Alex Mejias Releasing 'Kingdom Land'

Nov 19 2018

Richmond-based soul/gospel musician Alex Mejias is releasing his debut album, 'Kingdom Land,' on November 30th. A hyper-local album which transcends cultural and generational borders, the record delves into themes often overlooked in sacred music including suffering, justice, sacraments and the motherhood of God, to name a few.

Drawing from a wide range of American cultural sources - from early Methodism to Memphis R&B - Kingdom Land lays out a set of spiritual songs recorded at Spacebomb Studios in Richmond, Virginia. Alex Mejias created a worship record for a post-evangelical community, using the powerful lyrics of various hymn traditions, some well-crafted personal compositions, and a crew of world-class musicians living in central Virginia. The album reflects his own evolving experience of faith, fully engaged in the world, valuing complexity in mood, texture and quality of sound. Produced by cult country-soul producer Matthew E. White, Kingdom Land is a sober triumph, a unique combination of song and intent. It’s a cinematic, engaging listen that accomplishes the difficult task of serving liturgical purpose and standing on its own as a piece of recording art.


After years and years of working in and around “church music,” Mejias shifted his focus toward direct efforts at restorative justice in his community. He stopped leading music in services and started a relief bail bond fund. Kingdom Land was made on the cusp of this personal transition and during a time of deep political turmoil in America. The election of the 45th president threw the hypocritical politics of the evangelical movement in sharp relief. The empty words and mediocre melodies of the modern praise song reflect the health of the body of Christ. From the opening phrases of “Mother,” in both sound and message, Kingdom Land establishes its own tone, far removed from most contemporary works in a similar genre, creating a sustained sense of mystery and hope, a spiritual soundtrack to modern times. Mejias is a relaxed and assured vocalist, conveying the emotion of these old and new texts, the sadness and celebration, pain and moments of relief.

The classic recording process, Spacebomb House Band playing a living music with intuition and feeling, captures an immediacy throughout Kingdom Land, supported by the depth of the lyrics, songwriting, arrangements and vocals. These elements in clear display on a track like “Bread of the World” with its languid, cinematic unfolding, lean and darkly swinging development, painted with silvery strings. Kingdom Land is a considered work of meditation and pleasure, to sing with or absorb quietly, seven songs of longing and urgency, sorrow and connection. An attempt to reconcile the sublime impulse with the reality of human failure and need, through the most sacred and ancient of art forms. To arrive in the Kingdom Land is to arrive at a place outside of oneself, a place to clear the mind and lift the soul to action.

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