Every now and then a musician with immense talent reaches the upper echelon of the Billboard charts. They don’t get there because they’re so hot or because they’re dating Diplo. They didn’t win a talent competition. They’re just truly gifted, have worked hard and made it. That is the story of Hozier.
The Irish singer/songwriter came out of nowhere last year when his song, “Take Me To Church,” bombarded airwaves and started collecting awards. And, yes, by now we’re all pretty sick of it. But it’s hard to deny there’s talent there. You can hear it in the lyricism and imagery, the simple piano, that backing choir and, holy fuck, that voice. It sounds like nothing else on the radio and yet fits perfectly between so many of those other warbling voices.
Don’t allow the over-exposure of “Take Me To Church” ruin Hozier for you, though. The rest of his debut self-titled album is so deeply rooted in heartfelt Blues and Soul, it’s bound to have a lasting impact on even the seemingly mindless Pop-loving sheep. They’re going to want more of that sound. And the really curious music fiends will dig deeper. Just as bands like The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons helped propel new, young interest in Folk music, Hozier seems poised to do the same for Blues and Soul. They’re going to want to know the namesake behind “Jackie and Wilson” and they’re going to want more of that Southern Gospel sound.
Yes, you’re tired of “Amen.” But bite your tongue. Hozier is changing the Pop world, and he’s bringing that sound to Cincinnati. Show up, clap and bask in the sound of the Delta.
