Hozier
by Hozier
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Oct 7, 2014
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 138 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 126 out of 138
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 138
  3. Negative: 6 out of 138
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  1. Ricko
    Jul 31, 2015
    8
    Hozier has enjoyed an incredible level of success in a relatively short time on the scene. Less than 2 years after releasing his first EP and within months of releasing his debut album, Hozier is now a household name across the planet. There is no doubting the man is talented but so are many other artists who work and tour endlessly in the hope of getting their music heard, all to noHozier has enjoyed an incredible level of success in a relatively short time on the scene. Less than 2 years after releasing his first EP and within months of releasing his debut album, Hozier is now a household name across the planet. There is no doubting the man is talented but so are many other artists who work and tour endlessly in the hope of getting their music heard, all to no avail. What sets Hozier apart from all the rest? To me it is down to him making the right video for the right song at exactly the right time. Whether it was on purpose or pure luck, Hozier's song "Take Me To Church" and more importantly the video that went with it. At a time when gay rights is not only an important and topical issue but also a huge populist issue (as seen in the build up to and results of the May 2015 marriage referendum in Ireland), the video to "Take Me To Church" fed into the Zeitgeist. Good luck to Hozier with it - its a great song and deserves to be heard. The annals are full of one hit wonders but Hozier has successfully followed up his breakthrough hit with a string of others. While nothing on the eponymous "Hozier" comes close to the 9 out of 10 "Take Me To Church", it is an album that deserves a pat on the back for its consistency. Every 2 or 3 years, an artist breaks through with an album seemingly loaded with hit singles and proceeds to take over the global airwaves. As it is, "Hozier" already sounds like a greatest hits compilation. You can see why the record has been such a commercial success - the music is catchy, current and has more or less a universal appeal. That said, it will be interesting to listening back in a couple of years and see just how well it lasts - I feel Hozier lacks the depth of the truly great solo artists and his worth will only really be seen across his next few albums.… Expand
  2. LittleMatthew
    Jul 13, 2015
    10
    In a soulful and consistent record, Hozier sings with a certain melancholic tone that in conjunction with the choir and string arrangements make this album an anthem for those who love, suffer and enjoy blues, rock and folk music.
  3. agibbons_96
    Jun 15, 2015
    9
    On his debut, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier draws on his influences of blues, soul and folk and twists them into his own image.

    Gothic-esque undertones are present throughout the album, particularly on tracks such as "Take Me to Church" and "From Eden". Hozier's lyrical skill is evident on "In a Week", which features Karen Cowley on vocals. The song is set in the Wicklow Mountains,    On his debut, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier draws on his influences of blues, soul and folk and twists them into his own image.

    Gothic-esque undertones are present throughout the album, particularly on tracks such as "Take Me to Church" and "From Eden". Hozier's lyrical skill is evident on "In a Week", which features Karen Cowley on vocals. The song is set in the Wicklow Mountains, commonly associated with death and murder in Ireland. The vocal interplay between Hozier and Cowley is hauntingly beautiful.

    "Someone New" adds a mainstream feel to the record whilst still rooted in the blues style. Songs such as "To Be Alone" and "Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene" draw on the garage-blues evident in the work of The Black Keys and Jack White's solo material.

    The album though, does not come without a couple of weaker tracks, in particular on "Sedated", which on most albums, would be considered to be an album highlight, but the quality of the album as a whole makes the song seem slightly redundant among the rest of the record.

    The album's final track, "Cherry Wine" is a fantastic album closer, and adds a brilliant balance to the moodier tracks on the second half of the record, especially "Work Song" and "It Will Come Back", the latter, arguably, the strongest track on the entire LP.

    As a whole, Hozier has a great deal to offer, and the fact the album is not (strictly speaking) a mainstream blues record only adds to its appeal. It is not a perfect record by any means, but very few are, especially in modern mainstream music. However, there is enough on this record to suggest that Hozier will be at the forefront of mainstream music for many years to come.

    Album Highlights - "Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene", "Someone New", "To Be Alone", "From Eden" and "It Will Come Back".    … Expand
  4. A2Townie
    Oct 8, 2014
    10
    A tremendous achievement. Hozier deftly draws from blues, folk and soul to create an album that is mesmerizing, deeply satisfying and completely unique. Recorded almost entirely in the quiet space of his attic in Wicklow, the album has the feel of the listener being invited in to witness and experience a young man's coming of age. Each track demonstrates an emotional maturity in theA tremendous achievement. Hozier deftly draws from blues, folk and soul to create an album that is mesmerizing, deeply satisfying and completely unique. Recorded almost entirely in the quiet space of his attic in Wicklow, the album has the feel of the listener being invited in to witness and experience a young man's coming of age. Each track demonstrates an emotional maturity in the arrangement, vocals and lyrics that is very rarely seen in a debut album. Timeless and hauntingly beautiful, this is a once in a generation album.… Expand
  5. thaleslucas
    Oct 30, 2014
    10
    This is one of the most wonderful album that I ever hear in my life!!

    Hozier knows how to express his feelings, using words so deep and stronger. The Blues, Folk and Soul that he puts on this album is a kind of love and hurt. I'm really impressed.

    Best songs: "Take Me To Church", "To Be Alone", "Like Real People Do" and "My Love Will Never Die".
  6. Radiosight
    Oct 12, 2014
    8
    Though it may not be entirely flawless, Hozier has created what is arguably one of the greatest debut albums in years; a beautiful collection of songs carried by his remarkable lyrical skill and powerful, driving vocals.
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 10, 2021
    6
    Originally heard in my younger days. Before the critical sphere of metacritic &pitchfork could spoil me. The days of chance music discovery.

    Hearing hozier for the first time made me pause. It had been a slow Sunday and i was watching Lifetime before having to go sleep but it distilled that normalcy. The unsettling choral opener came on with a smokey despair:i was drawn. From then on    Originally heard in my younger days. Before the critical sphere of metacritic &pitchfork could spoil me. The days of chance music discovery.

    Hearing hozier for the first time made me pause. It had been a slow Sunday and i was watching Lifetime before having to go sleep but it distilled that normalcy. The unsettling choral opener came on with a smokey despair:i was drawn.
    From then on it came easily. Each song whole in it's own way. The devotion of "work song" drove me to satified tears as i danced stupidly whilst the sombre "in a week" chilled my 14yr old mind. So much thought is invested in a hozier song,playing off like small novels. It's on the blues rock of "jackie&wilson" where Hozier allows himself some lightheatrd fun speckled with references. Never waning to the pitfalls of debuts which include monotony and inconsistency, no. Here he's erupting fully formed.

    It's his darker songs that pack the hardest punch such as the deceptive "cherry wine" that threatens to make abuse sound sweet or "sedated" helplessness. Keeping his prose&rhythm sharp throughout i remained impressed.

    Admittedly the album would've benefited from shortening such as "Angel of death &codeine scens"&"to be alone" which despite being good slow down the album.

    In conclusion hozier overlooked debut holds promise beyond his "take me to church " acclaim. That great storytellers much like stories can come out of no where.    … Expand
  8. Sani
    Jan 4, 2016
    10
    I cannot fault this album. It reaches the darkness inside of you and embraces it. Hozier's voice is powerful and soulful. The lyrics are meaningful, strong and on point. He finds ways to describe the way you feel exactly how you feel it. Wonderfully mature and haunting at times. I can't wait for another album.
  9. amertume
    Aug 19, 2023
    10
    Maybe the best debut album I have ever heard. It grabs you immediately and holds on to you as you travel through the mystical places of Hozier's imagination. Soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel build up on amazing instrumentals and the magic of a unique voice.
  10. ThatOneGuy__13
    Apr 9, 2021
    8
    I personally enjoy this album. beautiful melodies, and brilliant songwriting. Now despite this, I do think that there are some misses on this album, and there are some songs that I personally feel don’t need to be there; but still a very well done album.
  11. Peyton2022
    Mar 26, 2022
    10
    Awesome music and lyrics, good rhyme and videos for this awesome album, better than his second album

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Shared Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. PopMatters
    Feb 4, 2015
    80
    This is a brave, weighty and heartfelt debut from a hefty new songwriter. Hozier has arrived.
    Read full review
  2. Rolling Stone
    Oct 21, 2014
    70
    His YouTube hit "Take Me to Church" won him a wave of insta-hype, and his debut LP earns it.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    Oct 10, 2014
    60
    It's by no means a classic but there's enough personality to suggest Hozier will be with us for the long haul. [Oct 2014, p.110]
See all critic reviews »