Lyrically, Hozier aims high, addressing social and emotional issues against a backdrop of political and generational anxiety. He uses bold, mythic imagery with a playful spirit that hints at the dark wit of Leonard Cohen.
Even though Hozier doesn’t bring anything immensely innovative to the album, Wasteland, Baby! is still a delightful experience that radiates with feeling.
There's more than a hint of soul and gospel, tempered with arty arena rock that's drawn equally from U2 and Peter Gabriel--but the overall feeling isn't anguished, it's consoling. It's a subtle but notable shift that lends emotional gravity to a singer/songwriter who already favored weighty topics.
Wasteland, Baby! has enough encouraging displays of maturation to feel like a transitional moment for Hozier. At its best, the album carves out a space for the singer to work out his creative tensions as he finds new ways to make his straight folk influences more accessible without losing anything along the way.
As someone who loved his debut album, this album exceeded and surpassed the debut record in my opinion! This album really does show how boldAs someone who loved his debut album, this album exceeded and surpassed the debut record in my opinion! This album really does show how bold and confident and experimental he's gotten, without taking away the "hozier" feel and lyrical depth. Loved the use of the organ and choir sounds.. a really beautiful and emotional album.…Expand
Hozier, well known for deep, soulful music, brings it back with Wasteland, Baby! Most loving and lovely songs produced in this decade. CriticsHozier, well known for deep, soulful music, brings it back with Wasteland, Baby! Most loving and lovely songs produced in this decade. Critics are cowards for not recognizing the soft and sweet beauty of being consumed by the earth with your darling.…Expand
Unlike with the first album, where I immediately loved every song on it and the special edition, there's one song that I skip on 'WastelandUnlike with the first album, where I immediately loved every song on it and the special edition, there's one song that I skip on 'Wasteland Baby!' Though, my favourite songs on this album I think are stronger than those I love on the original. It's so refreshing to hear something like this album especially when some music today seem to mimic each other, with albums usually consisting of bland filler and one or two hit singles. I really appreciate this album.…Expand
An atmospheric and cohesive album, Hozier delivers a strong second album (just his second record) were the simpler acoustic songs (As It Was,An atmospheric and cohesive album, Hozier delivers a strong second album (just his second record) were the simpler acoustic songs (As It Was, Talk, Be) matter the same as the stronger pieces (Nina Cried Powe, To noise Making, Dinner & Diatribes, Sunlight). Although the album could have been shorten a bit by taking off one or two tracks, the album is well-balanced and delivers more than enough, by mentioning subjects such as politics, love, happiness, and the legacy of music.…Expand
The follow up to Hozier's superb debut Self-Titled album. Wasteland, Baby, just doesn't hit the same high's that his debut hit and as a resultThe follow up to Hozier's superb debut Self-Titled album. Wasteland, Baby, just doesn't hit the same high's that his debut hit and as a result doesn't have the same memorability or give me the same desire to listen to it when I can just go back to his debut and enjoy everything there instead.
That's not to say this album doesn't have high's because it 100% does.
Especially Nina Cried Power a track released in his same-named EP earlier in 2018.
Almost (Sweet Music) is another track that helped open the album strongly and had me eager to hear the remainder of the album.
Be, a very very good song that is very political (to say the least) and one of the most memorable songs on the entire LP undoubtedly.
Coming towards the end of the album I was quite worried that I was going to be incredibly disappointed as I had been with the middle of the album. Hozier, fortunately, delivers quite a strong finish to the album, aside from the closer. The final single Dinner & Diatribes, Would That I and Sunlight all feature strong vocal performances and good instrumentation and production that seem to carry the album to a strong close. Yet like many of the other tracks on here Wasteland, Baby doesn't do anything different from what I've heard from Hozier before.
Personally, I would've like to see NFWMB & Moment's Silence on here over some of the other songs that don't push the boat out or do anything that fans of Hozier haven't seen before. This album as a debut could be regarded to be quite good, however when compared to his debut it undoubtedly will live in its shadow, and understandably so.
Best Tracks: Nina Cried Power, Be, Sunlight…Expand
Not a single track outperforms Shrike before well, Shrike, which has already appeared in the previous EP released last year. The album is atNot a single track outperforms Shrike before well, Shrike, which has already appeared in the previous EP released last year. The album is at its best when it comes to the stripped-back, guitar-driven songs, and worst with the awkward soulful choirs packed with some really tiring overproduction.…Expand
