H A Z E – Shadow

Oh we like this! We like this a lot. H A Z E’s debut EP, which includes the single “shadow” is a joy to listen to. We can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear it. We feel quite privileged to have been given the opportunity to be one of the first to hear it.

Available direct to YouTube on February 2. Go subscribe to their channel and you can hear it the moment it’s available.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeK3imiSLQ_FE80Yk3mfCg

With a real laid back, Portishead-style feel to the song, Haze have managed to create a song which somehow manages to feel euphoric throughout. It’s not especially a song that develops, but switching on the song at any given point will make the listener feel positive and uplifted.
‘Shadow’ has great use of reverbs throughout the song to give it plenty of space, whilst also having a real quality vocal performance throughout. Its intimate and breathy and I love that you can hear all the nuances in her voice, in the same way you can with a vocalist like Christina Aguilerra or Joss Stone. Well recorded and well performed.

I’m drawn in by unique chord changes and subtle instrumentation with soaring moments that made me close my eyes and just let it wash over me. There’s a particularly exhilarating moment on guitar at 2m34s that made me nod in approval!

In search of criticism, purely because I promised I’d give a detailed review, rather than because there’s anything to dislike about the track, I’d bring up the sub bass to make the kick drum feel more like a heartbeat (It feels as though that’s what the artist was going for?). A gradual increase in volume the higher you go in the frequencies would bring out the breathiness in the vocals and just lift the life into them a little more. I wasn’t enamoured by the high percussion that came in at 45 seconds in. It felt out of time and briefly interrupted my enjoyment of the track.

At 4 1/2 minutes, Shadows would be a long track to be considered for commercial air play, but that didn’t affect my personal enjoyment. Congratulations to HAZE for a stunning debut EP and a great introduction to a very unique style. We look forward to hearing more.

We give this song 4 ears out of 5