“Blame the Moon” by Hazlett is the perfect transition song to carry you from the sunny days of summer to the misty nights of autumn. Somewhere between “seven” by Taylor Swift and “Growing Sideways” by Noah Kahan, with the gentleness of “Flume” by Bon Iver, this indie folk tune tugs at the heartstrings, its longing nostalgia seeping from every pore.
Atmospheric, acoustic, and haunting, “Blame the Moon” pens feelings of rejection, burnout, and self-loathing, condensing it all into a roughly 4-minute venture. Though, its magic isn’t just in the lyrics–the instrumentation and production creates a warm, fuzzy feeling all around, with Hazlett’s soft yet desperate voice adding a twinge of sadness, reminiscent of cozying up on a rainy day.
Bargaining as he tries to make sense of it all, Hazlett is doing everything in his power to not claim accountability, including convincing himself the universe is out to get him, despite knowing deep, deep down that isn’t the case. A song as textured and hazy as this explores those depths, even if the narrator is rather unreliable. Who knows, maybe it really is the moon’s fault.
Halzett is the Australian-born singer/songwriter who has found his voice in the Swedish countryside. His debut album, Bloom Mountain, is a more polished sound than the rawness of “Blame the Moon,” but no less inspiring. In fact, his song “Please Don’t Be” is currently featured on Spotify’s Most Beautiful Songs in the World playlist. As he ventures further into the soundscapes of indie folk, we are certain we are going to be hearing more from Hazlett.
Review by Jess Ward
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