Reviews

Josin
In The Blank Space

(Dumont Dumont)

7/10

Born to a Korean mother and German father, both of whom are opera singers, it almost seems like destiny that Josin would decide to pursue a music career. Her debut album ‘In The Blank Space’ is a beautifully introspective blend of delicate vocals, fleeting instrumentals and elevated electronic influences, resulting in a rich collection of ambitious creations.

Combining pulsating drums with a chorus of instruments, the title track introduces a sense of ascension with the help of carefully weaving synths. The album continues to rise and fall throughout, with slightly more uptempo tracks such as ‘Healing’ driving momentum with repetitive drum loops contrasting to the slower, ambient synths and blissful strings on ‘Once Apart’. No surprise that ‘Burning (For A New Start)’ has seen Josin compared to Thom Yorke for her layered vocals and delicate electronic influences, which create a sense of space within the track – it makes sense when you learn the song was written in a Norwegian forest.

However, the standout moment is ‘Company’ which brings together contrasting textures from different instruments and a slightly heavier bass. It makes for an interesting switch-up from the prettier, more tender songs which surround it. It may have been refreshing to hear a couple of other tracks like this, as the sense of atmosphere is so precise in previous tracks, that its counterbalancing effect is a much welcomed taste of grittiness.

Nevertheless, ‘In The Blank Space’ is a sublime venture and ambitious concept with glowing instrumentals, chillingly vocals and beautiful dynamic contrasts. As a first taste of Josin, we can certainly anticipate great things on the horizon.