With “Kniga emocij #2,” or “Book of Emotions - Part 2,” Czelovek yields a small but expressive EP that reads like one’s very own diary turned into sound. Clocking in at just 15 minutes across six tracks, the project alternates fluidly between rap and reggae influences and explores various emotional states without ever sounding scattershot. There’s a warmth to the production and an honesty in the delivery that suggests this isn’t about chasing trends so much as reconnecting with people who grew up alongside the artist. Reflective, melodic, and grounded in lived experience, it registers another confident step that Czelovek has taken in his continuing evolution since returning to the public eye by way of streaming.
The ride starts with “Gotow,” establishing the emotional tenor of the EP while indicating it’s time to go forward. It flows placidly yet purposefully, achieving that rare equilibrium of rhythms to a haunting melody underneath, and away the listener goes. It announces the concept of each song as a chapter, not through grand gestures, but rather by setting moods. That vibe translates effectively on “Wodymutnye (feat. Sum),” where the partnership contributes texture and contrast. The reggae-tinged groove rounds the edges, summoning a hazy reflective energy that feels communal rather than confrontational. Between them, these opening tracks set the EP out as an introspective but open book, one grounded in feeling over flash.
As the EP flows through, “Denzadnem” suggests a sense of continuation. The song feels patient and grounded, on a rock-steady beat that approximates the rhythm of daily stopping and starting. There’s a strength in the quiet way that it unfolds, indicating resilience and stability without ever needing to spell it out. Capping the standout run is “Tebia pret,” which offers a sudden surge of vitality. It’s more immediate and expressive, a blending of the melodic with rhythm that feels almost conversational. The song completes the emotional arc of the EP, but rather than with finality, it gives the listener momentum.
But overall, “Kniga emocij #2” succeeds through an understanding of precisely what it aspires to be. It doesn’t wear out its welcome, nor does it attempt to stuff too much into its brief running time. Instead, Czelovek aims for clarity of mood and connection and lets each song breathe as its own emotional chapter. It’s a lean, thoughtful release that showcases his knack for merging genres while adhering to his voice, a little book maybe, but one full of meaning.