Future/Past by H A Z E: EP Review

by Gabe Finch January 23, 2023

January 23, 2023

Future/Past by H A Z E: EP Review

‘Future/Past’ is H A Z E’s debut EP, the accomplishment of years of stylistic and personal research. H A Z E takes a turn into darker, more ethereal sounds, still blending rock and electro influences. The artist also experimented a lot more with vocal harmonies in tracks such as ‘Shadow’ – influenced by Billie Eilish’s emblematic use of backing vocal melody lines – and ‘Anywhere but Here’ – in which she carefully crafted a full choir with operatic influences as an ode to her mother’s career. In ‘Future/Past’, H A Z E dives into deep emotions to close a chapter of her artist life as she has now moved to Paris to explore new musical and personal horizons.

The four-track EP kicks off with ‘Mv,’ which has a layered composition that includes distorted guitar solos, trip-hop rhythms, and gritty synth bass is a song about loving someone infinitely. H A Z E’s powerful voice and skilled composition make this song an emotional powerhouse. ‘Shadow’ is the complete opposite, being unable to safely retreat from a loving relationship, slows things down, letting us hear some dramatic tones and some lengthy, prolonged vocal notes. Reckless Jacks provides guest vocals to keep things moving forward on ‘Owe Me’, which is a song about forgiving your loved ones for their mistakes. The final track, ‘Anywhere but Here’ talks about the artist’s love/hate relationship with the city of London which is a sophisticated way for the EP to end.

Needless to say, H A Z E’s expressive singing will be ringing in your ears after this one.