- In Days gone by New Zealand rapper Louie Knuxx had failed to make any kind of impact upon my musical shell. His earlier solo works and music made alongside ex-I Killed The Prom Queen drummer JJ Peters in Grips & Tonic, found itself treading far too close to the waters of generic Aussie hip-hop. It was fun, throw-away music with no lingering effect on me.

Knuxx’s latest solo venture PGT/GRR, or Progressive Gangsta Thug/Gentleman Romance Rap sees the rapper take one huge leap forward. Whether it was returning to his native New Zealand after a long stint spent crap-kicking around Melbourne or the sweet, supple wisdom that can only come with accumulation of oh so many rough days- Louie Knuxx has made the transition from rapper to songwriter and storyteller and it suits him down to the bone.

As much as anything on PGT/GRR it’s the production that takes the record to a whole ‘nother level and while the album feels like it has the structured vision of a single producer, the beats are split up among eight different entities including Knuxx himself, who turns his hand to the closing track. That untitled bonus track employing a funk-infused throwback beat that shows off Louie's multifaceted talent and ability to successfully change direction at a moment's notice.

As nice as that production is though, lyrically is where Knuxx is killing it most of all: he’s moved on from playful bravado and hollow boasting to honesty and self-reflection. The transition from a young fella to a fully fledged man. Once just a passing curiosity, Louie Knuxx has truly put his best foot forward here, producing a world class record, that in my mind, is better than any Aussie hip-hop record I've heard this year- its a world class and deserves the praise. New Zealand again bettering us from their wondrous home across the sea. Progressive Gangsta Thug/Gentleman Romance Rap is one of the nicest surprises I’ve had for a long time.

- Jay Edwards.