Article: A look at IV The Polymath’s ‘New vs. Old’

Article: A look at IV The Polymath’s ‘New vs. Old’

Despite over a decade of experience as a talented musician, beatmaker IV the Polymath is primarily known for his instrumental projects. IV combines live instrumentation with traditional hip hop production techniques that will take you through a jazz-infused production journey.

Despite over a decade of experience as a talented musician, US beatmaker IV the Polymath is primarily known for his instrumental projects. IV combines live instrumentation with traditional hip hop production techniques to provide a unique blend of sounds and styles. His latest record ‘New vs Old’ is another collection of effortlessly gorgeous hip hop.

The album was mastered by Panacea member and Subsoniq co-host K-Murdock and is laid back but vibes heavy. Thick of consistent beats, IV sure hasn’t lost his ear for drums. Backed up with a layer of subtle elements of  jazz and classical samples. The finished beats are instant, effective and most of all, fun.

IV The Polymath doesn’t buy records just to sample them: he buys them to listen to. Every chance he gets, there is something on the turntable. IV: “I wanted to bridge the gap from sampling into more live instrumentation and show that you can make dope beats without having to rely on sampling.  I hear so many lazy beats that sound the same these days and I just want to take it to a new level.  My hope is that ‘New vs. Old’ is a step in that direction”. This desire and passion for music is a testament to IV’s ability to make memorable moments whilst also creating a fluid listening experience.

IV introduced the Yamaha Motif keyboard into his setup this summer and so about half of the songs are played on that – and of course on the MPC.  “Some other keyboards were used as well, but not as much.  Conga drums, tambourines, handclaps, and percussion instruments given to me from India were also in the mix.  I guess it got to the point where I realized I could play the stuff I was sampling – so why sample it you know?  Of course there are samples used in this album, but I think I used them in a creative way.”

Everything from sampled vocals, percussion instruments and varied rhythms, all coexist together whilst rarely sounding muddled. The heavily funked up ‘Next 2 You’ will have you neck snapping and tapping your feet, then on to the Asian sounds of the title track ‘New vs Old’. Relaxing in to the sweet sounding keyboards, on the particularly beautiful ‘The Recipe’, which paint silky melodies throughout the track. The rich content of this LP will take you through a jazz-infused production journey.

IV: “My Godfather passed away unexpectedly this summer and it was the first time that someone close to me died.  He lived down the street and we would play scrabble and eat Indian food. He was a good singer too – he would practice ragas in the basement and would also just bust out into a song randomly. He definitely marched to the beat of his own drummer as they say.  After he passed I started to regret not spending more time with him. This album is my way of telling him that I appreciate him and I also wanted something for his family to have in his honor. He’s actually the one who gave me my huge stack records from India.  Low key I used one of them to create the title track ‘New vs. Old’. He touched so many people’s lives in deep ways and I hope to do the same with my music.”

In all, ‘New vs Old’ is dynamic sequence of solid instrumentals. Treat your ears right and listen to this album. Stream the album in its entirety below and be sure to cop the limited edition digi-pack here.

New vs. Old