Discussing the release of ‘Organic Rust’ in a press statement, Alfa explained both the meaning of the song and the album title: “In the UK version of Blackjack the ‘Bring Backs’ Rule means you can’t celebrate your win until the next round is over, ‘Organic Rust’ is a song about being at odds with the idea of success and how that can lead to apathy.”

Indeed, the song borders on nihilism, opening with the lines: “Serious face cos it’s really a race/ Trying to stabilise while my health deteriorates.” These personal thoughts slowly morph and expand into existentialist reflections as his rap progresses, culminating in Alfa’s final thought: “When it all gives way and I’ve had enough/ I got a few words for the man above/ When I’m Organic Rust, trust/ Can it just…/ …turn to Organic Rust?”

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In the COLORS SHOW performance of the song, Alfa sits alone with an electric piano and a microphone. Notably, the melancholic tone of the track is at odds with the pink room that the people at COLORS chose to put him in, a disjunction that was probably intentional. Alfa’s monotonous delivery and deadpan expression similarly enhance the song’s nihilistic charm.

The pianist, producer and MC has an extensive catalogue of music, ranging from sprawling ten-minute jazz cuts to lo-fi hip-hop tracks. ‘Organic Rust’ falls somewhere in the middle of the two, as a track that overlays minor jazz piano runs onto ethereal downtempo hip-hop production. Whilst talking about his previously released single ‘Run Outs’ in a press statement, he seems to suggest that this sort of blend is the result of a conscious effort: “I used to think of making beats and playing with a band as separate worlds until I realised I was always trying to achieve the same thing. Making the music I want to make.”

‘Organic Rust’ similarly dissolves the border between these two musical worlds. Whilst jazz and hip-hop have a long-standing history with one another, Alfa’s music really explores how the two genres can continue to develop together. Combining conscious lyricism with contemporary jazz sensibilities, the Newham-raised sensation has put himself at the forefront of London’s jazz renaissance.

Watch Alfa Mist’s performance of ‘Organic Rust’ for COLORS below: