Gus Cliverwood’s latest single Bambi Eyes is enchanting and intelligent, a promise of meticulous artistry in future projects.
By Katie Stewart
Gus’s elegant, complex vocals glide over each word with effortless earnestness. He has a unique vocal style; silky verses are soft-spoken and intimate, transfixing. Upon a first listen, it was a genuine surprise to find that the four-minute song had ended so soon; it possesses a captivating and transporting quality, I found myself anxiously doting on every word.
This is undoubtedly down to Gus’s manipulation of intonation and refreshingly rhythmic vowel sounds – it’s clear that he has clear vision for his musical projects. He has an ear for production which masterfully shines through in his vocal choices and the clarity of each musical element in this track. Bambi Eyes is entirely self-produced and engineered by Gus, which I feel is integral to the ease at which the song flows and breathes with life, personality, emotion, and warmth.
The track belongs to no single genre. It begins with a beautifully stripped back, plodding feel, enforced by effective, subtle layers of guitar melodies. A simple, tom-heavy percussion accompanies later as we enter the halfway point. Its skippy-ness and light-touch feel is tentatively playful, much like the reminiscent themes of the song. It leans into classic slower tempo reggae beats despite its cool-casual contemporary tone. Quietly confident, it creates groove whilst remaining low-key.
The structure of the song is unconventional – the whole thing flowing in one long string, growing, and moving, but with familiar motifs and melodic riffs recurring with satisfying lilt. The chorus comes in only twice throughout the song, but always with perfectly placed timing and intent, and with a sense of pleading.
Directly addressing a close friend, it’s melancholic, profound, a love-letter to that person who you can completely rely on, and always have been able to, and the aching that comes with confronting not being able to see them as often as you used to. There’s this sense of desperation, of fear, of needing reassurance, but also, ultimately, of gratitude and love. Truly, this track epitomises ‘heartfelt.’
Glossy guitar, string, and horn elements, particularly in a final build towards the end, reinforce more of a hip-hop sound which, again, makes your ears prick up, impossible not to want to hang on to and sit with for a while. Distant vocal ad libs ring out like a fading memory, but, despite this, they feel bright, smiley, ending the song with a much-needed sense of optimism.
Bambi Eyes has me excited about the future of Gus Cliverwood’s discography. It’s minimalistic yet so completely impactful. His talent is tantalising and this track is well worth a listen.
The single is out now, and you can listen to it below.
