Album Review
Hazlett – Goodbye To The Valley Low: Side B
Australian folk musician Hazlett released the excellent six track EP Goodbye To The Valley Low late in 2023. The collection of haunting acoustic tracks was recorded in a remote Swedish cabin, pairing lovely songwriting with delicate melodies. He was inspired to return to the same venue to record again, and the result is another very good EP. Titled Side B, this new release complements the earlier one to make a full album.
Hazlett – or Mitchell Hazlett Lewis to give him his full name – describes the new release as tackling the unanswered questions from Side A. We are again treated to his melodic acoustic arrangements of deep lyrics sung in an expressive voice over acoustic guitar. The sounds may be relatively simple but there’s a complexity to the music.
Lead single Bones Shake opens the EP with a song that explores being away from home and the emotions that distance can evoke. But there is also a sense of achieving the clarity that separation may provide. The First Train Home is soft and the melody backing the vocals adds depth to a reflective track. Shiver is beautiful, its gentle guitar opening and melancholic vocals well matched. The wistful song reflects on making choices in life and the loneliness that uncertainty can bring.
Do You Haunt Me gives hints of the past and the struggles of moving on. I’m Not Ready To Go feels somewhat darker. It’s an anxious plea for more time, perhaps to find the answers to the many questions raised throughout the EP. The closing track Old Salt has some lovely vocal harmonies over an insistent guitar sound that drives the music forward to some sort of resolution.
Side B is a good addition to Hazlett’s musical output, its gentle tone belying some of the big themes in its lyrics. His vocals are tender and expressive and give weight to his words. Overall this is another good collection of thoughtful and melodic songs.
Label: Nettwerk
Release date: 4 October 2024