Last Wednesday, Theophilus London released his highly anticipated mixtape, I Want You. Gone is the sense of urgency in his voice, heard in tracks like “Ultraviolet” (Jam!) and “TNT” (This Charming Mixtape); the Theophilus London we hear in I Want You is cool, laid back and smooth as ever. The best artists are ones that evolve from project to project while retaining their signature sound, and Theophilus does this beautifully on his third release.
A free mixtape gives an artist the freedom to sample, remix and cover tracks without having to pay astronomical fees for the rights, giving them a creative reign they may not necessarily have on an official label release. Theophilus has capitalized on this opportunity in the past (see “I Will Always Love You” on This Charming Mixtape), and does it again on I Want You, bringing a newfound originality to familiar songs. The mixtape’s title track stays true to Marvin Gaye’s original while adding a modern twist, the Hudson Mohawke-produced cover “Oops (Oh My)”, is a bass-heavy update of Tweet’s 2002 hit, and “Give it up Dad” is an upbeat track that has Theophilus rapping over Vampire Weekend’s “Giving up the Gun”. Remixes on the mixtape include the long awaited release of The Very Best’s “Julia”, which he often performs live, and Ellie Goulding’s “Starry Eyed”.
Fusing LA electrofunk, UK indie, tropical escapade and obscure afropop with the signature style we’ve all come to know and love, Theophilus London weaves a delightful story of life and love. Listen to my personal favorite, “Flying Overseas (Version 1)” below, click through for the music video for “Accept the New”, and above all, CLICK HERE to download the mixtape.
Theophilus London – “Flying Overseas (Version 1)”
