“hazy” by Hamilton, Canada-based producer and multi-instrumentalist [zoethecat] is a laid-back, chillhop-inspired track based around an electric piano sample and a vibey vocal chop. Intended to evoke images of a low-key, hazy morning in a big city, it’s a perfect backdrop for chilling, studying, or just relaxing.

I had a really boring office job in downtown Toronto in the early 2000s. I quit that job in 2003 to focus on music full-time. But I still remember getting up extra early so I could walk to work in the morning, before the crowds took over the city. It was easily the best part of my day. That relaxed, big city-slowly-waking-up vibe was the main inspiration for “hazy”. The track started with a 2-bar electric piano sample on loop. I kept adding layers until it was complex enough to be interesting, yet still simple enough to hear everything. I’m more used to linear production techniques, so working with loops is fun and still feels fresh and new for me. –Michael Chambers (aka [zoethecat])

Available on: