Wasteland, Baby!
by
Wasteland, Baby! Image
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 97 Ratings

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  • Summary: Te second full-length release for the Irish singer-songwriter features a guest appearance from Mavis Staples.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Feb 28, 2019
    100
    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.
  2. Consequence
    Mar 5, 2019
    83
    Even though Hozier doesn’t bring anything immensely innovative to the album, Wasteland, Baby! is still a delightful experience that radiates with feeling.
  3. AllMusic
    Mar 4, 2019
    70
    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.
  4. Q Magazine
    Feb 28, 2019
    60
    It's when Hozier tries to do throwaway, good-time tracks that the record falters slightly. [Apr 2019, p.119]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Rolling Stone
    Mar 1, 2019
    60
    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.
  6. Uncut
    Feb 28, 2019
    50
    It lacks a distinctive identity. [Apr 2019, p.31]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 28, 2019
    40
    Andrew Hozier-Byrne’s second album Wasteland, Baby! is still stuck mid-sermon, albeit emaciated from surviving solely on stale communion wafers.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. frankiewrites
    Mar 1, 2019
    10
    I absolutely love this album! It has great acoustic riffs in it, it has a gorgeous vocal line and it just blew me away!
  2. artsylove
    Mar 1, 2019
    10
    amazing album i really love it i tried to write another review but i think it got deleted. 10/10 album, it has a great visual and amazing vocal lines
  4. ravenclavved
    Mar 1, 2019
    10
    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
  5. Cheeo
    Mar 8, 2019
    9
    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
  6. NolanLundgaard
    Apr 7, 2021
    8
    Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier: 7.66

    Nina Cried Power: 1 :) Almost (Sweet Music): 1 Movement: 1 :) No Plan: 1 :) Nobody: 1 To Noise    Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier: 7.66

    Nina Cried Power: 1 :)
    Almost (Sweet Music): 1
    Movement: 1 :)
    No Plan: 1 :)
    Nobody: 1
    To Noise Making (Sing): 0.5
    As It Was: 0.5
    Shrike: 0.75
    Talk: 1 :)
    Be: 1 :)
    Dinner & Diatribes: 1 :)
    Would That I: 0.75
    Sunlight: 0.75
    Wasteland, Baby!: 1

    12.25/14 = .875 -> 7.66

    Before a friend recommended Wasteland, Baby! to me, I hadn’t heard of Hozier before. After listening to it though, I can understand why he got as popular as he did after just two releases. I rather enjoyed this album, though it was fairly different from what I was expecting. Lots of acoustic guitar was kinda nice throughout, and I was happy to hear fancy basslines and dirty electric guitar in several tracks. There are a lot of great songs on this album and I am glad I listened to it; it makes me want to listen to Hozier’s first, namesake album. One thing about it that I did notice, however, is that it can feel a little over-long, especially with a few songs at the end. That’s really one of the only problems I had with the work besides a few small issues that vary from song to song. I wish I could give all my notes about each song, but the character limit won't let me. Overall, I thought Hozier’s Wasteland, Baby! was a great album. It was a lot different than what I was expecting, but I was also pleasantly surprised by the country-meets-rock music paired with the quality lyrics. I would definitely recommend this album to fans of both types of music, as Hozier pulls off a hybrid very well. After hearing Wasteland, Baby! in full, I want to go back and listen to Hozier’s debut album, as I have heard that is outstanding as well, and it contains the track that made this singer famous, which I am curious to listen to. This was a great release, and I cannot wait to hear more of Hozier’s stuff! Highlights: Nina Cried Power; Almost; Movement; No Plan; Nobody; Talk; Be; Dinner & Diatribes; and Wasteland, Baby!.    … Expand
  7. Mark1998
    Mar 5, 2019
    8
    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
  8. hzy0421
    May 13, 2019
    3
    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

See all 15 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Discussed Album of 2019
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2019

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