New York rock outfit Hazel Gaze bring a distinctly live-driven character to Strung Out: Live & Unplugged at the Brooklyn Conservatory, a recorded performance that reimagines the spirit of the classic unplugged sessions of the 1990s and 2000s. Bringing together musicians with backgrounds spanning touring, recording, Broadway, classical training and New York’s live circuit, the project places musicianship and arrangement at its core.
Recorded at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music by Grammy-nominated engineer Daniel Alba, the performance strips Hazel Gaze’s rock sound back while introducing an expansive string arrangement. The combination retains the grit and immediacy of rock ’n’ roll, but creates additional space for the band’s songwriting to breathe, revealing a more textured and orchestral side to their sound.
Lead single ‘Do As You Please’ captures that balance particularly well. Framed by the band as “Sophisticated Spite”, the track channels classic rock energy into a sharp, characterful song about independence and moving on. The live setting adds further weight, with the string section, backing vocals and rhythm section working together to create a fuller sense of movement and dynamics.
The accompanying visual reinforces the project’s strongest quality: its sense of genuine performance. A raspy lead vocal sits at the centre of tightly arranged instrumentation and harmonies, while the chemistry between the musicians remains evident throughout. Rather than simply reproducing a studio recording, Hazel Gaze use the live format to expand the songs and showcase the depth of their collective musicianship.
With Strung Out: Live & Unplugged at the Brooklyn Conservatory, Hazel Gaze draw on a familiar musical format without becoming defined by nostalgia. The project demonstrates how a stripped-back setting can open new possibilities within rock songwriting, bringing together raw performance energy, orchestral detail and the collaborative spirit of a seasoned live band.
