WOODZ made his comeback back in April of this year with his fifth mini-album Oo-Li. Featured on that album is the title track Journey. But way back in February, WOODZ pre-released the single ABYSS which was also featured on the mini-album. In my review for Journey, I flagged that I would return to review ABYSS and I am finally getting around to doing that today. Also, as a heads up, there will be an album review for Oo-Li in the near future!

ABYSS is a slow alternative rock song that I found myself easily captivated by. There is a lot to like in the song, from the instrumentation to the melodies. Featured in the background of ABYSS is a dominant electrical guitar that I would best describe as an instrument piece that pierces through the threshold of the song in a bold and memorable manner. The riffs complement the overall pace that is dictated by the other elements of the track (i.e., the vocals and melodies). On WOODZ’s part, I found his vocals to be emotionally charged and vulnerable, a side of the soloist in which I don’t think we have heard before. This folksy and indie approach in which he delivers ABYSS really helps make his vocals. The melodies are also extremely pleasant and swayable. Even though this does sit outside of the ballad genre, the swayable melodies are very upfront and help in my captivation. Everything mentioned above, in combination, helps ABYSS become a song that is impactful and has that “hit in the feels” result.

As mentioned in my review for Journey, the music video for ABYSS serves as the prequel to what occurs in Journey. And this video is loaded with symbolism and meaning, and doubles as a personal story from WOODZ. But here is my interpretation of the music video. The video places WOODZ in this one room in this big mansion to show us the concept of stability and how it is okay to stay in one place (figuratively, of course). WOODZ comes across multiple people in different walks of life when they drop by to collect their packages. But throughout the video, these people are shown elsewhere in that mansion, some of which were dancing about. To me, this represents that they enjoy the stability of being in one place and are content with where they are. As for WOODZ, he has the capability to leave via the door with multiple locks (all of which are locked, representing that he intentionally put himself there). This shows that during this time he also enjoys the stability and is content with where he is. Even the basement version of himself is pretty content, with no attempts to escape or leave the basement. But as the video goes on, you could see him growing tired of the same scenery. Even the lyrics of ABYSS signifies his desire to explore/move on and get to know himself more, but is scared of the unknown beyond the door. In the end, he chooses to go through the door, signifying that he is ready to move onto the next part of his life. At the same time he walks through that door, basement WOODZ gets up and leaves the basement, as well. This latter scene puts the events of Journey into motion. Aside from that quick breakdown of the video, I really liked the play of colours, with the video switching between warm and cold tones. It is extremely subtle, but it complements the idea of the known (stability) vs. the unknown (moving on).

Song – 10/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.6/10