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HAYLEY J. HANSELL: You Are Not Who You Know

At 10 tracks this debut EP feels like an album. Book ended by two versions of the title track (one featuring Coco Solid, the other instrumental), ‘You Are Not Who You Know’ is a careful collision of beats and vocals. Hansell’s vocals are given a chance to shine on the acapella Side by Side which well and truly proves her abilities, and the most successful tracks are those that aren’t expected. Space and Time works well with the lounge vibe, though the drumbeat threatens to overpower. City Lights (with lyrics by Strawpeople) is a standout, all trip-hop beats and scattered vocals that should be a commercial success. In contrast, some of the remaining material sounds a little flat with a reliance on (over) filling the aural space. Produced, mixed and mastered by Luke Berryman at Big Pop Studios (he also provides some of the beats), with more beats and remix work by Illegalvoice and Usef Dinero, this is a solid starting point for an obviously talented musician.

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