The sudden release of Angel Haze’s debut album Dirty Gold echoes the lyrical content of the album’s lead single, “Echelon (It’s My Way).” Haze, weary over her label’s upper echelons and their refusal to release the album before the end of 2013 — decided to do things her way and leak her album. Hyped as one of the most adept aspiring MCs of the decade, Haze’s rap-pop debut effort falls a little short of expectations. That’s not to say it’s not a good album — it is. The album flows like a diary; its songs reflect Haze’s difficult past, while painting a picture of the resilient woman that she has become today. Standouts include the sassy, good-humoured lead single, “Deep Sea Diver,” “Angels & Airwaves,” and “Battle Cry,” a ballad featuring Sia. While Dirty Gold might not be Haze’s best best effort, it will undoubtedly lead her to lucrative mainstream success.
