Young Scottish upstarts take the Country route
Hailing from Dundee, The Hazey Janes (presumably named after the Nick Drake song) are a four-piece band that ply their trade in what can broadly be described as Alternative Country/Americana. Fusing a countrified twang with a certain British romanticism, they tread a ground not too dissimilar to current Countryphiles Grand Drive and in the process give a big nod to past masters Big Star and fellow Scots Teenage Fanclub. This is their self-titled 6 track mini LP for the Measured record label and it’s a robust and brash debut brimming with self-belief.
The opening track “After All” is a fast punchy affair that’s tightly constructed and brightly lit with crystalline guitars and affecting harmonies. Its finely crafted pop with a deft production that pushes all the right buttons.
“Find a way” is rather less successful, again it has commendable production with interesting elements but is just too generic sounding and lacks focus.
“Of my life” is an absolute killer and the LP's high-point: impertinently crashing in with a swagger and moving along with a thrusting grace, its an immensely confident display that shows them to be talented songwriters. The vocals of lead singer Andrew Mitchell here and throughout have an aching quality that sits perfectly with the music, and when coupled with the accompanying harmonies from Alice Marrva and Liam Brennan you have an impressively expressive and emotive singing force, Alex Chilton would surely approve.
“Isabelle” and “Going home” continue to impress, the former with its lush chorus, the later with its elegant drifting Midnight Cowboyesque melodies.
The LP closes in a more down-beat mode with “Morning rain”: utilizing a plaintive harmonica coupled with sparse strings its a finely crafted end to an impressive debut, one that will see them garner much deserved praise and which should raise their profile accordingly. Most certainly a band to keep your eye on in the future.