SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HAZEL ENGLISH – JUST GIVE IN/NEVER GOING HOME

Hazel English
Just Give In/Never Going Home
Polyvinyl

When you first hear Hazel English’s music kick in, you might guess that Beach Fossils, Wild Nothing or Day Wave just came on. English, the Sydney, Australia born artist, now resides in Oakland, CA where she met Jackson Phillips (Day Wave) and started recording with him. Her guitar work, vocal melodies and intelligent drum loops notably resemble his Phillips’ production. English’s wistful indie pop allows contains blissful simplicity, and speaks with sincerity and sympathy.

Her new double EP, Just Give In / Never Going Home, is sprinkled with dreamy synths and driving, yet melancholy, guitar riffs. The work starts off with the upbeat, “Other Lives,” in which English has pain in her voice, but seems to sing in a brave and fearless tone. The charging, clangy guitar propels the tune forward, and the bouncy drums make you want to stand up from your desk and run towards the ocean. One of the album’s title tracks, “Never Going Home,” is a more gentle and hypnotic number. English performs her own back up vocals on the track, generating a captivating call and response vibe. The choruses pick to a more peppier mode but still encapsulate a dreamy and ambient mood. On “Control,” warm synths make their way to the forefront of the song while still holding on to her own stylistic bittersweet magic.

Released last month on Polyvinyl Records, Hazel English’s newest work truly shows her imagination and creativity in her songwriting. She writes from the experiences in her life. Her lyricism is raw and evocative, she depicts existentialism, traveling, anxiety, being lost (and found) and much more. Just Give In / Never Going Home is personal and establishes a dreamy indie rock that maintains a subtle and delightful pop focus. There’s a unique balance between moody and uplifting, bitter and sweet. This talented, young dreamer is sure to send a sparkle to your eye.

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