Girl at the Rock Shows

Today is one of those days when I feel like I have writer’s block. I really don’t because every piece of new music I consume, I’m flooded with things to say, but when it comes to my quirky intros and insight into my life, I just have nothing for you. Maybe it’s because today is just another Tuesday and there’s nothing super exciting happening in my life right now, maybe it’s writer’s block, maybe it’s something else. Regardless, I got nothing for you right now other than saying that you really need to check out ‘Queen of the Airwaves’ from Hailey Ezzell.

This quick, eight-song album kicks off with the title track “Queen of the Airwaves.” This opening track has it all. It has drama, it has depth, it was passion, fire, heart, and talent drenching every single second of this song. The overall vibe of this track has a dramatic, almost Queen-like song structure, made complete by a prominent piano part that remains prominent throughout. The vocals are smooth and soft. I want to say they are basic, but I know that sounds so bad. I don’t mean it in a bad way, but more than Hailey’s voice feels familiar and cozy in all of the right ways. It’s just one of the many things (including a ripping guitar solo) that definitely lay the land out for what’s to come on this album.

“Next Time” has the same sense of rockin’ drama behind it that the opening tracks have, but it takes a more angsty tone. This song feels straight out of the ’80s hair metal genre, minus the metal. It just has the perfect amount of edge to give you a little insight into Hailey’s more foreboding side, while her vocals keep that sweet, familiar mood I mentioned. Again, the guitar solo in this song is an ear-opener, but the way Hailey commands it, even over the strength of that solo and the rest of the powerful instrumentation, is what had me sold on this track.

To go from the power of “Next Time” to the ballad-like beauty of “Wanting You (Acoustic)” is insane and quite shocking, but I feel like the transition just goes to show what I was saying about the power of Hailey’s voice. For this third song, as you would expect based on the title, all of the instrumentation falls out of the track, giving way to just Hailey’s voice and a strong piano. I say “strong piano” for a reason. It’s not soft, as you might expect from a ballad. It’s hammered into this song like the hardest blastbeat you’ve ever heard from a grindcore band, yet Hailey’s voice continues to reign supreme without any strain. Really, I can’t overstate the power or beauty of Hailey’s voice, and “Wanting You (Acoustic)” is a perfect example of that.

This entire album feels a bit like a dramatic rock-opera version of a fairytale, and “How the Story Goes” fits that so perfectly. It’s back to that slight 80s hair-metal vibe, with more of the drama that came with “Queen of the Airwaves” in this fourth song. Lyrically, this song tells the story of a life. I don’t know that I would call it a fairytale life. Like Hailey’s voice, it’s a bit “regular” and something we can all relate to, but it also has a triumphant energy that I think we could all use a little more of in our lives. It’s a story of defiance that we have all lived through at one point or another, and I only wish that during those hard break-ups or those moments when I had to walk away from something important, I had this song to blast in my car on the way home, because it is just so perfect and radiates positivity.

It’s back to soft and sweet with “Love You Tonight.” This song is the kind of song that will get your heart stuck in your throat without warning. It’s a slow, slightly somber song, but it brings a feeling of cozy love to the forefront of this album and, again, is one of those songs with minimal instrumentation that really allows Hailey’s voice to shine. It’s not just her voice; it’s the emotions that go with it. Every word that she sings in this song is paired with a feeling of the heart that makes you fall for and feel every word deep in your gut. Although I’m not typically one for slow, chill songs, if it’s a song like this by Hailey Ezzell, I’m into it.

To say that ‘Queen of the Airwaves’ is a rollercoaster ride of an album would be an understatement. I was all lost in my feelings by the end of “Love You Tonight,” but Hailey shot me back to an energized state with “Keep Coming Back.” This is another super-solid song with a driving drumbeat that makes the nearly three minutes it lasts feel like it’s over in the blink of an eye. I don’t have much background on the band that joined Hailey for this album, but I feel like this song shows just how well they cater to Hailey’s voice and style. All the instruments know when to come in and take over while also knowing when to let Hailey lead, creating a superb balance throughout this song, with “Keep Coming Back” being a great example.

“Wanting You (Full Band)” seems to take on all of the elements heard in the previous six songs and wrap them up with one giant shiny bow. This song has heartbreak. It was tenderness and beauty, but it also had angst and grit. Hailey’s voice feels a bit deeper and darker in this song than in the previous ones, but the feeling is the same, and it’s still easy to hear that silky smooth tone of hers beneath the subtle darkness. This song isn’t fast, it isn’t slow. It’s not a ballad, but it’s also not an anthemic pump-up jam. Again, it’s right there in the middle of all the worlds Hailey Ezzell explores throughout this album, making it the perfect mix of everything Hailey.

‘Queen of the Airwaves’ ends with “Beloved (Song for You).” It’s a truly stunning ending to a dazzling album. It strips things back to the more music theatre-influenced sound that I felt kicked the album off. It has drama and definitely leaves you wanting more from this super-talented young woman, but at the same time, it caps this album off with an exclamation point and a dynamic one at that.

TL;Dr – I can already tell you that this album isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s not rock enough for the rock n’ rollers, not soft enough for those sappy love song lovers. Hailey Ezzell has situated herself somewhere between those two worlds, and it’s perfect. Even if you don’t think this is the album for you, I urge you to listen to the talent and the beauty that is in each one of these eight tracks. ‘Queen of the Airwaves’ is Hailey’s first full-length album, and I truly hope that it’s not the last.

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