With his first single gaining momentum on the top charts, Hozier released his debut studio album October 7.
While the name may point to a band, Andrew Hozier-Byrne acts all on his own. The Irish musician released two EP’s previous to the studio album, one in 2013 and another earlier this year. What set the artist’s popularity off was the release of the video for his first single “Take Me to Church.” The music video for this powerful song shows a relationship between two men that takes a turn as the couple faces the consequences of a masked anti-gay group. When asked about the video in interviews, Hozier said the video is a statement against the anti-LGBT laws and oppression in Russia. The single has favored well in the U.S., topping numerous Billboard charts, such as Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs. After his Saturday Night Live debut this past weekend, he is sure to have gained even more fans with his album predicted to land in the top 10. Already awarded with a No. 1 album in his home country of Ireland, Hozier has become a worldwide sensation.
“Take Me to Church” launches the album and immediately draws the listener in with church acting as a metaphor. Hozier sings, “The only heaven I’ll be sent to/Is when I’m alone with you.” While the video depicts a relationship between two men, the song uses female pronouns.
The second song on the album was debuted on Saturday Night Live alongside “Take Me to Church.” “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene” is a more upbeat and less heavy song than the previous. The next song, “Jackie and Wilson,” continues with the same attitude. While the songs are more upbeat, their meaning isn’t lost. The artist sings, “I need to be youthfully felt ‘cause, God, I never felt young” about raising children on rhythm and blues.
The album reverts back to its original feel of seriousness with “To Be Alone.” A few songs later comes “In a Week,” the only song that features someone other than the artist. The duet is haunting and deeply moving with the two vocalists acting as a deceased couple, repetitively singing “I’ll be home with you.”
Another notable song comes later, called “Work Song,” which provides a feel similar to the first. Hozier sings, “I’m so full of love I could barely eat/There’s nothing sweeter than my baby” in this romantic ballad. The album nears its end with “It Will Come Back,” a hypnotic -and possibly the most blues-inspired – song on the album. A live acoustic version of “Cherry Wine” is the last song on the album, showing off the artist’s talent with simply a guitar.
The album revolves mostly around women, but the context of each song is different and meaningful in its own unique way. Hozier is a real gift to the music industry. His lyrics are insightful and easily relatable. In times of happiness or incredible sadness, every song provides an aspect of a relationship. While the album can be a little morbid at times, it doesn’t offset the natural flow from one song to the next. This album is comprised of 13 songs filled with raw emotion that encapsulate some of the best, extremely personal songwriting produced this year.
4/5