“Worried” is a powerful track from Jack Gassen, expanding from piano-driven singer/songwriter intimacy into captivating neo-classical exploration. Aesthetically, I’m fondly reminded of Plush’s debut album More You Becomes You, engrossing emotively with powerful piano melodies, raw vocals, and clever shifts. A darker piano drop around the 30-second mark fully intrigues, the production succeeding in the swapping between minimalist piano and more expansive hints. The classical-minded section begins in the second half, where haunting piano minimalism is joined by an elongated vocal croon. “Worried” is a thorough success from the Washington-based multi-instrumentalist.
Gassen explains more about the track below:
“‘Worried’ came from a place of frustration with myself over my habit of worrying over everything and overthinking my life. This is a part of myself that I have struggled a lot with and am working to greet with love and curiosity rather than hatred. The subject “you” who I am singing to in the song is purposefully unclear, even to myself a bit. At times, I wrote words directed at whatever power we call “god”, but others are written to an audience who may be listening, or to my lovely girlfriend and partner. I like the fact that the lyrics put you in my shoes and you are left questioning who I am talking to and what that might reveal about the meaning behind the song. Or it’s all just words and I’m overthinking it all too much!”
—
“Worried” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of March 2021’ Spotify playlist.