LEMZI has released his first track of 2021, a track with a message that we all need to hear during the ongoing pandemic. ‘Zen’ encapsulates the necessity for finding serenity and embracing taking care of oneself. To LEMZI, Zen is “a term so often shrouded in mysticism when in reality, it’s just that point of stillness/calm/harmony between your noises and sounds.” The artist stated that he practices mindfulness by praying, being around those he cares about, with long walks and music being his main form of meditation – ‘new, good music always inspires me and takes me to another space!’
Opening with the calming yet catchy hook, the single invokes that feeling of peacefulness. The track then adds a tempo shift with a driving hip hop beat complimenting LEMZI’s notable, clever lyricism, dropping motivational bars such as ‘still hidden gems round every end / you ain’t gotta dim your light so that they can blend’. The wordsmith continues to show his talent throughout, highlighting existential thoughts that many can resonate with – ‘I got a feeling that my kids will never see a forrest / I can’t trust too many MPs if the leaders Boris’. Ambient sounds are heard toward the end of the track such as birds, suiting the overall message and calming flow of the track.
Speaking to MxDwn UK, LEMZI stated that the track was written pre-COVID in late 2019, ‘but between me and Flomine, the producer/engineer of E11 studios, we just left it for a while. Then throughout 2020 I was inactive with music. Going through some personal turmoil at the time, I stepped back from music and concentrated on myself more. A lot of introspection, journaling, walking (where I found the locations for the video), in-depth conversations with my cousin and good friend Tonz. So who I finally got back in to the studio and feeling more myself, it felt right to give focus to this.’
The single is accompanied by a music video, shot by PRFL Productions, that delves in to East London – from bustling markets stalls to idyllic landscapes and nature spots with the creative explaining his philosophies and approaches to mindfulness. The contrast between the different scenes throughout the video, from opening with a loud fire engine blaring past to the vibrant yet tranquil forests seems to be intentional – ‘I wanted to make sure I got across the dichotomy of living in somewhere as hectic as London but finding the moments and environments within it that you can separate yourself from the Noises.’
The track invites the listener to think about their own serene state and how to catch their own Zen. Within LEMZI’s video, the artist speaks about his own way of getting away from the Noises and listening to the Sounds – ‘the stuff that builds you up and keeps you moving forward.’ He states, ’Sometimes you’re just down and feel shit. For 2020 in particular you have to distinguish between the Noises and the Sounds…. There’s always gonna be Noises – there’s always gonna be bills to pay, someone pissing you off, your football team losing a match. But where are the Sounds within that, around that and beyond that?”
The take home message from the track is important, especially regarding the intensities of emotions throughout the recent lockdowns. Being able to distinguish between the Noises and Sounds, finding out your individual, main form of meditation and practicing mindfulness will all be ways to catch your Zen. LEMZI invokes this message within the thoughtful and upbeat track, with his witty wordplay and infectious beat that leaves the listener hopeful and soothed.
‘Zen’ is out now on all digital platforms. Watch the music video below!
