Alfa Mist returns with a new two-track single, featuring “Avoid The Drones” and “9 Months,” and it’s everything fans have come to expect — understated, emotional, and deeply musical.

As someone who’s seen him live, whether alongside Yussef Dayes or Tom Misch, hearing this new release immediately brings back memories of those hypnotic keyboard moments. If you're into modern jazz, soul, fusion — or whatever you want to call this — Alfa Mist is essential listening. He’s not a musician who flaunts technical chops; instead, he crafts hauntingly beautiful melodies that feel lived-in. His bio says it best: “prioritising feeling over perfectionism.”

“Avoid The Drones” opens with soft, ethereal textures that steadily build, never rushing toward a climax but always moving with intention. It's the Alfa Mist I remember: subtle, atmospheric, and endlessly immersive. The music makes time disappear — especially for those of us already deeply tuned in to this sound.

Trying to pin Alfa Mist’s style to a single genre feels limiting. Many jazz artists actively resist categorization, often by making their work more intricate or abstract. Ironically, the more they try to escape the label, the more others try to define it. But complexity, when rooted in emotion rather than a need to be “different,” can be powerful. And that’s where Alfa Mist excels — his music is undeniably complex, but it always feels honest and soulful.

His rapping weaves in naturally, like just another instrument in the mix. That’s part of what makes his work so moving: it doesn’t demand your attention — it gently holds it. There’s something comforting in his sound, like it’s looking out for you in ways that are hard to explain.

From what I can tell, these tracks were produced solely by Alfa Mist himself. It reminds me of Sly Stone, who famously recorded some of his biggest hits alone, creating the illusion of a full band from his home studio. He even added fake credits to sell the idea. But if you look at the credits on Spotify, it’s clear: this is Alfa Mist, front to back.

Creating something so cohesive, layered, and emotionally resonant on your own is no small feat. Like Sly, Alfa Mist proves that you don’t need a room full of people to create something deeply human.

Go give Avoid The Drones / 9 Months a listen — it’s worth your time.

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!