’ve done it.

Listen to The Price of Peace and more of their releases here, then go catch them live at one of their five South Island shows.