Angel Haze - CANDLXS review • DIY Magazine

There seems to be a new trope in RnB and Hip-Hop: the meeting of ideas that absolutely shouldn’t work. Let alone this track’s panpipes (almost unheard of since early 2000s Timbaland) and the use of a Mumford & Sons sample (which, on paper, shouldn’t work either), Angel Haze is showing immense comfort singing and rapping, a duo of talents often unfairly expected of female MCs.

Over jaunty production, which combines the echo guitars of early Weeknd beats with Lex Luger hi-hats, Haze verges from intense, personal rap to a chart-botherer of a chorus; a perfect hook that displays an emerging vocal talent. We knew she could drop a verse, but there’s a song-writing talent that would put CANDLXS in the context of Rihanna, Ciara or Nicki Minaj at their most heartfelt.

Then there’s the breakdown – there’s Mumford, there’s the solo from ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ by everyone’s favourite secret Republicans, Journey, and there’s radio interference, to boot. It’s a strangely compelling side-step in a song that exudes ethereal beauty. Produced brilliantly by TROY NoKA (the kick-drum is emphatic, to put it lightly), this shows off Angel Haze at her current best. Emphasis on current.

Listen to ‘CANDLXS’ below:

Tags: Angel Haze, Reviews, Listen