Still Woozy: “If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is” (Album Review)

Genres: Bedroom Pop  Synthpop, Alternative R&B

        For years, Still Woozy has been a creative powerhouse, bringing a sense of uniqueness and unconventionality to the bedroom pop scene. Not being afraid to carry weirdness into music is a great attribute that makes up some of the best songs on If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is. 

        This album has a rougher start, with the stronger tracks being on the record’s latter half. This structure is interesting as it shows Still Woozy’s growing willingness to experiment across the album. The weaker tracks are just too plain to stand out. It’s interesting to see how this glaring flaw diminishes, as If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is progresses. Personally, this is a sign of Still Woozy learning from making his first album, and although unintentional, shows his development as an artist.

        There’s a lot of charm in Still Woozy’s DIY pop songs, and this charm is really what holds this album together. Still Woozy creates an atmosphere of fun and oddities, which is a fresh perspective to view things from. It feels like his honestly lies in his peculiarities, which makes a lyrically simple song like “Drake” so compelling emotionally. The synth focused and sunny production does wonder in making catchy and memorable songs such as “All Along”. Having a sense of flair to create a more dynamic sound doesn’t spread out across the entire album, unfortunately, with the lingering feeling that Still Woozy could have done more exploration outside of his comfort zone.

         Still Woozy’s greatest strengths aren’t shown consistently throughout this record, as he struggles to display the importance of If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is as an album compared to his numerous past singles. Despite this, even at his worst Still Woozy creates multiple fun if not creative hits. Although trying to abide by a harsher level of structure ended up taking away from his free-spirited sound, Still Woozy still brings excitement and emotion to If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is.

Favorite Tracks: Kenny, Drake, Get Down, Rocky, All Along, Before You Were Mine, Woof, Get By

Least Favorites: WTF

Enjoyment: High 7

Critically: High 6*

Arbitrary Number: 6.8/10**

*changed from High 7 to High 6 12/24/2022 

**changed from 7.8/10 to 6.8/10 12/24/2022