Josman - SPLIT

On March 6, 2020, Josman released SPLIT, a studio album on Sideline Records that does more than simply assemble tracks; it dissects his identity like the film by M. Night Shyamalan. Across these 23 tracks, he explores the duality of existence, internal struggles, and emotional conflicts. Far from a linear structure, the album is organized into mirror facets, leaving listeners free to choose the one that resonates with their own journey.

A thematic genesis defined by anchoring in the film SPLIT and exploring existential duality through 23 personality facets

The intention is clear: Josman isn't just looking to rap; he wants to present a mosaic of his psyche. This intimate, sometimes divisive project draws its inspiration from the film's narrative where characters are split into two opposing entities. This visual metaphor translates into dense sonic content that addresses existential duality, illustrating internal struggles and emotional conflicts that inhabit the artist. It is a conceptual endeavor where each track can be seen as a piece of a larger puzzle, inviting the public to navigate between these different versions of themselves.

The sonic architecture where mastering credited to Nikola Feve (Nk.F) ensures global coherence despite specific producers who are sometimes vague

Technically, the sonic envelope is framed by a specific role: Nikola Feve (Nk.F) is credited with mastering the album. This is a distinct technical intervention aimed at standardizing the dynamics and clarity of the tracks. However, unlike a monolithic production where every song would be signed by the same producer, the specific producers for each track are not always clearly indicated in available sources. This lack of transparency regarding production credits creates a homogeneous yet mysterious sonic texture, where emphasis is placed on the voice and lyrics rather than studio identities.

Dense lyrics set in an urban context illustrated by varied features such as Leto, Seth Gueko, and Zed, which enrich the project's palette

The vocal richness of the album is enhanced by five documented collaborations that punctuate Josman's journey. These contributions are not mere additions but serve to broaden the sonic horizons of the project. On Mauvaise Humeur, Leto (6) brings an extra dimension to the track, creating an interesting contrast with the artist's solo approach. Similarly, on Argent, Drogue & Sexe, Seth Gueko steps in to enrich the song's palette, adding a distinct narrative texture. On Bruce Wayne, it is Zed (47) who takes over, bringing his own energy and style to the composition. Further into the album, Hamza (6) is credited on Bitch for contributing to the development of the track, while Chily (2) appears on Dégaine, punctuating this specific moment in the sequence with his own signature. These five features, spread across the record, transform SPLIT into a collective experience while maintaining the coherence of the intimate project initiated by Josman.

A contrasting yet promising artistic review where the intimate project presents 23 tracks exploring deep and personal themes

The critical reception of this album is nuanced, oscillating between recognition of its ambition and reservation about its final form. Some observers note that SPLIT reads more like a playlist or mixtape than a real album, an observation that questions the narrative density of a project composed of 23 tracks. Others, however, praise the lyrical approach and Josman's ability to deliver a project that is more intimate than introspective, offering 23 facets of his personality to his audience. It is a work defined by this freedom of choice granted to the listener; feel free to choose the one that suits you best and make good use of it. Between the ambition of a mixtape/playlist and the success of an intimate album, SPLIT remains a project where Josman delivers a sonic exploration of duality, framed by credible mastering and enriched with varied features to serve a project composed of 23 tracks inspired by the eponymous film.