Last Updated on 2025-06-16 by a-indie
The Natural Birth of New Work “Real Life”
-Yuuki Takita: Day Wave also participated in this work, but how did you and he discuss and envision the production process for this work? In particular, the atmosphere is different from your previous work “Wake UP!” and I feel something similar to the atmosphere of fresh guitar pop that was the main axis of “Just Give In/Never Going Home.”
Hazel English: We didn’t really discuss a lot before making songs. I wasn’t planning to make an album, and after taking a break, when I started making songs again, I somehow had enough songs to make an album. The songs naturally came together, reflecting the period when they were created.
Bridge to the Next Work
-Yuuki Takita: This work is structured as a double EP combining multiple singles and songs from the 2022 EP “Summer Nights.” Your debut EP “Just Give In/Never Going Home” had a similar format. That debut EP served as a bridge to your full album “Wake Up!” – is “Real Life” also a bridge to your next full album? If so, could you tell us what kind of work your next full album might be, as far as you’re able to share?
Hazel English: I have been working on a lot of new music and yes it’s kind of like a bridge to that I suppose. Everything always leads to the next work. I’m still figuring out the format that all these new songs will take but I’m excited to hopefully start sharing some of them soon.
A Song That Symbolizes the Album
-Yuuki Takita: Which song from this album do you feel represents your breakthrough, or which song shows the most change or evolution?
Hazel English: I think “Hamilton.” I think “Hamilton” is the most unique song on “Real Life,” or rather, it’s the song where I really tried something different. I wanted to experiment a little. I had never made a song that incorporated talk-singing before, so I made it purely for fun.
Special Release in Japan and Feelings About Analog Records
-Yuuki Takita: Regarding the CD and vinyl record being released in Japan first worldwide: Don’t you think that works with flowing melodies and colorful guitar sounds like “Real Life” can provide a different emotional experience when listened to on vinyl? Could you share your thoughts on having the vinyl version released in Japan first worldwide? And was releasing your work on vinyl your idea?
Hazel English: It’s very exciting to have the vinyl exclusively released in Japan with P-Vine who have been really great to work with! I love the way they help package the vinyl, it feels very cool and collectible to me. I feel really lucky to be able to have my work on vinyl because it does create a different listening experience, one that feels more intentional and physical.
Physical Music Listening Experience
-Yuuki Takita: Please also tell us about your own relationship with vinyl records. Do you regularly listen to music on vinyl? In today’s world where digital streaming is mainstream, I think artists are also changing how they deliver music, and listening to music on vinyl records has become a precious music experience. Could you give us a message about this?
Hazel English: Yeah I have a vinyl collection that’s quite specific and I enjoy listening to it when I really just want to focus on the music or I am entertaining friends.
Message to Listeners
-Yuuki Takita: What kind of people would you like to listen to “Real Life”? Or in what situations would you like them to listen to it? If there are any points in the lyrics or sound you’d particularly like them to pay attention to, please let us know
Hazel English: I think Real Life could appeal to all different types of people. Listen on a road trip, at home before you’re going to sleep, at sunset, on a morning walk, while cooking, whenever really!
-Yuuki Takita: There are many Japanese music fans who love your music. Finally, could you share a message for your Japanese listeners?
Hazel English: Thank you so much for listening and supporting! I hope to see you all next month on my tour in Japan 🙂 Super excited!
Hazel English Album Release
Album “Real Life”
Release Date: CD: May 21, 2025 / LP: June 18, 2025
Track List:
1. Nine Stories
2. Summer Nights
3. All Dressed Up feat. Day Wave
4. When You’re Around
5. Blue Light
6. Heartbreaker
7. Real Life
8. Jesse feat. Day Wave
9. Goner
10. River Town
11. Hamilton
View on Amazon
Hazel English Profile
Singer/guitarist from Sydney, Australia. She moved her base to the San Francisco Bay Area in California in 2013 and began her musical activities in earnest. Her music is characterized by a fusion of dream pop, jangly folk rock, and indie pop elements. She gained attention through her collaboration with Jackson Phillips of Day Wave, whom she met at a bookstore, and made her debut in 2016 with the EP “Never Going Home.” She built her career by supporting acts like Ride and Field Music, and in 2020 released her first studio album “Wake UP!” with producers Justin Raisen and Ben H. Allen.
Hazel English Live Information
Event Name: Hazel English Japan Tour 2025
Date, Venue, and Support Acts:
June 18 (Wed) Nagoya・Shinsakae Partyʼz w/ Gofish
June 19 (Thu) Kyoto Urbanguild w/ bed
June 20 (Fri) Osaka Pangea w/ 揺らぎ
June 22 (Sun) Tokyo・Ebisu Kata w/ TV not January, Alborg
June 23 (Mon) Tokyo・Shindaita Fever w/ 浮
Doors/Show: 19:00 / 19:30 (※June 22 only: 17:30 doors / 18:00 show)
Tickets:
Advance 7,000 yen・Day of show 8,000 yen (All standing・Drink fee separate)
nothingfeelsreal nothingfeelsreal
eplus eplus
Writer: Yuuki Takita
A freelance writer born in 1991 and from Tomakomai, Hokkaido. After graduating from the same university as TEAM NACS, he enrolled in a music school and majored in the writer course.
There, he produced three music free papers and conducted interviews with artists and editing.
He used his experience to join a cross-music media company that has free papers and web media, where he wrote and edited review articles and experienced sales.
After resigning, he changed jobs to a clerk at a large record shop and also wrote disk review articles for his own media.
That was the trigger for him to start working as a freelance music writer. He is currently a salaryman and music writer who dreams of holding an outdoor music festival in his hometown Tomakomai.
He likes cats, watching movies, and reading books. Nana Komatsu and curry & biryani exploration are his lifestyle.
You can find the articles he has written so far [here].
You can find the articles he has written for other media [here].
Twitter: [@takita_funky]
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.