Wasteland, Baby!
by Hozier
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  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.
  5. PopMatters
    Mar 1, 2019
    70
    After a four-year lull, Hozier needed Wasteland, Baby! to recapture the energy created by his previous releases then further light the artist's skill and vision of his craft. Wasteland, Baby! certainly delivers while edifying the artist as an impactful voice in the art and activism sphere.
  6. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 4, 2019
    60
    It’s a lovely sound, but the songwriting veers more towards the serviceable than the inspired.
  7. 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.
  8. 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]
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  9. Uncut
    Feb 28, 2019
    50
    It lacks a distinctive identity. [Apr 2019, p.31]
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  10. Pitchfork
    Mar 6, 2019
    48
    At 14 tracks in roughly an hour, Wasteland, Baby! falls prey to the humdrum, all its power wrung dry.
  11. 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.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Discussed Album of 2019
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 100 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 100
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 100
  3. Negative: 6 out of 100
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  2. ImBathory
    Mar 2, 2019
    6
    After the great EP Nina Cried Power I was kinda expecting more from this new album, it was okay.
  3. 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
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