Haze is a French artist based in London, making genre bending music by blending her influences of 80s romantic new wave and 90s industrial grunge to form a cinematic soundscape she can call her own. With “Shadow”, she achieves that exact vision.
“Shadow” has a very delicate tenderness to its sound design from the minimalist instrumentation during the verse that allows subtle percussion and a tasteful electric guitar to give room for Haze’s lead vocals. This space for the vocals to take center stage and take up most of the frequency spectrum allows Haze’s voice to wash beautifully through the mix. This early tenderness to the tone of the track is a great touch in the songwriting, providing a nice juxtaposition as the song progresses.
The song’s dynamics make a change from the first hook until the end as the drums grow bigger the guitar arrangements render, adding distortion and rhythm to its evolving tone. There’s a nice reminiscent quality to the song of the 90s dark/rock subgenres. “Shadow” certainly sounds authentic in its production and execution alongside its influences.
Contextually with the lyrics, there are references to themes of mortality and reflections on the fragility of life. The song concludes with a pretty last set of instrumental bars, as a piano is left alongside with the lead vocals, almost abruptly ending just like a life flashing before your eyes.
“Shadow” is a very solid tune for people who are searching for the authentic sound that brings originality like the likes of Nine Inch Nails and other musical projects of the alt rock eras. We look forward to what’s next from the French artist.
Written by Jon Kagan
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