My Top 100 Albums: #72 - Hozier, ‘Hozier’
72.
Hozier, ‘Hozier’
Island/Rubyworks, 2014
When Andrew Hozier-Byrne burst onto the music scene in 2013 with the indie-rock banger Take Me To Church, it was in an explosive surge that most performers can only dream of from their debut single. The track soon topped the charts in twelve countries, was nominated for Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards and has since been certified six-times platinum in the US. Any fears of one-hit-wonderdom were allayed in September of the following year with the release of Hozier’s eponymous debut album. Equal parts meticulous, sensitive and passionate, Hozier demonstrates that its creator can handle delicate, introspective and socially-conscious acoustic folk with as much proficiency as he can expansive, dynamic and rhythmically-compelling blues rock, and everything in-between. Hozier’s attention to detail in both his composition and his lyric-writing is inspiring. He cites among his influences such diverse figures as Nina Simone, Woody Guthrie and Ali Farka Touré, as well as poet Seamus Heaney and author Christopher Hitchens, and his inspirations profoundly influence him as a songwriter. His lyrics are gorgeous and precisely crafted, deconstructing subjects such as fundamentalism, intolerance, addictive love, drug dependency and domestic violence with an idiomatic, potent cynicism. The music that he accompanies them with is generally either bold and brash or soft and sweet, much like Nina Simone’s: a palatable mask to hide much less digestible topics.
A well-crafted album often reveals itself in layers, and that is certainly true of this record. For first-time listeners, Hozier draws you in with his irresistible voice and meaty guitar rhythms. On repeat listens, you discover the dry wit and poetry within his lyrics and the dexterity of his arrangement. What it all adds up to is a powerful record that takes decades-old styles and concepts and recontextualises them effectively within the milieu of contemporary indie rock. A refreshing, stimulating listen.
Hidden Highlight: Angel of Small Death & the Codeine Scene
Take Me To Church
Angel of Small Death & The Codeine Scene
Jackie and Wilson
Someone New
To Be Alone
From Eden
In a Week
Sedated
Work Song
Like Real People Do
It Will Come Back
Foreigner’s God
Cherry Wine