Hozier
by Hozier
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Oct 7, 2014
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
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  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Oct 7, 2014
    100
    Gospel choirs hum and swell tenderly beneath the rougher edges of his riffs. They add mature, universal gravitas and often a holy ecstacy to an intense, youthful lyrical tangling of religion and romantic obsession that regularly finds him poised "between love and abuse".
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 9, 2014
    91
    He's more than capable of drifting smoothly between bluesy soul, juke-joint R&B, and drinking-song folk on his hearty debut. [6 Oct 2014, p.62]
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  3. Exclaim
    Oct 7, 2014
    90
    The understated maturity of the 24-year-old Hozier on his debut album is a beacon for young writers learning to craft significant compositions.
  5. PopMatters
    Feb 4, 2015
    80
    This is a brave, weighty and heartfelt debut from a hefty new songwriter. Hozier has arrived.
  6. NOW Magazine
    Oct 7, 2014
    80
    The more steeped Hozier gets in Southern influence the better: slow, hymnal Work Song disguises a love ballad as a spiritual to blissful effect, a perfect showcase for his rich, resonant alto.
  7. Clash Music
    Oct 7, 2014
    80
    Hozier is an authentic portrait of an artist--soulful, spiritual and seductive – and is a deeply impressive first step.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Oct 7, 2014
    75
    Hozier is far more nuanced than these inspirations imply, mainly because of its skillful, smart exploration of dualities.
  9. 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.
  10. AllMusic
    Oct 7, 2014
    70
    In spite of its extra padding and occasional foibles, it's a strong debut and Hozier is far more commanding and convincing than so many other blues-inspired young turks lurking conspicuously in the alleyways of indiedom.
  11. 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]
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Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Shared Album of 2014

User Reviews

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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
  1. 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    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".    … Full Review »
  2. 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 andA 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.… Full Review »
  3. 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 andHozier 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.… Full Review »
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