Alexander IV - Alchemist LP [Sonar Kollektiv]

Format: LP in printed sleeve.
CAT: SK545LP

Alexander IV is the alias of eclectic Dutch producer, multi-instrumentalist, and beatmaker Joris Feiertag. Known for his club-oriented releases under the name Feiertag, this project sees him enter a new creative space, rooted in hip hop, soul, jazz, and cinematic beat-making.

His debut full-length album as Alexander IV, titled Alchemist, brings together thirteen meticulously crafted tracks that traverse introspective rhythms, soulful grooves, resonant afro-jazz, and future funk moments, featuring some very special guests.

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A Musical Journey

The record opens with “Touch of Gold”, a jazz-tinged instrumental that sets the tone with a daring beat switch: “The jazz sample instantly caught me,” says Joris, “and I immediately had the idea for that syncopated twist at the start, just to throw the listener off. I knew it had to open the album.”

The connection between jazz and hip hop deepens on tracks like “Génie” and “All I Have to Say”, the latter inspired by Mr. Scruff and falling somewhere between Roy Hargrove and J Dilla in a smoky, late-night atmosphere. “The groove feels relaxed but keeps moving forward,” Joris comments. “That tension is what I love.”

On “Now, Pause…”, legendary American spoken word artist and poet Ursula Rucker delivers a message of presence and resistance, inviting listeners to breathe and “live in the light.”

The groove expands on “Long Way from Home”, featuring Sonar Kollektiv regular Pete Josef. Initially just a studio jam with Afrobeat percussion and a Fela Kuti-esque guitar riff from Jelle Crooijmans, the track evolved over months. “Pete created these amazing background vocals and vocal lines, and trumpeter Luuk Hof added the finishing touches. It’s not a typical song structure, and that’s exactly what I like about it.”

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Depth and Downtempo Detours

Downtempo gems like “Palau” and “La Vie” add cinematic texture. Palau flows from slow-motion jazz-funk into sunset-drenched dub territory, while La Vie channels vintage trip hop with a French accent, spacey brass, and archival audio snippets.

Then comes “Time of Day”, a standout collaboration with British vocalist Oli Hannaford. Built around a Spanish guitar loop and recorded live with Luuk Hof and Darius Christian, the piece evokes echoes of Bill Withers, Tom Misch, and classic bossa nova. “It was one of the few songs I completely built from scratch in the studio. When Oli sent over his vocals, everything clicked,” Joris recalls.

“Bop” follows with a percussive thump and Latin flair before “This Won’t Do” (feat. Cézanne), one of the most structured tracks on the record, a modern neo-soul driven by sampled jazz drums and elegant emotional restraint.

Closing tracks like “La Parisienne”, “Midnight”, and “That Blew My Mind” showcase Alexander IV’s ability to blend dub, exotica, broken beat, and jazz into one cohesive mood. In particular, “That Blew My Mind” closes the album on a celebratory, skanking note — open, loose, and luminous.

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Cinematic by Design

“As with everything I made on Alchemist, I took small fragments of sound and turned them into something complete,” Joris explains. “Chopping, isolating drums, reversing parts, slowing things down… one of the things I’m most proud of is the level of detail. Every element has its place. Even the smallest quotes and samples are intentional. It all fits together.”

Influenced by artists like Mr. Scruff, Thievery Corporation, Kruder & Dorfmeister, SAULT, and Khruangbin, Alchemist is a love letter to deep listening. It’s sample-based music that feels human and handcrafted. Cinematic in scope, soulful in tone, and wonderfully unhurried in its unfolding, Alchemist marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of the Netherlands’ most versatile musical voices.