UK singer-songwriter Alxndr London has dropped forward-thinking new mixtape IV Merin, out 9th August via AWAL.
London describes the exploratory, eight-track release as ‘a collection or anthology of prayers’. A deeply introspective collection of tracks, the mixtape opens with an introductory prayer from London’s mother. Maintaining an air of spirituality throughout, the further seven tracks are also prayers, for strength (‘Mama Said’), understanding (‘Father Blue’) and power (‘EQ Basa’) amongst other things. Meanwhile the mixtape’s title is an ode to his heritage, with ‘Merin’ translating to ‘four’ in Yoruba and IV Merin being his fourth musical project.
London has also dropped an official video to coincide with ‘Talking Drum’, one of the tracks from IV Merin – again paying tribute to his Yoruba roots.
“The song is inspired by gospel songs,” he explains. “I would hum and sing along to the hymns and African Spirituals. Talking drum is my prayer. I pray that the waves will receive and guide the diaspora back home. I pray that it is not too late for change. I pray that these strange, foreign lands are a thing of yesterday.”
Forever finding new ways to make music his own, London’s personalised sound nestles somewhere amongst spiritual soul, electronica and experimental music, with lyrics detailing politics, sex, culture, death, religion and Afrocentric themes.
Prior to releasing IV Merin, London has released three EPs in as many years, first emerging onto the scene with 2016’s ‘A Long Time Ago’. This was followed up by 2017’s ‘Today’ and last year’s ‘2023’, while his live performance of single ‘April’ on the ‘Colors Berlin’ YouTube channel has amassed 2.8 million hits to date.
IV Merin is a coming-of-age release for Alxndr London, a deeply personal mixtape that sees him reach his full musical potential.
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