By Gracie Stengel, Public Relations Associate
Photo: Ruth Medjber
Andrew Hozier-Byrne, known on stage as Hozier, is an Irish singer-songwriter. His music is defined by its folk, blues and gospel style. He is a literary lyricist and writes songs about the deepest parts of life and love. With his unforgettable vocals and amazing presence as a musician, he has become a huge success.
His career began in 2013 when he released his first EP titled “Take Me to Church.” The title track, “Take Me to Church” ,was a global success. The song contains religious themes including lyrics about worshipping his lover and insisting they are the only heaven he will have. While this song can take on many meanings, Hozier has said in interviews that he wrote it to condemn the church for anti-homosexuality values and prejudice, specifically in Russia. He wanted to encourage people to reclaim humanity and worship through acts of love. In addition, he released a black-and-white music video for the song depicting a gay couple being chased and beaten by a group of hooded men to show the violence that comes from anti-gay messages.
In 2014, the singer released his first album “Hozier.” This album explored his stylistic versatility with blues-rock songs like “Jackie and Wilson,” a taste of soul with “Someone New” and his signature folk gospel with “Work Song.”
Hozier’s songs are packed with literary meaning and figurative language combined with his multi-instrumental talents. The singer’s Irish roots can be heard and felt throughout his discography.
His song, “Like Real People Do,” from his self-titled album, uses the metaphor of uncovering a ‘bog body,’ which is a human body that has been mummified by the natural chemical conditions in peat bogs found in many Northern European countries, to represent finding love in someone new. He sings from the perspective of the exhumed being happy someone found them, and being ready to let go of their past. They want to accept their flaws together and just love the way ‘real’ people do. The lyrics say, “So I will not ask you where you came from / I would not ask and neither would you / Honey, just put your sweet lips on my lips / We should just kiss like real people do.”
In 2019, Hozier released his second album “Wasteland, Baby!” This album continued his exploration of genre and told the story of how people can find joy while simultaneously feeling the shadows hanging overhead. Some of his popular songs from this album are “Almost (Sweet Music)” and “Would That I.”
Hozier’s most recent album, “Unreal Unearth: Unending,” has been released as a super deluxe version of the album. This album draws inspiration from Dante’s “Inferno” and the journey through the Nine Circles of Hell with songs about affection, heartbreak, darkness, and light. “Too Sweet,” was hands down the most popular song from the album, getting Hozier his first UK No.1.
Hozier’s music is the perfect example of beautiful, thought-provoking storytelling. Each of his three studio albums, as well as many singles and EPs, offer a variety of songs that will appeal to a wide range of listeners.
Comentarios