Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Hozier
Label: Island Records
Released: 2014
Running time: 53:26
Rating: 3.5/5
»Hozier« is the debut studio album from gifted Irish musician/songwriter Andrew Hozier-Byrne, better known simply as ‘Hozier’. He first turned heads in 2013 with the EP »Take Me To Church«, followed in 2014 by another EP, »From Eden«. The young singer and guitarist, who swears by blues and soul with the occasional indie-rock ‘pit stop’ (and plenty of acoustic guitar along the way), went solo in 2012 after a short stint with the Irish vocal group Anuna. Hozier was lucky enough to sign with the famous Island label, which wasted no time cashing in on his undeniable musical and songwriting talent. His first EP, »Take Me To Church«, was a huge hit back home in Ireland, climbing to number one on the charts there, while »From Eden« did nicely too. After hearing Hozier’s debut album, you can say it was thoroughly deserved.
»Hozier« features a handful of tracks that already appeared on both of those EPs, led by the soul showstopper »Take Me To Church« right at the start. Hozier’s lyrics are mostly more or less plaintive confessions of love, which he delivers with his sensual voice, packed with fine shades of blues and soul, so he never sounds annoying or whiny, the way modern indie musicians so often do. On tracks like »Angel Of Small Death & Codeine Scene« you can hear that Hozier doesn’t carry the ‘traumas’ that plague so many of his indie-rock cousins, who far too often seem to suffer from chronic anemia and a lack of soul. The album is varied enough in structure and atmosphere that, despite relatively simple arrangements and basic melodies, it doesn’t get boring too quickly.
A great example of that eclecticism is »Jackie And Wilson«, where superb gospel-based vocal harmonies reign, which will go down well with all the incurable romantics out there, while Hozier’s vocal versatility is really his main ‘weapon’ for building intense moods. Occasional string arrangements on certain tracks bring in some folk-based ambient touches too, adding extra color to the generally positive spirit of most of the album. Here and there you can’t miss that typical Irish melancholy, so characteristic of most music from the Celtic nations, which applies especially to the ballad »In a Week«, where guest singer Karen Cowley joins Hozier’s lead vocal with real passion and, in doing so, creates a wonderful contrast.
Hozier’s debut will delight anyone who loves modern soul and blues with an indie-rock stamp and a taste for heartfelt, emotionally expressive vocals. There’s hardly any doubt that this is a very promising musician and songwriter who knows what he wants from his career and who will keep making a name for himself with future work, even if the style he cultivates doesn’t leave much room for artistic ‘stretch’.
Lineup
Andrew Hozier-Byrne – vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer
Rory Doyle – drums and percussion
Fiachra Kinder – drums and percussion (tracks 1, 2 and 10)
Andre Antunes – drums and percussion (tracks 6 and 9)
Alex Ryan – bass guitar (except on track 2), piano
Kate Ellis – cello
Matt Rafter – cello (6)
Ken Rice – violin, viola
Rob Kirwan – percussion (8)
Karen Cowley – vocals on “In A Week”
Production
Andrew Hozier-Byrne and Rob Kirwan
Tracklist
1. Take Me To Church
2. Angel Of Small Death & The Codeine Scene
3. Jackie And Wilson
4. Someone New
5. To Be Alone
6. From Eden
7. In A Week
8. Sedated
9. Work Song
10. Like Real People Do
11. It Will Come Back
12. Foreigners God
13. Cherry Wine (live)
