Live Review: Still Woozy's 'Lately' EP is filled with love songs for the observationist

Since releasing his first track ‘Vacations’ in 2017, we've been hot on the tail of croon-king, honey-voiced STILL WOOZY aka Sven Gamsky. Naming him one of our Artists to Watch in 2018, - though the addition of tracks to his discography started slowly - he has lived up to the expectations we held for him. Added to this year’s Coachella and Lollapalooza line-ups aside artists such as The Strokes, Tame Impala, Childish Gambino, Mac Demarco and Billie Eilish, as well as playing to his own sold-out crowds, Still Woozy adds the drop of his debut EP to his list of accolades.

Still Woozy’s Lately EP - which sees him hone his signature style into just 5-tracks - is a depiction of his evolvement as an artist, teetering endearingly between R&B, indie-pop and electronic. Not only does it encompass his early 2017 works, sharing themes with tracks ‘Vacations’, ‘Goodie Bag’ and ‘Cooks’, but it also holds a new nuanced direction for Still Woozy’s music.

‘Ipanema’, a standout track from the EP is proof of this. Omar Apollo and Elujay contribute to the track, and interestingly, it's the only collaborative tune on the record. 'Ipanema' infuses Spanish influence, namely a flamenco inspired backing beat, creating a bilingual track still true to Still Woozy’s idiosyncratic lyrical style.

Another standout track is ‘Habit’, released as the EP's first single in late 2018. ‘Habit’ explores how his music continues to be love songs for the observationist; bringing to the forefront the minute details most take for granted. What is captivating about this is not only his keen eye for the understated human condition, but also his ability to translate that into song.

Other tracks on the EP include funky opener ‘Lava’, melancholy ‘Foolsong’ and the closing track ‘Maybe She’.

Beginning his musical journey in the late band Feed Me Jack, which followed the same pulled back R&B and warm, buttery pop of his recent releases, Still Woozy’s influences pointedly integrate their sounds between electronic and acoustic. Standing on the shoulders of giants, from Steve Lacey to Toro y Moi, the importance of easy and natural instrumentation to him was cemented in a recent interview with Records In My Life and can be seen be employed throughout this EP.

Still Woozy is the master of minute detail and subtle annotation, an atavistic romantic whose songs delve hesitantly into the world of love. He has created a standout EP, and one that I believe stands as one of the most impressive of the year. Simple, yet masterful in its production value, one can only shake their head in disbelief when they realise that most of the recording comes straight out of his garage. With big shows on the horizon, he will continue to be one to watch in the following few months as he's just warming things up.

Photo by KEVIN CORDON

Words by JULIE FENWICK

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