Ethereal

When requested to choose a display theme for this blog, one word immediately jumped from the page, the theme entitled 'Ethereal'. 'Ethereal' meaning delicate or 'seeming to belong to another world'. A word which has been used recently to describe one man, Andrew Hozier Byrne. This, to me is the perfect word to describe the new Irish artist that is Hozier. His début album having been released this week has been long sought after ever since his music came onto the scene late last year. With the release of 'Take me to church', his name has become one of significant status and speculation on the Irish music scene ever since. I remember hearing this song on the radio numerous times and asking around to see if anyone knew where this anthem had come from. Then, one day, I was on the ball and launched Shazam* as soon as the song hit the airwaves. The name appearing, Hozier, never heard of him, has anyone else? But I couldn't get that opening line out of my head, "my lovers got humour, she's the giggle at a funeral". After hitting the ever faithful YouTube shortly after, I uncovered an abundance of acoustic tracks including 'Cherry Wine' and 'Work song'.

Apart from the encapsulating melodies issuing from his guitar, the most stand out element in Hozier's music is his voice. Inspired by early blues and soul music, his voice is a blend of this. You can hear anger and passion as he belts out those strong lines "I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife", but he also possesses a tender note to his voice which can be heard at points of vulnerability in his songs, "only then I am human, only then I am clean".

After fawning over various covers and his three released singles, 'Take me to church', 'From Eden' and 'Sedated'. Also having the opportunity to see him play live at Longitude festival and Electric picnic while he did a string of summer festivals and gigs around Europe. I can honestly admit that I am hooked on that voice, it plunges you into some other world, 'Ethereal'. With many fellow musicians admiring his work, the long awaited début album is finally here. In all its 17 tracks I feel as if I have been spoilt with this extensive track list. It is as if we are unworthy to have such an amount of Hozier at our disposal. It was worth the wait. Since he crept up on us late last year, fans have been gagging for more, more, more and now we have it. So what is the album like? the review? is it what we expected? The answer YES. AND MORE. (Album review to follow)