Lust, growing and moving on

Everyone always tells you that traveling is good for the soul, and it seems that Blake Hazard took that knowledge and ran with it. Her recent move from her home base of Los Angels, California to Istanbul, Turkey for a year allowed her to grow in ways some can only dream of.  Best known for her work as singer in the indie rock band The Submarines, Hazard has had her fair share of touring, live performances and group projects — but solo-artistry is something that feels kosher to the New York-born singer.

Eleanor Blake Hazard made her solo debut with The Eleanor Islands in July of 2013. Based off her split from bandmate and husband John Dragonetti, Hazard focused her debut on life, love, the art of separation and moving on. Possibilities at Sea takes a turn into uncharted territory for Hazard to broaden her horizons.

The 11-track album opens with a song called, “How to Love Halfway,” which sets the mood for a friendly and confining conversation. The song is upbeat, with a melody that makes you want sway back and forth and reminds you that love isn’t easy. It can be quick, astounding, mysterious and frustrating all in one. “Before the Ice” sounds like a jazz club classic turned into a how-to guide for the modern breakup. “Lonliness Collective” reminds you that love is the worst/ best thing to happen to human society, with a beautiful chorus of voices matched with soft drums, guitar and a familiar rift to help ease whatever pain you might be feeling.

The 40-minute ride through the inner workings of Hazard’s mind is filled with soothing guitar, heart-wrenching piano and a bit of trumpet, all wrapped up like an early birthday present. Hazard uses her unique skill of feeling like a friend to walk her listeners through their problems. She uses her experiences of heart break and travel to remind you that everything is going to be all right. As Hazard states on her recent Facebook post promoting the album, “It’s meant to be like a good friend or a lover who makes you feel better for the time you spend together. It’s love stories and lost stories and happy times all mixed in.”