Alchemist by Alexander IV

Known for his club-focused work under the name Feiertag, this project sees him stepping into a new creative space - one rooted in hip-hop, soul, jazz, and cinematic beat-making. His debut full-length as Alexander IV brings together thirteen meticulously crafted tracks that move through introspective rhythms, stirring soul, resonant Afro-jazz, and future-funk moments - featuring a handful of very special guests.

The record opens with “Touch of Gold”, a jazz-laced instrumental that sets the tone with a bold beat switch: “The jazz sample instantly grabbed me, ” says Joris, “and right away I had the idea for that syncopated flip at the beginning, just to throw listeners off. I knew it had to open the album. ” The jazz and hip-hop connection deepens with tracks like “Génie” and “All I Have to Say” - the latter inspired by Mr. Scruff and sitting somewhere between Roy Hargrove and Dilla in a smoky late-night haze. “The groove feels laid-back yet still pushes forward, ” Joris notes. “That tension is what I love. ” On “Now, Pause… ”, legendary US poet and spoken word artist 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 Pete Josef, a longtime Sonar Kollektiv collaborator. Initially just a studio jam with Afrobeat percussion and a Fela Kuti-style guitar riff from Jelle Crooijmans, the track evolved over months. “Pete came up with these amazing choirs and vocal lines, and trumpet player Luuk Hof added the finishing touches. It's not a typical song structure, and that's exactly what I love about it.”

Downtempo gems like “Palau” and “La Vie” add cinematic texture. Palau drifts from slow-motion jazz-funk into dubby, sunset-soaked territory, while La Vie channels vintage trip-hop with French flair, spacey brass, and archival soundbites. 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 track carries echoes of Bill Withers, Tom Misch, and old-school bossa nova. “It was one of the few songs I built completely from scratch in the studio. When Oli sent his vocals, everything just clicked,” Joris recalls. “Bop” follows with percussive punch and Latin swagger before “This Won't Do” (feat. Cézanne) reappears as one of the more structured soul songs on the record - a modern neo-soul glider driven by chopped jazz drums and emotional restraint. Closing tracks like “La Parisienne”, “Midnight”, and “That Blew My Mind” highlight Alexander IV's ability to blend dub, exotica, broken beat, and jazz into a cohesive mood. That Blew My Mind in particular ends the album on a skanking, celebratory note - open, loose, and glowing. “As with everything I made on "Alchemist," I took small pieces of sound and turned them into something whole,” Joris explains. “Chopping, isolating drums, reversing parts, slowing things down… one of the things I'm most proud of is the detail. Every element has its place. Even the smallest quotes and samples are intentional. Everything aligns.”

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 handmade. Cinematic in scope, soulful in tone, and beautifully unhurried in its delivery, Alchemist marks the start of a new chapter for one of the Netherlands' most versatile musical voices.

Alexander IV - Alchemist
Release Date 27th March 2026
Label Sonar Kollektiv

Tracklist
1. Alexander IV - Touch of Gold
2. Alexander IV - Génie
3. Alexander IV - All I Have to Say
4. Alexander IV feat. Ursula Rucker - Now, Pause…
5. Alexander IV feat. Pete Josef - Long Way from Home
6. Alexander IV - Palau
7. Alexander IV - La Vie
8. Alexander IV feat. Oli Hannaford - Time of Day
9. Alexander IV - Bop
10. Alexander IV feat. Cézanne - This Won't Do
11. Alexander IV - La Parisienne
12. Alexander IV - Midnight
13. Alexander IV - That Blew my Mind