Alexandra Mier y Teran
Staff Writer
Rising musician Hozier is using his warm, bluesy sound to create a place for himself in the Alternative music scene.
Hozier is a musician and singer-songwriter who is captivating with his sultry voice, deeply emotional lyrics and jazzy, blues take on Alternative music.
Hozier, also known as Andrew Hozier-Byrne, grew up in Ireland where he was influenced musically by his father, a blues musician from Dublin. Being surrounded by blues and having a background in choral music, as a member of Anúna, an Irish choir ensemble, Hozier pursued a degree in music at Trinity College Dublin before dropping out to record demos and work on his first album “Hozier.”
Before releasing his first self-titled album, Hozier released an EP, “From Eden,” and two singles “Angel of Small Death and Codeine Scene” and “Like Real People Do,” which feature songs that are all seen on “Hozier.” The singer has been making headway in the indie rock music scene, playing at festivals like South by Southwest and iTunes Festival London and is starting his own solo, self titled tour, kicking off in Los Angeles on February 6 of 2015.
Hozier’s voice is mesmerizing. With a husky tone and the occasional Irish accent, the warmness of his voice comes off as being very personal. Hozier’s vocalization enables his music to convey a lyrical message much more clearly and passionately than other artists through his enunciation and tonal tenderness.
“Hozier” is comprised of thirteen tracks, ranging from up-tempo rock ballads to slower acoustic tunes, all of which are very different, but all have Hozier’s comforting trademark sound. Songs like “Take Me To Church,” “Sedated”, and “From Eden” all offer examples of Hozier’s emotional lyrics, addressing topics such as love, sexuality, drugs, and abuse in a personal way. The lyrics are poetic, using rhyme and figurative language, but unfortunately, the tune to which Hozier sings them is sometimes overpowering, and the lyrics are lost in the instrumentals.
“Hozier” has a fresh, invigorating sound, incorporating aspects of gospel choir, while still sticking to the classic indie rock tone. Hozier could be compared to bands like “The Head and The Heart,” “Mumford and Sons,” and “Dry the River,” but even they do not display the originality of Hozier’s bluesy sound and strength in lyrics. Hozier’s background in choral music is prevalent, seen through the often used three part split harmonies which are sung by the gospel choir as background vocals.
Adding gospel choir background vocals and string instruments to most of his songs instills a passion and depth to his music through the sound of the loud bass, and moments of strong electric guitar chords, making Hozier’s music more interesting than just lead vocals and acoustic guitar.
Overall, “Hozier” offers a new perspective, blending bluesy, soulful and gospel-like music, introducing a tone which has not been seen recently in the Alternative genre. He creates a refreshing sound with so much sincerity in his lyrics and passion in his own voice.
“Hozier” was released Oct. 7 and can be purchased for $13.99 both digitally and in retail.
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