SCH hits hard with "JVLIVS Prequel: Giulio"
Summary
However, this album is the "least mafia-themed" of the three "JVLIVS" albums released so far. In the fictional story where Julius becomes the big boss, this album focuses on the beginnings of the story. His birth, but also his relationship with his mother and father, which notably shape the start of the album. Later, we learn more about the reasons why Giulio's heart turned so dark, making him Julius. Through the imagined story of a gangster's rise, the S shows us he is the best at telling stories, especially when they take place in the South, along the Mediterranean coast.
A Graphic and Musical Aesthetic
SCH is not only a master storyteller but also an expert in aesthetics: he knows how to give an album its color. Visually, this is reflected in the videos, whether clips, trailers, or short films. Indeed, the artist surprised us once again by releasing a nearly 20-minute short film with a breathless pace and a true atmosphere, perhaps his best yet. The videos are filled with visual references to Italy and Marseille, the two main sources of inspiration, down to the sets and filming locations.
The journey is also culinary, with the now famous "Cannelloni" that he even made a song about, as well as an interlude where the recipe is revealed. In fact, SCH opened a pop-up restaurant before the album release, another big marketing idea. Of course, the journey is also musical, and you can sometimes feel the Mediterranean warmth in tracks like "Balafres", "Jimmy Twice", but also the darkness and melancholy associated with organized crime, as in "Cannelloni" or "Les hommes aux yeux noirs". In short, a successful canvas of SCH’s artistic universe, in line with the previous two volumes of the "JVLIVS" saga.
SCH on the Road to Success with "Giulio"
After a somewhat criticized second installment of the "JVLIVS" series, particularly regarding the sometimes unnecessary features for the story, the S seems to be heading towards a new commercial and critical success. Despite the wide variety of moods in the tracks, especially in terms of instrumentals and flows, the album maintains strong coherence, and discerning listeners will have no complaints this time. For those looking for the album's hit, there isn't necessarily a standout single yet, although "Cannelloni" has had a strong start on Spotify. But the S might well deliver a platinum album without any hits, like back in the "A7" days, where tracks weren't meant to be hits but ended up becoming them.
In terms of numbers, a hit is expected. While we probably won't see a new record in album sales, the S boasts an incredible 4.2 million streams on his album within 24 hours, placing it among the best debuts of the year. It's almost certain this album will be certified, likely quickly, gold and probably platinum. It's hard to see beyond that for now, but one thing is sure: this album will be a success. After all, there has never been a failure in SCH's discography, and it won't happen with such a solid project!