Chris Haze - World Outside

On debut album ‘World Outside’, Galway boy Chris Haze forges a sound that manages to package neo-soul, contemporary hip hop and Ed Sheeran-esque singer/songwriter styling to produce something that is entirely inoffensive yet diverse enough to make for an interesting listen. His sound is one that given a bigger budget to spend on production could easily top nationwide charts, but nevertheless his debut lays the foundation for what will no doubt be an interesting career.

‘World Outside’ opens with the sound of a guitar being taken from a gigbag, tuned up, and a vocal warm-up which we hear again during the chorus of Questions (“So if you could reverse time/Would you change the highs/The lows/The times you cried”), before counting off into the first track proper, The Path. It is evidence of the distinctive qualities that Haze has carved out for himself thus far: a soulful croon, interlocking guitar leads, an ear for a good melody and a catchy hook.

Haze proves not to be a one-trick pony, however. Questions is built upon dramatic, minor piano chords and twinkling synth patches. Over & Over is driven by some interesting percussion tracks, juxtaposing handclaps with tribal beats and multi-layered vocal takes. The same ambition towards producing a multifaceted sound does sometimes hurt the album, however. On Somewhere New the synth strings sound corny, as do the guitar leads and gated reverb effect on the drums. The wah-wahed guitar licks over the top of Notions take away from the sincerity and emotion of the ballad. Many of the pitfalls of the album however come not from lack of talent or good ideas but rather the lack of a big studio budget to execute them.

The lyrics on ‘World Outside’ are somewhat one-dimensional, and ultimately sentimental and harmless. But what shines throughout is their positive message. On The Path we are reminded, “Sometimes the path we walk is long… So just do your best to stay strong”. Never Seem Enough offers us the advice, “If you feel like there’s nothing left/close your eyes and take a deep breath”. The album is peppered with clichéd inspirational quotes but it’s hard not to take some positivity from that when they’re delivered in such a soulful, half-sung/half-rapped manner reminiscent of the iconic Slimkid3 of The Pharcyde. At times pitchy and nasal, Haze delivers with clarity and flow.

All in all, on ‘World Outside’, Chris Haze has laid the groundwork for a bright future in the Irish music scene and perhaps beyond. It my not be the most polished or innovative offering but it is an honest document of a young man making a name for himself.