Hi all, gonna write a short review, today.. we will talk about an album called 'Old Friend' by Hazel City. It released on 23rd June 2023, yes! Today marked as the first anniversary for the album! Congratulations.. To be honest, Hazel City's song can be my lifetime soundtrack. Because I felt it relate to mine. I just really like his art, songs, and music! I will try to write a short review of this album based on my opinions.
This album consist of nine songs, i.e: Rain; Sailor; Becca; Snow; Gorgeous; Really; Dirt; Rain 2; and Root. My favorites are Rain, Becca, Gorgeous, and Root... Having to know Clay in Twin Peaks and seeing him doing a solo makes me wonder how he expressed his own music. Been watching a lot of Twin Peaks videos, but one video during lock-down covid era time in 2020 was giving me a guidance. He was doing a charity of a magazine under the name of Twin Peaks. Clay played three songs (Sweet Thing, Stain, I Don't Want to Miss You). You can watch the video on here:
Link to the video. Generally, the video is him and his guitar a very simple set. This album is look a lot like it, simple but it brings comforts to its listeners. I don't know in musical ways, but I heard piano sound, guitar, percussions, and extra sounds sometimes such as phone ringing, someone's conversations also put on the song in the album (makes more unique). As the album consist of nine songs, I'll be grouping them by three parts. Okay, here we go..
Part 1:
The album was first started with a solo piano, melody, the song called
"Rain" very calm music. It tells a story of a man waiting for his girl, wondering where she is and pray for the girl to be safe and come home as he is eagerly to meet with her. I think the song is very sweet, also this one song has its own video directed by Clay Frankel and Jackson James (link:
Check the video on here). Second song called
"Sailor" a love song by the romantic Clay. I can hear he plays guitar on here, acoustic one I suppose. Then, a violin...? There's a solo violin at minute 01:23 of the song (correct me if its not a violin sound). The song was ended by the phrases of "You're the one I love." Third song, my fav
"Becca" female vocalist... when I heard this song, I remember an American Folk Song like Everly Brothers what I mean is emphasized a story... because if you know the lyrics (the most variables one). It has many parts. I really like how the song sounded, the lyrics, well its kind of a sad story though.
Part 2:
"Snow" it is an instrumental music, I think it's a piano... but at the start we can hear a conversation... then comes to the gentle music. the song only lasted not more than 80 seconds. Fourth song also my fav "Gorgeous" hehehe very sweet song but sad at the same time... very relatable with my love live tbh. This could be my life time soundtrack! "Really" a combo Clay and the female vocalist singing together. I think it's a guitar sound, it is a gloomy song. The main character was in love with someone but I think the feeling not reciprocate, and main character wonders around and asking by itself some questions.. like what they sung on the songs.
Part 3:
Final part... "Dirt" I don't really know what instrument he plays on this song.. I'm afraid to guess, I think there is also piano it supposed. But whenever I hear this song what I remember was an old movie "Cold Mountain" because it has the same vibes of music as in that movie. Traditional, old american kind music. I think this song was telling about a boy expressing about his ex... hehe maybe... a disappointment. "Rain 2" female vocalist, I could tell that this song expressed a sincerity in loving someone. I can't tell any others... very deeper meaning.. Lastly, my first fav song from the album "Root" I can hear guitar... the song tells a support to someone that being adored by the main character. Also the main character was keep reminding the person an affirmation about rooting them and promise for future "So, here's getting good and old."
Wait we haven't talk about the cover! The cover for the album is a silhouette of gargoyle in full of greenish vibe. For a complete listen, Clay uploaded his songs on Spotify:
Link to stream the album. Well, for an update Clay is now on tour with Waxahatchee.. also with Colin Croom too as her guitarist and pianist. I saw a couple of his posts, Clay paints some arts too. Thank you for sharing your music to the world.. I do really entertain by your art, keep moving forward and success for Clay!
Thank you for reading... happy weekend, as an update I had finished my sketched of Far Thinking last week, gonna do coloring first then up on the blog..
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Old Friend by Hazel City Cover
(picture gathered from Spotify) |
