Master of his craft

Peace Okezie's stunning debut album, How to Make a Master Peace, defines him as a charismatic indie star for a new generation

- WILL RICHARDS

IF THE INDIE sleaze explosion of the past few years has largely been nostalgic and retrospective, its forward-facing impact looks a lot like Master Peace aka Peace Okezie. The London-born singer's stunning, transformative debut album, How to Make a Master Peace, lifts sounds and energy from all corners of the 2000s indie scene, moulding it into something that's new and distinctive.

Across How to Make a Master Peace, you can hear the dark and energetic indie of Bloc Party on 'Panic101' and the electro rock of LCD Soundsystem and The Rapture on 'LOO SONG'. The loose, rowdy 'Shangaladang' splits the difference between Pete Doherty and M.I.A, while Georgia collaboration 'I Might be Fake' sounds like The Smiths' 'Barbarism Begins at Home' put through a nurave filter. It's an indie album in spirit and energy, but its sound bounces around restlessly, and Peace is endlessly inquisitive in his sonic choices.