Theophilus London's new single, “I Stand Alone,” includes a dose of movie-induced patriotism.
Photo: Jonathan Mannion

Theophilus London is nothing if not eclectic. The Trinidad-born, Brooklyn-dwelling MC gets his influences from a wide variety of artists and musical genres: hip-hop, R&B, electro, indie rock, Morrissey.

At first listen, his latest single, “I Stand Alone,” seems heavily influenced by the dance-y rock of The Police. But that’s not the only thing that’s infused into the song’s triumphant vibe. It also possesses a hint of patriotism, brought on by a trip to Stockholm, where the rapper spent each night watching movies.

“I watched Gaspar Noé’s I Stand Alone and it took me three nights to watch it,” London said in an e-mail to Wired.com. “Every night I would watch 30 minutes of it. It was brave, it was searing, very hard but exciting to watch. The next day in the studio I started writing the record. I felt like I had to rep U.S.A. Being a being and standing alone in this world. ‘I Stand Alone’ is my favorite record on this album.”

The track comes from London’s upcoming Timez Are Weird These Days, an album filled with an ever-in-flux array of music styles. Due out July 19, it’s the full-length, major-label debut for London, who made a name for himself by releasing This Charming Mixtape and the I Want You mixtape online.

To hear more of London’s groove, check out “I Stand Alone” and other tracks in the player below and don’t miss the video for the album’s lead single, “Last Name London.”