H A Z E is an electronic rock project created by Hazel Smith, the former frontwoman of D’Haze. Hazel is now going her own way within the musical world, with her EP, Future/Past, being a great sign of things to come. There are just four songs on the EP, but each one is fabulous enough to make you want for more.
By Jane Howkins
The EP starts out stylistically with opener My. A dark bassline creeps through the music, creating a suitable atmosphere that ramps up as the song progresses. Hazel’s vocals are quite low at first, but they rise up higher and higher on the chorus, elevating the music even further. A set of gorgeous synth lines swirl in the background, with a guitar solo appearing later on. It’s a great song to start things off with.
Shadow is up next. It’s a mellower piece of music, changing the tone of the EP completely. It’s more of a folk song at times, although it’s more in the contemporary style of the genre. A steady beat pulsates away in the background, adding a nice rhythm underneath Hazel’s vocals. More and more background elements are added over time, however the vocals still remain at the forefront of the music throughout.
Owe Me is similar in terms of style to the previous track, although it’s a little more upbeat. It starts out slowly, before the banging chorus appears, changing the tempo and adding in more elements. It’s a pop song of sorts, perfectly bridging the gap between modern pop music and a more classic, 80s sound. The drums sound huge as a fuzzy guitar riff and some glorious synths throb away in the background.
Anywhere But Home is the final track on Future/Past. A pulsating synth melody can be heard in the background, adding a cool rhythm to the piece. The drums soon kick in though, taking this steady piece of music into a more frantic pop-rock tune. The vocals are particularly astounding here, as they reach some amazing high notes on the chorus. It’s a great song to end on, showing just how talented Hazel really is.
Future/Past is a bit of a genre-bending EP, taking elements from the rock, pop, electronica, new wave and folk genres and mixing them all into one amazing package. If that sounds good, you really ought to check out H A Z E!
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