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Jozem presents self produced, debut album 'it came to me in a dream'





Toronto based, (via Kenya & Rwanda) singer, songwriter, producer and all round artist Jozem finally presents his exquisite, entirely self-produced debut album, it came to me in a dream. Utterly haunting, completely chill-inducing and filled with layer upon layer of texture, vivid imagery and soul stirring soundscapes, it came to me in a dream, is the true definition of alternative RnB. One which Jozem presents in his uniquely intoxicating, explorative concoction of sound featuring threads of neo-soul and a warm emanating and reverberating Lo-fi haze.


Exactly as the name suggests, this 10 track album is the sonic experience and interpretation of a dream world, all of Jozems creation. Right from the very first, heady, heavy breath of opening single ‘Breathe’ all the way through to the final offering and most recent single and video ‘Youth’, you find yourself entrapped, encased and entranced in another world. Stepping softly, Jozem drenches you in his atmospheric, soulful and incredibly thought provoking lyricism which is thick with poeticism, introspection and enigmatic power.



A blend of electronic production culminating in epic synth work, alongside eerie and cinematic vocal effects, Jozem expertly incorporates field recordings into his music, adding a depth of flavour, intrigue and an incomparable understanding of not only his environment but also of himself and the art in which he wants to portray. He forever encapsulates a feeling, a place, a moment in time within his music, which instantly transports the listener, taking them on an immersive journey with each and every track.


Describing the single ‘Foreign’, Jozem poignantly shares,


“In life, with all its noise and distractions, it is so easy to just keep going with the flow that you lose sight of your purpose and forget how you got to where you are.


Foreign is about being lost and getting to a juncture where you are forced to face yourself and the person you have become. You start questioning who you are and question the relationships with the people who you love. Foreign is about bravely sitting in those moments of uncertainty, letting yourself question the things that you've been conditioned into believing about yourself, who you should be, and how you present to the world.


For me, it is often in my sleepless nights where I am alone and cannot hide where I have these conversations with myself and am forced to reckon with the demons that haunt me. Ultimately it is in these moments where you really can face your truth and strive to align your being and your actions with who you truly are and want to be.”



Each release Jozem shares is intrinsically tied to his core being, representing a tiny insight to not only who he is as an artist but also uncovers direct details of his unique human experience. Every offering an opportunity, which Jozem grasps with both hands as he undeniably shares a little piece of his soul with his audience, marking a truly rare and inspiring gift.


Featuring 5 previously released singles ‘Breath’ , ‘Dreams’, ‘Water Me’, ‘Goderich’ and ‘Youth’, Jozem perfectly balances the album with 5 unreleased slices of smoothness ‘ Möbius’, ‘Lunar’, ‘Danforth’ ‘The Risk’ and the albums single ‘Foreign’ which help complete the project in its entirety. Put simply, it came to in a dream is a spiritual and healing journey in sonic form.



“ it came to me in a dream is a soundscape of the last decade of my life. It is a window into my soul. It touches on my dreams, my fears, my goals and aspirations. It covers pivotal moments in my life, such as reconnecting with the country that birthed me, and that which raised me, as I continue my yearning for something that feels like home, spiritually and physically. It touches on themes of emancipation of self as I examine my relationship with myself and those that I love, my relationship with my spirituality, my sexuality and my music, as I learn more about how I want to love and be loved. It is about facing my fears, facing the demons that haunt me at night, truly having a conversation with myself and ultimately working towards being my most authentic self whilst finding my purpose in this life.


I produced this album in its entirety. Working on it over the past few years was a true lesson in exercising patience and letting go of the things that I have no control over. It was a lesson in trusting my own instincts, trusting my own voice and listening to what my soul had to say. The title ‘it came to me in a dream’ is in reference to my creative process, the organic way that this project came together, and the manner in which the melodies, lyrics and visions came to me, at times quite literally in my dreams.


I hope people receive it with the love and vulnerability with which it was created. I hope people can relate to the joys and the struggles, that their experience listening to this music can be as cathartic and healing as it was for me.” - Jozem




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