Alexander IV is the latest creative alias of Dutch producer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Joris Feiertag, an artist already widely respected for his club-oriented productions under his own name and for his work with the acclaimed Dutch collective Kraak & Smaak. With this new project, Feiertag steps into a more reflective and exploratory musical space, trading dance-floor immediacy for deep listening, layered textures, and richly cinematic beats.
His debut full-length album as Alexander IV, Alchemist, presents thirteen meticulously crafted tracks that weave together hip-hop rhythms, soulful grooves, jazz sensibilities, and cinematic sound design. The result is an album that feels both modern and timeless—an immersive listening experience where organic instrumentation and electronic production blend seamlessly.
Rather than simply assembling a collection of beats, Feiertag approaches Alchemist as a narrative journey. Each track contributes a distinct mood or texture, yet together they form a cohesive sonic environment shaped by curiosity, craft, and attention to detail.
The album opens with “Touch of Gold,” an instrumental introduction that immediately sets the tone for the project’s jazz-infused aesthetic. Built around a compelling jazz sample, the track features a bold beat switch that deliberately disrupts expectations. Feiertag recalls that the sample instantly captured his attention, and the syncopated rhythmic flip that opens the track was designed to surprise listeners right from the start. It serves as both an invitation and a statement of intent, signaling that Alchemist will move freely between musical traditions and production techniques.
That dialogue between jazz and hip-hop continues across tracks like “Génie” and “All I Have to Say.” The latter in particular embodies a smoky late-night atmosphere, balancing laid-back grooves with subtle forward motion. Feiertag describes the track as living somewhere between the soulful phrasing of Roy Hargrove and the influential beat craftsmanship of J Dilla. The groove drifts with relaxed ease while still pushing forward, creating a delicate tension that defines much of the album’s rhythmic character.
One of the album’s most striking moments arrives with “Now, Pause…,” featuring legendary American spoken word poet Ursula Rucker. Her presence introduces a powerful lyrical dimension to the record. Through poetic reflection and rhythmic delivery, Rucker encourages listeners to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with the present moment. Her message of awareness and resistance adds emotional gravity to the album’s sonic landscape.
The sense of global groove expands further on “Long Way from Home,” a collaboration with vocalist Pete Josef, a longtime contributor to the influential Berlin-based label Sonar Kollektiv. What began as a studio jam built around Afrobeat percussion and a guitar riff inspired by Fela Kuti gradually evolved into one of the album’s most layered compositions. Josef contributed rich choral textures and vocal lines, while trumpet player Luuk Hof added melodic flourishes that completed the arrangement. The track intentionally avoids conventional pop structure, instead unfolding organically as its musical elements interact and develop.
Beyond its groove-driven centerpieces, Alchemist also explores more atmospheric territory. Downtempo tracks like “Palau” and “La Vie” introduce cinematic textures that broaden the album’s emotional palette. “Palau” drifts through slow-motion jazz-funk landscapes before dissolving into dub-infused ambience, evoking the hazy glow of a sunset. Meanwhile, “La Vie” channels vintage trip-hop aesthetics, blending spacey brass lines with French-inspired soundbites and a nostalgic sense of urban melancholy.
Another highlight emerges with “Time of Day,” featuring British vocalist Oli Hannaford. Built around a delicate Spanish guitar loop and recorded live alongside trumpet player Luuk Hof and musician Darius Christian, the track carries echoes of artists such as Bill Withers and Tom Misch while subtly nodding to classic bossa nova traditions. Feiertag describes it as one of the few songs on the album constructed entirely from scratch in the studio. When Hannaford’s vocals arrived, the composition fell into place naturally, transforming the track into one of the record’s most memorable moments.
Momentum builds again with “Bop,” which injects the album with Latin-tinged percussion and energetic rhythm. Shortly afterward, “This Won’t Do,” featuring vocalist Cézanne, brings a more structured songwriting approach. The track unfolds as a restrained neo-soul composition, driven by chopped jazz drums and understated emotion that emphasizes mood over spectacle.
The album’s closing sequence continues to blur stylistic boundaries. Tracks like “La Parisienne,” “Midnight,” and “That Blew My Mind” showcase Alexander IV’s ability to merge dub textures, exotica influences, broken-beat rhythms, and jazz harmonies into a unified sonic world. “That Blew My Mind” in particular concludes the record on an uplifting note, with a relaxed, skanking groove that feels celebratory and open.
Central to the success of Alchemist is Feiertag’s meticulous production process. The album reflects countless hours spent manipulating sound—chopping samples, isolating drum patterns, reversing fragments, and stretching time until each element finds its perfect place. Feiertag describes the project as a process of transforming small sonic fragments into complete musical worlds.
This attention to detail extends to the album’s countless subtle references and sonic quotations. Every sample, texture, and rhythmic layer is placed deliberately, contributing to the record’s immersive atmosphere. Despite its complex construction, however, the music never feels overly technical. Instead, it retains a warm, human quality that invites listeners to sink into its grooves.
The influences behind Alchemist span a wide musical spectrum. Feiertag draws inspiration from eclectic artists such as Mr. Scruff, Thievery Corporation, Kruder & Dorfmeister, SAULT, and Khruangbin. These inspirations are evident throughout the album’s blend of downtempo grooves, soulful melodies, and global rhythmic influences.
At the same time, Alchemist remains unmistakably personal. Feiertag’s background as both a producer and a live musician—particularly as a drummer—allows him to balance rhythmic precision with organic flow. His experience performing alongside talented collaborators and growing up within a musically gifted family has further shaped the project’s collaborative spirit.
The result is music that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. Alchemist captures the warmth of classic sample-based production while embracing modern sonic possibilities. It is an album designed not for quick consumption but for deep listening—one that rewards attention with new details and textures on every return.
With Alexander IV, Joris Feiertag has created a new artistic identity that allows him to explore the more soulful, introspective dimensions of his musical imagination. Alchemist marks the beginning of that journey, revealing an artist unafraid to step beyond the club and into a wider cinematic soundscape.
In doing so, Feiertag expands his creative universe while reaffirming his reputation as one of the Netherlands’ most versatile and inventive musical voices.
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