You’ve heard it before but Andrew Hozier-Byrne, better known as Hozier, is more than just the compulsory indie rock artist that somehow made to Top 40 radio. His debut single ‘Take Me To Church‘ took the world by storm last year, but the Irish singer-songwriter has clearly established himself more than just a one-hit wonder with his 2014 self-titled debut album. The British singer-songwriter delivers a solid, indie-rock and blues record with lyrics that are able to capture the true essence and reality of new found love to heartbreak.
Although tissues may be required for some tracks, the casual, mellow and calming instrumentals with have you drifting away into the musical depths of the album. Hozier’s raw vocals are not only captivating, but his voice has the ability to make you feel every emotion he feels in every track, creating that desired connection between artist and listener. A slow album is not something that easily entices my musical palette, but Hozier is by far an exception.
There is no boring track Hozier presents; it allows the listener to feel the real emotion behind every song and every lyric. The best music always comes from the heart, and to every listener it is clear that Hozier has put his heart and soul into creating a deeply personal album. Tracks such as ‘Like Real People Do’ and ‘Foreigner’s God’ both deliever a rollercoaster of emotion from love to loss.
‘Angels of Small Death & The Codeine Scene’ is a personal favourite as it is the perfect mix of blues and indie-rock, proving that among the heartfelt and slow paced songs, Hozier is able to hit it with hard hitting guitar riffs and strong percussion that drives the strong blues influences of the track.
‘In The Woods Somewhere’ is a haunting track that paired with dark instrumentals, that is both extremely eerie yet attractive. The track is clear example that it is not just Hozier’s lyrics that create meaning for every song; every aspect of musical production is used to create a personality and an emotion for every song to compile into an album that is not only just a collection of songs, but is able to tell a story in it’s own right.
Hozier is a showcase of a new and rare talent. ‘Take Me To Church’ is a small reflection of the capabilities Hozier is able to present, but the album is more than just a filler for a few stand out singles – it’s a personal compilation of an emotional and personal journey.
Review Score: 9.4 out of 10
Hozier is out now.
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