It’s truly a delight to encounter an artist with the joie de vivre of Timothy Lee McKenzie, aka Labrinth. Achieving such a level of contentment wasn’t easy for the London renaissance man. While much of his work lately has focused on composing – he created the score for the hit television series Euphoria – and production for the likes of Kanye West and Beyonce, Labrinth has also released his second solo album. The follow-up to 2012’s Electronic Earth, Imagination & The Misfit Kid is definitely worth the seven-year wait.

Semi-fantastical and semi-autobiographical – but fully danceable – it’s a concept album of sorts, documenting a young man’s attempt to navigate his way through the music industry.

“My biggest message with this album is to stay true to your creative ambitions,” says the 30-year-old creative. “I’m finding what true success is, even if it seems small compared to someone else. I think it’s the best way to try and create things.”

Despite all the year's accomplishments, though, it wasn’t anything music-related that topped the highlight reel for Labrinth in 2019.

“My favourite moment of the year was when my daughter said ‘Hi’, and I heard her voice for the first time,” he beams. “I was like ‘Wow, that’s so incredible.’ It was the smallest thing, but it was amazing.”

To read the full interview with Labrinth, pick up your own copy of the Hot Press Christmas issue, in all good stores now, or available for purchase below.

https://open.spotify.com/album/0FSsRH1jeZqKbGcHwq3UO0?si=JGNAUhihTyK8fkyVS1rcUA