In mid-2012, Angel Haze burst onto many people’s radars (ours included) with her raw and unassuming brand of poignant lyricism. That brash, evocative style quickly drew the attention of Universal Records, who signed the New York native despite just one official release under her belt (the excellent Reservation EP). Flash forward to late 2013, and tensions between Haze and label execs became strained after the rapper prematurely leaked her debut album Dirty Gold, forcing the label to move the release date up by several months. It’s a rift that no doubt couldn’t ever be completely mended, as the 23-year-old has since departed the Universal family.
Even as she goes it solo, Haze already has several releases in the works. Before she issues her sophomore album The Flowers Are Blooming Now later this year, she will unveil an EP titled In the Winter of Wet Years by month’s end. Both the EP and full-length LP will feature Haze’s latest single “Candlxs”, which is now available for streaming below.
Here, Troy Noka’s production is a multi-faceted explosion of sounds and ideas, with fluttering flute layered directly atop harsh percussion and junk noise. Haze does her best to keep pace, readily switching from an aggressive flow into more lithe crooning, a sense of raw emotion acting as the single unifying thread. According to Haze, the song is inspired by her girlfriend, model Ireland Baldwin, and a self-painted portrait of the two serves as the song’s cover art (above).
In The Winter of Wet Years EP will span three songs, including a new track called “Games” that will debut next week.
