Still Woozy: The Perfect Puzzles
When a Still Woozy song comes on, you know that a Still Woozy song has come on. Though he struggles (and refuses) to assign himself a genre, you can usually find his music under “psychedelic pop” or “bedroom pop,” like the playlist I found him on two years ago. Woozy’s sound is what I describe as happy music. It’s what you play when going on a drive on a summer day, the sun is shining and just for a moment, everything feels fine.
Sven Gamsky, the man behind Still Woozy, has made his name with one EP released in early 2019 and just a handful of singles. Each of them speaks the language of love, which we can imagine are dedicated to his fiancée, Amiya Cooks, whom he proclaims he is endlessly inspired by. From the passion she puts into her own art to the details in things like the clothes she wears, his art is a dedication to her, and is empowered by her.
We can only ever hope to be as in love as Gamsky, with Lately being a collection of bedroom pop ballads. A real hit on the record is “Lava,” in which he is completely consumed and enamoured by his lover. Opened with synth instrumentation and the most genius trills hidden lightly under the sounds of a guitar, Gamsky becomes completely immobilised by his lover’s traits and quirks (“That’s when I’m melting / when I’m melting”), expressed easily with his laid-back, calming voice. He doesn’t need to hit the high-notes, he doesn’t need to belt; his music works in the way water trickles down a stream– effortlessly, quietly.
With the catchiest beats, the most soothing synth and entrancing, easy lyrics, there isn’t a song of his that doesn’t hit the spot. He is a master of layering and you know that his art is meticulously produced. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Gamsky makes sure his music sounds exactly as he envisions it. It’s for this reason that he vows to self-produce: so that he can love the song, baby it, bring it up, and allow it to live up to its ultimate potential.
Photo courtesy of artist.
The music is intimate and personal, and that’s why we love it. Listening to a Woozy song is like reading his diary where he professes his truest feelings. When asked whether the pandemic that has swept the entire world off its feet has made that importance of intimacy any stronger, he said it has only reinforced it. If the pandemic has given him anything, it’s the time to focus on his work. Being unable to multitask, a quality he wishes to inhabit, he has been awarded the chance to take it easy, take it slow, and perfect his sound.
Earlier this month, Woozy released his new single “BS” with cover artwork by his fiancée. As the song opens, you’re transported to when you’d play video games on your PS1 back in the 2000s and groove along to the little theme tune at the start. In this nostalgic sounding song, Sven touches upon his more individual confessions, teasing at the idea of unwanted thoughts (“I got a million voices in my head, hollow”) that he just wants to “throw away.” I’m sure many of us can relate what with the pandemic making us go mad, but we are lucky to have Still Woozy’s discography to turn to. And, equally, Gamsky says making his music helps him get away from his issues, too.
“BS” is littered with unique adlibs, a feature becoming known to Still Woozy what with his “Don’t be maaad”s in “BS” and his “Uh okay”s in “Window,” another track released early into lockdown. He does more than just sing to pretty beats; he fully manipulates the creative medium, carries you through the song, and makes you experience it. When you’re “all alone” in “BS,” the beat stops, and you're left with an isolated synth sound, sucking you in and throwing you back out as it continues again. Gamksy perfectly fills what would otherwise be lonely spaces in his music, and all the little components complete his puzzles.
Still Woozy’s latest single “BS” is now out on all streaming services and has released a music video on YouTube. Make sure to check it out, you won’t regret it.