Hozier - Hozier

Hozier
Hozier
Columbia (2014)
By Ksenia Gorinshteyn

Although Hozier is not new to the music industry and writing his own lyrics, his new self-titled album changes the typical sound of blues, giving it an acoustic, lullabye tone. His careful choice of words and their blend with the music make listening to the album feel like an intimate trip into his mind. Hozier takes sensitive subjects, such as domestic abuse and homophobia, and crafts them into song, sort of masking the seriousness, yet still addressing it with powerful language.

With lyrics like “Never feel too good in crowds / With folks around, when they're playing / The anthems of rape culture loud / Crude and proud creatures baying,” Hozier tries to get his point across through situations that mirror societal attitudes on debatable topics. The simplicity of each track balances out the heaviness of the subject in the song. He also writes about being with a loved one and enjoying his/her company. In his song “Jackie and Wilson,” sung to a full band, he writes “She's gonna save me / Call me ‘baby’ / Run her hands through my hair / She'll know me crazy / Soothe me daily.”

Every song on the album features only his voice and his guitar work, with the occasional piano player or cymbal in the background. While some of the album has a somber sound, Hozier shows his happy-go-lucky side with songs like “From Eden” and “Someone New;” creating a livelier mood.

“Hozier” is available on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.