4AD Presents: Anjimile, “The King”
#4ad #vinyl #indiemusic
Now Available in Limited Yellow LP, Black LP, CD, and Digital Formats
Renowned artist Anjimile Chithambo, popularly recognized as Anjimile, graces the music scene with his latest album, The King. This release, a prized gem, is available for purchase in a limited edition yellow vinyl at the 4AD Store, with the option of an exclusive signed photo print bundle.
This album marks Anjimile’s inaugural collaboration with 4AD and is his most anticipated work since the 2020 sensation, Giver Taker. Featured in The King are the recently launched singles, including the evocative title track ‘The King’, the touchingly profound ‘Father’, the anthem of dissent ‘Animal’, and the mystically resonant ‘Black Hole’, which was unveiled last Tuesday.
The King encapsulates a spectrum of profound sentiments derived from Anjimile’s own journey. It encompasses themes ranging from deep-seated parental gratitude in ‘Father’ to the diverse emotions such as grief in ‘Genesis’, fear in ‘The Right’, and fury in ‘Animal’ stirred by the tragic demise of George Floyd.
Prominent publications have praised the album:
“A monumental synthesis of sound and vision.” – Paste (Album of the Week)
“An invitation to confront your suffering head-on.” – Pitchfork (7.5/10)
“An insightful exploration of a distorted American reality.” – Uncut (8/10)
“A candid narrative of bitter truths.” – Loud and Quiet (7/10)
“A testament to Anjimile’s unparalleled creativity.” – NPR Music
What makes The King truly stand out is its harmonious blend of Anjimile’s poetic flair with striking production finesse. A vast majority of the auditory experience on The King arises from two sources: an acoustic guitar and the raw, powerful resonance of Anjimile’s voice. While the album has been graced by some stellar contributions from talented artists like Justine Bowe, Brad Allen Williams, Sam Gendel, and James Krivchenia (Big Thief), it predominantly stands as a culmination of a year’s labor with Shawn Everett, the Grammy and Juno-awarded maestro, in LA.
In a unique preparatory ritual, before any recording commenced, Everett accompanied Anjimile to various museums, urging him to pick a painting for every track on the album – a method to deeply comprehend Anjimile’s artistic essence. Everett’s strategic brilliance is evident in every note. From the decision to use a single instrument throughout the album to ensure auditory cohesion, to experimenting by recording tracks in every conceivable key, and then introducing innovative recording techniques like immersing a condom-covered microphone in water – his genius knows no bounds.
For fans eager to experience Anjimile’s magic live, he is set to embark on a European tour this November, with headline performances scheduled in cities including Amsterdam, Paris, and London. Find the full tour itinerary below:
Tour Dates:
September
9th – Hopscotch Festival, Raleigh NC, US
28th – POP Montreal, Montreal, Canada
November
3rd – 4th – Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavik, Iceland
7th – Paradiso Zonzij, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
10th – Pitchfork Festival, Paris, France
11th – Pitchfork Festival, London, UK
December
1st – Secca, Winston-Salem NC, US
2nd – DC9, Washington DC, US
3rd – PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia PA, US
5th – Public Records, Brooklyn NY, US
7th – Tubby’s, Kingston NY, US
8th – ICA, Boston MA, US
10th – The Drake, Toronto ON, Canada
12th – Schubas, Chicago IL, US
13th – The Burl, Lexington KY, US
