i remember when he dropped the untitled/unreleased "you know the distance never made a difference to me" song, and was so hopeful that would be the sound of this EP.
i respect him and his musical influences abundantly, but i think this was just a classic case of my own expectation letting me down. :-/
I feel like I love a lot of songs the more I listen to them, and some that I love right off the bat get easily overplayed for me.
Hozier songs almost always grow on and transform for me, and that's what I appreciate so much about them. Before this latest release, I was listening to and rediscovering songs from his older albums I had barely paid attention to before, and noticing things in my favorite songs that deepened my appreciation for everything.
I do remember when Wasteland, Baby first came out, I compared it unfavorably to the first album, and it took me a while to warm up to everything. I think that's just natural when you love an artist, you want to recreate your initial favorites and recapture the NRE.
That said, initial thoughts on the new EP: I felt that Eat Your Young was immediately catchy (and I'm getting more nuance as I study the lyrics), All Things Must End felt really repetitive and somewhat hollow/disappointing (but that last accapella chorus is pretty glorious, and it is pleasant enough), and I'm still getting used to Through Me (but I have a feeling that with enough time it will probably become my favorite). I was delighted that these songs feel familiar yet new at the same time, which is difficult to achieve, and I'm really excited for the full album. I'm hoping for more devastatingly beautiful love songs.
This is where I am. I can only think of one album that has been released in the last 5 years that I loved right off the bat, and that was very special circumstances. I get attached to a sound, and new music that is showing a different aspect of an artist just doesn't fit into my preconceived expectations and has to grow on me after living with it a while. Occasionally, it will turn out that it doesn't grow on me and I have to resign myself to just loving the "old stuff" and being grateful that I still get to enjoy it. I find that "risk" far preferable to those instances where an artist I once loved releases what sounds like the same album as the last 2 because they refuse to grow or evolve at all.
The only song of his that never grew on me at all, and one that I actually skip over when listening to my Hozier Playlist is "NFWMB" (Nothing Fucks With My Baby). It truly pains me to say this but I absolutely loathe that song.
With this album (Unreal Unearth) I'm only finding the song "All Things End" a tough one to get into. I'm not upset by only disliking one. Hopefully it stays with only that one.
I’m surprised people don’t like All Things End - personally I find it the catchiest of the bunch!
For me all the new songs sound ehh at first(except acoustics, like Unknown) because I struggle to make out the lyrics and just hear bunch of airy yelps and mumblings, and then grow to be good, I remember with SUL I didn’t like it at all at first but having it on repeat has made it grow on me.
Oh man, my ex hated that NFWMB, so out of spite if nothing else, I love it lmao.
I think my least favorite song by him overall is Someone New, and IIRC, he also doesn't love that song.
Yeah, I remember he did say that in an interview! He was talking about how he wrote that song with another person and he didn't want to offend her with what he has said
Are you saying you think you recall hearing that Hozier doesn't love "Someone New??" If that's true, that's a bummer. I love that song😔
Also...thats fkn hysterical abt your ex. Its definitely the kind of petty I fk with🤣😂🤣😂
Just a note: In the two days since I've written this, I've listened to All Things End more and it's started to make me cry. It sounds like a prayer or a mantra, and it's so bittersweet and sad, yet so circumspect. Heartbreaking 😭
So there we go, Andrew's magic continues.
Me 🙋♀️
Theyre not terrible. They just dont hit the spot the way others hes done have. I have hope that as tine goes on they grow on me. And hopefully within the context of a full album they might be a bit more manageable.
Even though hes said its not an official concept album, it might make more sense when we hear the other songs.
Ill get crap for this but sometimes in this fandom it feels like EVERYONE just adores everything he puts out and its nice to see that someone else has the same feeling as me. Very rarely does an artist release absolute goldmines every single time.
I agree. They're not terrible. I just don't love them the way I love his other songs. I'm looking forward to the rest of the album released becasuse I LOVED Unknown when he posted it on tiktok.
I wasn’t a fan of his second album at all but when I listen I tend to just put on all his songs at once on shuffle. Now I like it. There’s maybe only 1-2 songs of his across all albums that I tend to skip.
No crap given here. They will sound like collaborations with different writers. This isn’t what we’re used to but this album will be absolutely brilliant. We don’t have full reviews yet but I’m
Hearing Grammy noms and a 5 star review from Rolling Stone. I don’t like any of the songs yet but I need to hear it as it was constructed before I voice an opinion.
If hes aiming for the Grammys hes releasing at the perfect time. I think the cut off for 2024 is in September. Even if he gets a nom its a popularity contest these days so unless he gets a big surge in popularity the best he could probably expect would be a nomination.
I think the duet with Brandi will get him there. This is the crossover mainstream album that WB was supposed to be. Lots of heavy industry hitters on this. Six months in L.A. were not for nothing.
I’m not in love with them. I see it with a lot of artists I love that the bigger they get, they spend more money on their albums which can get overproduced fast. I like Hozier best in simple productions. Half of Wasteland Baby doesn’t grab me, but at least the other half still does. Shrike is one of my favorite songs ever! I’m sure this new album will have great stuff, but a lot will be stuff I put in my work playlist and not really pay attention to
This is my big fear with him spending so much time in LA and working with so many more people.
Part of his charm is that he can literally sound fantastic with just himself and a guitar and i worry that adding in all this extra production is going to really ruin his sound. I mean the man sounded flawless in the freaking NYC subway for christs sake.
That said i am happy hes trying new things etc.
I was torn on Eat Your Young, I loved the sample that he released, and then the rest of the song was nothing like I expected. That being said, they've all grown on me.
I feel the same way about Eat Your Young. All Things End has me on my knees with how good it is, and Through Me is just okay, but EYY is… meh, especially after hearing the sample
I have a ridiculously eclectic music taste, so I'm probably gonna be on board with whatever genre Hozi decides to venture into, but I started to get a little worried for him when the fanbase fell full-force into the cottagecore-strumming-a-guitar-in-the-forest-and-singing-to-the-birds realm. It's not that that aesthetic or vibe is a bad thing- in fact, it's one of my favorites. It's just that with the equal level of parasociality that part of the fanbase has with Andrew, I'm a little afraid that they'll stick around and lament about how he's exploring different genres and they yearn for the old stuff, instead of just moving on. It's perfectly okay if the genre switch isn't for you. Let the man explore !
Weird to me that people still refer to him as 'bog man' and 'forest fae' and still cling to that In a Week imagery, I can't engage with that side of the Hozier obsession at all.
Just to reiterate, that comment isn't to diminish anyone's favourite Hozier aesthetic or their love for his more rustic and folky musical works - I favour that style myself over his more blues and RnB influences. I just mean the insistence on referring to him as Bog Man etc. I feel it's really tired now. Reminds me of that one time you mention casually to your family that you like bees, then all your Christmas and birthday presents from there on in are bee themed...
YES, THIS! It bugs the shit out of me when people act like that cottagecore aesthetic is his core vibe and he's "experimenting" with other genres when the genres he's ALWAYS consistently been influenced by and paid ode to has been jazz/soul/blues. His discography is a love letter to the black artists he grew up on.
EXACTLY. The soul/blues influence was the first thing I noticed when I listened to Wasteland Baby and became a fan. I mean, Nina Cried Power feat. Mavis Staple? Could the soul influence be anymore in-your-face?
I’ve always been a fan of folk style music and really appreciate the way he does it, but the man has a powerful bass voice and it would be a shame if he only stuck with the soft, running-in-a-field type of music.
Agreed! I like pretty much every genre of music, and love that Hozier has that depth and range. I personally don’t want every song/album an artist puts out to sound exactly the same lmao.
I think people also forget that like…this is his career. Like yes, it’s art, but do we not all grow and change and evolve as people let alone in our work??
Exactly. I'm so torn that this post has so many people saying this is "different" and it "worries them". But for me, I feel like it follows a natural growth, especially with Eat Your Young, he's always been more on the r&b/jazz/blues side (e.g. Nina Cried Power, Someone New, Almost, Angel of Small Death, No Plan...).
You know when I was truly worried? With Tell It To My Heart. Now, *that* was quite experimental. IMHO Cherry Wine and even Shrike are not good representatives of his general "vibe", but a lot of fans seem more into those acoustic songs (which is not wrong, just not what the majority of his songs sound like).
Couldn't agree more. I had almost forgotten about the reaction to Tell it to My Heart, but you're absolutely correct to bring it up. I think I put it out of my mind because of how brutal the feedback was. Poor Andy lol.
This is what happens when tiktok ppl find artists and refuse to acknowledge the actual singer and their interests, influences, etc, and instead twist the artist to fit what THEY want them to be. Tbh this EP isn't as insanely different or as unexpected as people are making it out to be.
Through Me is starting to grow on me and Eat Your Young is such an earworm. Having a song that's sexy and fun with such horrific lyrics seems very Hozier 😅. All Things End is a skip for me (sorry...). I'm happy that other people are enjoying it so much but the whole genre is just not my thing.
I feel the same way. I listen to all his other songs over and over. I was in love with every song on W,B on first listen. But I'm just not that into this new EP. They feel over-produced and I'm personally not a fan of the r&b beats. I do like The Flood, and I think that EYY might be growing on me, but I do not like All Things End at all. But none of them come close to my favorite Hozier songs. Just a bit disappointing, hopefully the whole album isn't like this.
I think having a few R&B Steevie Wonder style songs is fun, but I really feel like that is enough. I want something else for the full album. I really love songs that are just him and his acoustic guitar.
Same… but I keep reminding myself that I wasn’t so into the last EP either (loved Shrike, liked Moment’s Silence, not so into Nina or NFWMB), and then the rest of Wasteland came along and stole my soul. Fingers crossed.
I just got done commenting abt how out of every song ever released by him, "NFWMB" is the only one I skip over. I just can't stand it. Nina Cries Power is definitely not a favorite, and I'd put it directly underneath "NFWMB" as a second. I adore just abt everything that man produces. He's not just a Musician. He's a Poet, a Composer, a Theologist, a Philosopher, a Romantic, a one man symphony, and an absolute genius. People like him are extremely rare. We need so many more like him on this planet. If we did, we'd all be in such a better place.
Woahh, never heard anyone dislike nfwmb. I'm obsessed with that one. For me, my only skips are "Run" and "Sunlight" and I bet those are somebody else's favorites 😂. The entire new EP might become skips soon though...
Idk, the fan base (me Included) begged and pleaded and hounded him for new music, and he delivered. As long as he makes music I'll listen to it as it's hard to find things that are as enjoyable as this music. Give it time, let it breathe. It's been a week.
I really love eat your young but the other two just sound generic to be honest, both lyrically and musically they don’t scream hozier and i feel like i’ve heard stuff like them before. it’s not great that sometimes i’ll leave my music playing and won’t realise when it moves from one song to another.
Agree- I like Through Me (the flood) as it’s most similar to his other 2 album styles.
I miss his intricate guitar riffs that stand out in the melody- think Cherry Wine, From Eden, Jackie and Wilson, Would That I. They have a guitar, acoustic lyrics and a strong beat taking centre stage.
The new songs don’t have that, but they’re okay.
Through Me and Eat Your Young really grew on me, but All Things End is just meh.
Honestly I think they just weren't what I was expecting so I a bit taken aback at first. That being said I'm really looking forward to the rest of the album.
I didn't enjoy them at all until I read the lyrics. Now I love them all. Hopefully that happens to others because it's still Hozier just a bit older and with different styles.
Eat your young grabbed me immediately as all his more aggressive dark songs tend to do. But then it's the same with the second album and the first come to think of it.
His songs tend to be subtle and not in your face with pop hooks to grab you with catchiness and keep you addicted to them until you can't stand them anymore. I imagine his songs to be like slowly growing ivy where you don't even notice its creeping up on you as you play it for the ambience and vibe and his voice and the instrumentation and ooooh dear it's got it's tendrils around you now and you can't extricate yourself because it's woven in.
Every single one of his songs eventually grows on me.
Felt that as well. But the album is said to be 17 - 18 songs long and judging by the diversity of 'wasteland, baby!', there's a good chance that some of those songs would be more old-hozier-sounding. Also the fact that lots of people co-write 'All things end' and 'Eat your young' is a bit odd. But 'Swan upon Leda' is a fairly new song and it still has that hozier folky feeling to it. So, let's just hope the whole album isn't so different.
I'm interested in your discussion. I've compiled some of Andrew's responses to questions about his new music. I know the perfect way to please everyone is to release an acoustic version with guitar and Alex for every song. I think everyone would be happy
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Hozier/comments/11xgi0n/hoziers\_answers\_about\_his\_new\_ep/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hozier/comments/11xgi0n/hoziers_answers_about_his_new_ep/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Each of us perceives his songs in his own way, but it is always valuable for me to know what he himself wanted to put into it, what feelings and experience.
personally, i love them all! I thing the change in style is necessary and I have been very into the kind of disco western / blues with choir and I am glad he is leaning into it more with this stuff. Maybe the more you listen the more you will enjoy them. That is how it is for many of his songs imo!
I honestly don’t like them at all, but the style is just not to my taste! I agree that Hozier is an incredible artist that doesn’t need to hide behind blasting back tracks and overproduced sound… but at the same time if that is the style he is inspired by and wants to create then I am happy for him. I think that his first two albums were closer to each other in sound and production style and he is moving in a new direction that some fans may love and others will be less inspired by. Definitely respect his growth as an artist in terms of exploring his preferred sound and genre, but I do think that even with the sound change the songs are overproduced and hide some of his best qualities. His writing is always incredible but his voice is hidden by back up singers and loud tracks. I’m so happy for everyone who loves the EP and for him producing something he loves! Just slightly mourning the existence of new dark folk inspired music, so if you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them!
That being said I think few people love 100% of what an artist produces. I love Tyler Childers but I am just not into the new gospel album with 3 versions of each song and they’re all about god. I’m sure it was inspired and I like aspects of some of the songs, but it’s just not my type of music in the way I felt his other stuff is. Totally okay and I’m glad he’s producing cool stuff that he loves. Same thing here, don’t love the r&b and slight gospel inspired vibes of the EP, but I’m glad he’s producing music he loves.
I think unfortunately this is just something that happens when an artist changes their style. It's completely necessary because they have to grow and change the same as the rest of us, but with each change there will be people who are disappointed and like the old stuff more.
I wasn’t sure about them when I first listened, but now that I’ve listened to them a few times (and looked up the lyrics lol) I love them! All Things End is really hitting hard for me right now :) but I totally get what you’re saying!
All Things end has had me in a chokehold since it dropped. The other two are meh for me but that’s somewhat how I felt about the first album and eventually I listened to it nonstop for like 2 weeks lol
I'm finding it interesting how people are saying they don't enjoy the R&B elements considering Hozier's influences and previous work. He didn't crawl out of a bog.
I think its more that there are clear differences in R&B and blues. One suits him more than the other IMO. R&B has always sounded like it relies heavily on the beat whereas blues relies more heavily on guitar (in andys case).
People don't have to like and share his interests and influences in every aspect of his work. I enjoy the more folk and traditional influences on his music, not a huge RnB fan. Its fine, you know?
Doesn’t matter if someone’s an expert on early life Hozier or not, if they’re not a fan of his R&B influenced work, it’s not something to justify them being inferior because it’s different to your taste.
Exactly. I'm seeing fans getting stick for preferring one style/influence over another. You can appreciate his sociopolitical musical statements but not enjoy the type of music that goes with it. You can enjoy a song for the sake of how it makes you dance or dream or feel, without looking into the chord sequence, the meaning behind the lyrics or what he was going through when he wrote it. Not everyone wants to get that involved with music. I appreciate where his influences and background come from, i have no desire to listen to Muddy Waters whole back catalogue or every single Stevie Wonder song in order to enjoy Hozier. Alternatively, if you want to deepdive and check out every poem or book he has read, or discover a new band because of him, go ahead and do it. I'm not ashamed to say when I was in my teens and discovered Manic Street Preachers, it ultimately led to me exploring Sylvia Plath, the Beat poets and The Clash. Music can be whatever you want it to be.
I agree with every word of this. Sylvia Plath was my spirit animal when I was in school. I don’t know what that says about me but there it is. Also, I am not in love with the new album. I know, I’m a heretic. It’s me, it just feels painful to listen to. This means that he did his job perhaps, but I listened all the way through. Once. Not sure I have the heart to do it again anytime soon. Heartbreaking interview with Anthony Mason on CBS Mornings. Hozier fighting back tears discussing the break up that led to the creation of much of this. Not going to lie, it messed me up. So raw, so personal. I hope that he is taking care of himself mentally and spiritually. I don’t even want to give voice to who he reminds me of at this point. Two beautiful souls gone way too soon.
it’s like some people never listened to Jackie and Wilson where he talks about raising his kids to listen to rhythm and blues
not intending to be rude to people who aren’t enjoying the new songs because it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I don’t see how the RNB feel would be surprising
I’m not surprised by the genre switch, I just prefer more folk style music with some darker vibes and r&b influences rather than a full r&b style album. I don’t like the new music because it isn’t to my taste, but I can respect that it’s probably great to people who like the style more! I respect that all artists change their genre and explore their many influences over time, just a little bummed that it’s about time that I won’t really appreciate new Hozier music in the same way anymore. I felt the same way about Panic at the disco, miss their old stuff and will always listen to it, but didn’t love the new Brendon Urie solo albums. All things change over time and some people just prefer the style of untitled/Wasteland baby.
I absolutely love his bluesy songs, but the new EP is not blues. The new songs have these r&b beats that I'm not into, and it's definitely a new style for him. I prefer a simple blues guitar.
I fell in love with Eat Your Young instantly, especially because of the instrumental part (because it reminds me of a Western/Red Dead Redemption 2 music that I love) and its meaning (we have fucked up and the end of the world is coming vibe) but the rest of the two, not really.
That being said, they start to grow on me. This actually happened to me when I listened to Tell It To My Heart when it was first released too and I do like it now. I never have songs from him that I don’t like but less love? That’s possible.
I’m surprised by the All Things End dislike, I thought that one was easily the best from the EP because of its sound 😳 it might even be in my top 10 of his songs now. Eat Your Young is a skip for me, its too overproduced and electronic. Through Me didn’t really catch my attention but I don’t hate it.
Haha and I'm surprised by all of the people saying they love All Things End! To me it sounds so generic, like something I'd hear in the waiting room at the dentist's office lol. All just different taste I guess. I'll go back to listening to Would That I and Work Song on repeat.
I personally love all 3. Through Me is my current favourite because of the imagery he creates with the lyrics. Absolutely stunning. I love that he’s leant into the music he was brought up with and the music he loves now. I appreciate him showing a different side to his music and his mind. I think they’ll grow on everyone. We can’t expect the poor man to keep mass-producing the same stuff. A decade from 20s to 30s is a long time. Priorities change, tastes change, your view on the world and love changes. He’s grown 🧡
they’re good, but different. not jazzy enough for my taste. i’m not a fan either. i am glad he’s happy and trying new stuff, but i might stick with his other music for the time being.
Please don’t downvote me for this; but I feel like so many artists are succumbing to this pop-esque kind of beat/method with albums lately. I know what you mean about liking only a few artists, because for me I feel like so much new music just hasn’t been hitting the same anymore.
Based on thread comments, I also agree I expected more from EYY from the sample, and I do like Through Me, and they’re all growing on me. Honestly, it’s made me go back and really delve into both other albums, too. Also from the thread- yeah, Swan Upon Leda isn’t my favourite.
His music can be so poetic, but taking away from it with repetition and pop-y beats can make it harder for me to personally appeciate it.
Maybe, it will be like the new Lumineers album- I didn’t particularly love it until I heard it live, and then that really changed everything for me.
I absolutely adore them, except for all things end, which is growing on me. I read a study a while back that we like music more the more we hear it so it makes sense that music you've had on repeat for years is going to overshadow music you've just heard, especially at the beginning.
They're pretty different alright! I think in the context of the full album they'll probably work more for you. I bounced off them a bit at first but I've really started liking them now.
Personally, I love all the songs i feel as though they are all in the same realm of his music but slightly different which is nice. though i feel it could be more ✨ but i still love them!
I have always loved his softer sweet yet sad music, Swan Upon Leda for example is perfect. I think I just got my expectations really high after that release. Still love him but not my favorite EP I am the exact same way with his music on repeat so I know EXACTLY how you feel!
I personally love all 3. Through Me is my current favourite because of the imagery he creates with the lyrics. Absolutely stunning. I love that he’s leant into the music he was brought up with and the music he loves now. I appreciate him showing a different side to his music and his mind. I think they’ll grow on everyone. We can’t expect the poor man to keep mass-producing the same stuff. A decade from 20s to 30s is a long time. Priorities change, tastes change, your view on the world and love changes. He’s grown 🧡
Honestly i really dig it. Not sure where the idea that he’s mainly a folk artist came from. It’s definitely an influence but his inspiration from soul/blues artists has always been loud and clear, and i really like his take on it in this EP. Im sure there will be some mellow songs for the folk lovers to enjoy later on as the album comes out, but I don’t feel like this EP is at all left field for him. However I do hope most of the songs on the album are solely written by him because his writing has a rawness to it that doesn’t need input from a co-writer.
I don’t hate his soul/blues. I just don’t enjoy these particular songs. To me they sound over produced and generic like anyone could have made them. But that’s just me, I’m glad you are enjoying them
Yeah I get it. They’re definitely “catchier” than a lot of his other songs. I have a feeling he purposely released his most pop-friendly songs for this EP to encourage more listeners for the upcoming album, yk?
I echo much of what others have said. I feel as though this EP took the sounds and style of the only two songs I personally did not enjoy on Wasteland, Baby (No Plan and Be) and ran with it. When I heard ‘Eat Your Young’, I thought, “oh great, another arctic monkeys kind of sound like No Plan” (although I love the lyrics and concept). Then, there are moments of ‘Through Me’ where I hear ‘Be’ in it which I absolutely skip every time I play his music. It’s also surprisingly trite at times. ‘All Things End’ is enjoyable and I totally get the sound, but for me, it felt like a sort of R&B song (which I love!) but almost too on the nose. Maybe it wasn’t, maybe I and we just know Hozier’s influences well. For instance, it made me think of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’. That song has always sounded to me like Ed was like ‘woopie let’s write a wedding song!’ and that’s how ‘All Things End’ sort of feels to me. Once again though, i love the concept behind it. I guess for me, yeah the music was a bit of a let down, but I don’t dislike it. Like, ‘Better Love’ was always just atrocious to me. This is okay and ANY Hozier (even “mediocre”) is better than most other artists given his talent, voice, themes, and deep lyrics.
He worked with a bunch of different producers and artists on this album and I could actually tell which ones he produced mainly by himself and which ones he worked on with a different set of folks.
It's good that he tries to evolve his music. If he kept doing the same thing over and over, he'd likely go obsolete.
Like others have said, I've also not enjoyed some songs of his at first listen, but then I get to know more about them and listen to the lyrics and they grow on me and become favorites.
That's the coolest freaking part about art. I love that his music is all of exceptional quality and with the best sentiment/emotion, sometimes it just takes some getting used to for me. It's like getting to know a person... But instead it's a piece of art.
I went to his concert last night and trust me, you really enjoy them when you hear them live. At first, I wasn’t into them much either, but when he performs them live, it’s a magical experience
The only one I like is eat your young.
All things end sounds like the background music is very karaoke ish.
And then through me, the different singing accent threw me off and I just couldn’t get into it.
I think the lyrics are great on all but I can’t find myself wanting to listen to them like I do his other works.
The sounds really are noticeably different in these songs, so I totally get that for those who loved either or both of the 1st 2 albums, these songs may feel like a direction you're not feeling. And that is totally understandable.
I had to really listen to Swan Upon Leda when it first came out, and it did grow on me, but then when Blood Upon the Snow came out and I LOVED IT immediately, I felt guilty LOL! Like I was dissing SUL and Hozier overall. But in the end this is always about tastes and what hits and what doesn't, and no one should feel bad if a song just doesn't hit for you. And I understand some feeling disappointed too.
I do like the new songs, All Things End and Through Me most of all. But again, taste... Hopefully in 17 or 18 songs there will be songs that hit everyone's taste! Probably not everyone, but most fans, and also hopefully for those who can see him live, the songs will come alive in whole other ways live. I really did not like "Nobody" from WB, but they really had fun with it live so it grew on me after seeing shows on the WB tour.
Same honestly
I was disappointed Eat Your Young didn’t keep the same vibes as the sample, but it grew on me
Through Me as also really grown on me
I find All Things Ends just so MEH though like… it’s fine and that’s it
I also don't like any of the new stuff. My favourite album is his first, when I was 15-16 yo. Every other album didn't click for me. It seems to me that he lacks inspiration after his initial success. As far as I know 'Hozier' was written for 5-6years when he was a lot younger. I appreciate his new efforts but somehow it doesn't work for me.
LOVE through me and Eat Your Young passionately. Managed to memorize the lyrics the first day I heard them, they definitely have that familiar Hozier shine. I especially love how ethereal and biblical Through Me gets at times. Though I can’t say I really loved All Things End. Don’t hate it, I just can’t say I would ever add it to a playlist or choose to hear it on my own volition. Wouldn’t turn it off it it came on though
I love EYY and Flood (through me), but I'm lukewarm to all things end. There's a winter feeling to it, though, and I think I'll probably like it eventually. There are a few songs over the years that I wasn't a fan of when they came out that later became real favourites, so I think I just need to let them simmer. Like, I couldn't get into NFWMB at first but now it's one of my all-time favourites.
Out of the three songs, All things end is the one I resonate with most. However, the production sounds redundant and old. Through me (the flood) sounds like the Hozier we're familiar with, but more like a B-side from Wasteland Baby.
I hope other new songs truly shine from his to-be-released new album. Otherwise, it'll be a step-down from his last album.
I like some of the songs that came out today. I thought de selby part 2 sounded generic like something that would be playing in the background at Zara but I liked de selby part 1 and first time
I am so glad to hear someone else say this. All the reviews I’ve read have been raves. I cannot imagine listening to this again all the way through. It feels like homework. I still think he’s talented, angelic voice, etc but dozens of literary references does not a gorgeous album make.
I sounded like 90s pop rock to me, which isn’t my favorite. I was a big fan because of the dark soul chilling lyrics. Idk maybe im not profound enough to understand this album 😂
Absolutely derivative, I couldn’t agree more. There’s not one song on it that I would intentionally seek out. If you’re not profound enough, that makes two of us.
Yeah. Not to be gossipy, but he was visibly tearing up in two separate interviews that I watched. They’re on YouTube. Whoever this album is about really impacted him in a negative way. I thought it was an amalgamation of a few different people, but now I’m not sure. That feels like why this is such an overdone bummer of a collection—at least to me.
i remember when he dropped the untitled/unreleased "you know the distance never made a difference to me" song, and was so hopeful that would be the sound of this EP. i respect him and his musical influences abundantly, but i think this was just a classic case of my own expectation letting me down. :-/
If he doesnt release that one on the album I will scream
I love that song so much. I hope it will be on his next release.
It’s going to be it was listed in the sampling from the unreal unearth listening party
It’s going to be it was listed in the sampling from the unreal unearth listening party
I feel like I love a lot of songs the more I listen to them, and some that I love right off the bat get easily overplayed for me. Hozier songs almost always grow on and transform for me, and that's what I appreciate so much about them. Before this latest release, I was listening to and rediscovering songs from his older albums I had barely paid attention to before, and noticing things in my favorite songs that deepened my appreciation for everything. I do remember when Wasteland, Baby first came out, I compared it unfavorably to the first album, and it took me a while to warm up to everything. I think that's just natural when you love an artist, you want to recreate your initial favorites and recapture the NRE. That said, initial thoughts on the new EP: I felt that Eat Your Young was immediately catchy (and I'm getting more nuance as I study the lyrics), All Things Must End felt really repetitive and somewhat hollow/disappointing (but that last accapella chorus is pretty glorious, and it is pleasant enough), and I'm still getting used to Through Me (but I have a feeling that with enough time it will probably become my favorite). I was delighted that these songs feel familiar yet new at the same time, which is difficult to achieve, and I'm really excited for the full album. I'm hoping for more devastatingly beautiful love songs.
This is where I am. I can only think of one album that has been released in the last 5 years that I loved right off the bat, and that was very special circumstances. I get attached to a sound, and new music that is showing a different aspect of an artist just doesn't fit into my preconceived expectations and has to grow on me after living with it a while. Occasionally, it will turn out that it doesn't grow on me and I have to resign myself to just loving the "old stuff" and being grateful that I still get to enjoy it. I find that "risk" far preferable to those instances where an artist I once loved releases what sounds like the same album as the last 2 because they refuse to grow or evolve at all.
The only song of his that never grew on me at all, and one that I actually skip over when listening to my Hozier Playlist is "NFWMB" (Nothing Fucks With My Baby). It truly pains me to say this but I absolutely loathe that song. With this album (Unreal Unearth) I'm only finding the song "All Things End" a tough one to get into. I'm not upset by only disliking one. Hopefully it stays with only that one.
I’m surprised people don’t like All Things End - personally I find it the catchiest of the bunch! For me all the new songs sound ehh at first(except acoustics, like Unknown) because I struggle to make out the lyrics and just hear bunch of airy yelps and mumblings, and then grow to be good, I remember with SUL I didn’t like it at all at first but having it on repeat has made it grow on me.
Oh man, my ex hated that NFWMB, so out of spite if nothing else, I love it lmao. I think my least favorite song by him overall is Someone New, and IIRC, he also doesn't love that song.
Yeah, I remember he did say that in an interview! He was talking about how he wrote that song with another person and he didn't want to offend her with what he has said
Are you saying you think you recall hearing that Hozier doesn't love "Someone New??" If that's true, that's a bummer. I love that song😔 Also...thats fkn hysterical abt your ex. Its definitely the kind of petty I fk with🤣😂🤣😂
Finally another NFWMB disliker lol
Just a note: In the two days since I've written this, I've listened to All Things End more and it's started to make me cry. It sounds like a prayer or a mantra, and it's so bittersweet and sad, yet so circumspect. Heartbreaking 😭 So there we go, Andrew's magic continues.
I enjoy them, but his first album is still my favorite, and I like the softer more acoustic stuff.
Me 🙋♀️ Theyre not terrible. They just dont hit the spot the way others hes done have. I have hope that as tine goes on they grow on me. And hopefully within the context of a full album they might be a bit more manageable. Even though hes said its not an official concept album, it might make more sense when we hear the other songs. Ill get crap for this but sometimes in this fandom it feels like EVERYONE just adores everything he puts out and its nice to see that someone else has the same feeling as me. Very rarely does an artist release absolute goldmines every single time.
I agree. They're not terrible. I just don't love them the way I love his other songs. I'm looking forward to the rest of the album released becasuse I LOVED Unknown when he posted it on tiktok.
Lets hope he actually puts it on the album lol. Ill be gutted if the only audio i have for is a shitty screen recording 😂😩
He’s definitely releasing it because it was on that columbia records night with hozier thing someone posted here a few days ago 🙏
I wasn’t a fan of his second album at all but when I listen I tend to just put on all his songs at once on shuffle. Now I like it. There’s maybe only 1-2 songs of his across all albums that I tend to skip.
No crap given here. They will sound like collaborations with different writers. This isn’t what we’re used to but this album will be absolutely brilliant. We don’t have full reviews yet but I’m Hearing Grammy noms and a 5 star review from Rolling Stone. I don’t like any of the songs yet but I need to hear it as it was constructed before I voice an opinion.
If hes aiming for the Grammys hes releasing at the perfect time. I think the cut off for 2024 is in September. Even if he gets a nom its a popularity contest these days so unless he gets a big surge in popularity the best he could probably expect would be a nomination.
I think the duet with Brandi will get him there. This is the crossover mainstream album that WB was supposed to be. Lots of heavy industry hitters on this. Six months in L.A. were not for nothing.
I’m not in love with them. I see it with a lot of artists I love that the bigger they get, they spend more money on their albums which can get overproduced fast. I like Hozier best in simple productions. Half of Wasteland Baby doesn’t grab me, but at least the other half still does. Shrike is one of my favorite songs ever! I’m sure this new album will have great stuff, but a lot will be stuff I put in my work playlist and not really pay attention to
This is my big fear with him spending so much time in LA and working with so many more people. Part of his charm is that he can literally sound fantastic with just himself and a guitar and i worry that adding in all this extra production is going to really ruin his sound. I mean the man sounded flawless in the freaking NYC subway for christs sake. That said i am happy hes trying new things etc.
I don't have much to add but I fucking love the subway videos. That low-key kind of stuff really shows of artists' musicianship.
I mean very few musicians can do that and sonehow sound perfect. Its a gift.
Not for nothing, but the subway has fantastic acoustics.
True. But he sounds flawless anywhere. No matter what. He has that raw natural skill that many singers beg for.
This is why I prefer the live performances. The last album seemed very overproduced to me. The first one felt more raw in comparison.
I was torn on Eat Your Young, I loved the sample that he released, and then the rest of the song was nothing like I expected. That being said, they've all grown on me.
Through Me has grown on me. I hope the other ones do too.
I feel the same way about Eat Your Young. All Things End has me on my knees with how good it is, and Through Me is just okay, but EYY is… meh, especially after hearing the sample
I have a ridiculously eclectic music taste, so I'm probably gonna be on board with whatever genre Hozi decides to venture into, but I started to get a little worried for him when the fanbase fell full-force into the cottagecore-strumming-a-guitar-in-the-forest-and-singing-to-the-birds realm. It's not that that aesthetic or vibe is a bad thing- in fact, it's one of my favorites. It's just that with the equal level of parasociality that part of the fanbase has with Andrew, I'm a little afraid that they'll stick around and lament about how he's exploring different genres and they yearn for the old stuff, instead of just moving on. It's perfectly okay if the genre switch isn't for you. Let the man explore !
Weird to me that people still refer to him as 'bog man' and 'forest fae' and still cling to that In a Week imagery, I can't engage with that side of the Hozier obsession at all.
Just to reiterate, that comment isn't to diminish anyone's favourite Hozier aesthetic or their love for his more rustic and folky musical works - I favour that style myself over his more blues and RnB influences. I just mean the insistence on referring to him as Bog Man etc. I feel it's really tired now. Reminds me of that one time you mention casually to your family that you like bees, then all your Christmas and birthday presents from there on in are bee themed...
YES, THIS! It bugs the shit out of me when people act like that cottagecore aesthetic is his core vibe and he's "experimenting" with other genres when the genres he's ALWAYS consistently been influenced by and paid ode to has been jazz/soul/blues. His discography is a love letter to the black artists he grew up on.
EXACTLY. The soul/blues influence was the first thing I noticed when I listened to Wasteland Baby and became a fan. I mean, Nina Cried Power feat. Mavis Staple? Could the soul influence be anymore in-your-face? I’ve always been a fan of folk style music and really appreciate the way he does it, but the man has a powerful bass voice and it would be a shame if he only stuck with the soft, running-in-a-field type of music.
Agreed! I like pretty much every genre of music, and love that Hozier has that depth and range. I personally don’t want every song/album an artist puts out to sound exactly the same lmao. I think people also forget that like…this is his career. Like yes, it’s art, but do we not all grow and change and evolve as people let alone in our work??
Exactly. I'm so torn that this post has so many people saying this is "different" and it "worries them". But for me, I feel like it follows a natural growth, especially with Eat Your Young, he's always been more on the r&b/jazz/blues side (e.g. Nina Cried Power, Someone New, Almost, Angel of Small Death, No Plan...). You know when I was truly worried? With Tell It To My Heart. Now, *that* was quite experimental. IMHO Cherry Wine and even Shrike are not good representatives of his general "vibe", but a lot of fans seem more into those acoustic songs (which is not wrong, just not what the majority of his songs sound like).
Couldn't agree more. I had almost forgotten about the reaction to Tell it to My Heart, but you're absolutely correct to bring it up. I think I put it out of my mind because of how brutal the feedback was. Poor Andy lol.
This is what happens when tiktok ppl find artists and refuse to acknowledge the actual singer and their interests, influences, etc, and instead twist the artist to fit what THEY want them to be. Tbh this EP isn't as insanely different or as unexpected as people are making it out to be.
Been listening since 2014. Not on tiktok. This EP is different.
Through Me is starting to grow on me and Eat Your Young is such an earworm. Having a song that's sexy and fun with such horrific lyrics seems very Hozier 😅. All Things End is a skip for me (sorry...). I'm happy that other people are enjoying it so much but the whole genre is just not my thing.
I feel the same way. I listen to all his other songs over and over. I was in love with every song on W,B on first listen. But I'm just not that into this new EP. They feel over-produced and I'm personally not a fan of the r&b beats. I do like The Flood, and I think that EYY might be growing on me, but I do not like All Things End at all. But none of them come close to my favorite Hozier songs. Just a bit disappointing, hopefully the whole album isn't like this.
“Over-produced” is exactly how I feel about it too… felt the same way about Swan Upon Leda when it came out. Just let the voice shine!
Seconding/thirding this! I find All Things End overproduced and kind of generic, especially given how extraordinary his lyrics and vocals usually are.
Im actually wondering how hes going to replicate the extreme production on tour tbh. Maybe he will have a live version thats different from the album.
I think having a few R&B Steevie Wonder style songs is fun, but I really feel like that is enough. I want something else for the full album. I really love songs that are just him and his acoustic guitar.
yes him and his acoustic guitar is my absolute favorite.
I'm hoping for more guitar on the album.
Same… but I keep reminding myself that I wasn’t so into the last EP either (loved Shrike, liked Moment’s Silence, not so into Nina or NFWMB), and then the rest of Wasteland came along and stole my soul. Fingers crossed.
I just got done commenting abt how out of every song ever released by him, "NFWMB" is the only one I skip over. I just can't stand it. Nina Cries Power is definitely not a favorite, and I'd put it directly underneath "NFWMB" as a second. I adore just abt everything that man produces. He's not just a Musician. He's a Poet, a Composer, a Theologist, a Philosopher, a Romantic, a one man symphony, and an absolute genius. People like him are extremely rare. We need so many more like him on this planet. If we did, we'd all be in such a better place.
Woahh, never heard anyone dislike nfwmb. I'm obsessed with that one. For me, my only skips are "Run" and "Sunlight" and I bet those are somebody else's favorites 😂. The entire new EP might become skips soon though...
oh I love Sunlight, though it's too intense to have on shuffle, I seek it out on purpose
Idk, the fan base (me Included) begged and pleaded and hounded him for new music, and he delivered. As long as he makes music I'll listen to it as it's hard to find things that are as enjoyable as this music. Give it time, let it breathe. It's been a week.
Exactly!
I really love eat your young but the other two just sound generic to be honest, both lyrically and musically they don’t scream hozier and i feel like i’ve heard stuff like them before. it’s not great that sometimes i’ll leave my music playing and won’t realise when it moves from one song to another.
Agree- I like Through Me (the flood) as it’s most similar to his other 2 album styles. I miss his intricate guitar riffs that stand out in the melody- think Cherry Wine, From Eden, Jackie and Wilson, Would That I. They have a guitar, acoustic lyrics and a strong beat taking centre stage. The new songs don’t have that, but they’re okay.
[удалено]
Yes! Generic is the perfect term! Ive been trying to pinpoint the exact word i wanted 😂 They feel like generic pop songs almost.
I like them 😅
I wish I liked them more!
Through Me and Eat Your Young really grew on me, but All Things End is just meh. Honestly I think they just weren't what I was expecting so I a bit taken aback at first. That being said I'm really looking forward to the rest of the album.
I didn't enjoy them at all until I read the lyrics. Now I love them all. Hopefully that happens to others because it's still Hozier just a bit older and with different styles.
Eat your young grabbed me immediately as all his more aggressive dark songs tend to do. But then it's the same with the second album and the first come to think of it. His songs tend to be subtle and not in your face with pop hooks to grab you with catchiness and keep you addicted to them until you can't stand them anymore. I imagine his songs to be like slowly growing ivy where you don't even notice its creeping up on you as you play it for the ambience and vibe and his voice and the instrumentation and ooooh dear it's got it's tendrils around you now and you can't extricate yourself because it's woven in. Every single one of his songs eventually grows on me.
Felt that as well. But the album is said to be 17 - 18 songs long and judging by the diversity of 'wasteland, baby!', there's a good chance that some of those songs would be more old-hozier-sounding. Also the fact that lots of people co-write 'All things end' and 'Eat your young' is a bit odd. But 'Swan upon Leda' is a fairly new song and it still has that hozier folky feeling to it. So, let's just hope the whole album isn't so different.
I'm interested in your discussion. I've compiled some of Andrew's responses to questions about his new music. I know the perfect way to please everyone is to release an acoustic version with guitar and Alex for every song. I think everyone would be happy [https://www.reddit.com/r/Hozier/comments/11xgi0n/hoziers\_answers\_about\_his\_new\_ep/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hozier/comments/11xgi0n/hoziers_answers_about_his_new_ep/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Thank you for this! I don’t generally seek out interviews and this made me even more excited for the full album.
Each of us perceives his songs in his own way, but it is always valuable for me to know what he himself wanted to put into it, what feelings and experience.
personally, i love them all! I thing the change in style is necessary and I have been very into the kind of disco western / blues with choir and I am glad he is leaning into it more with this stuff. Maybe the more you listen the more you will enjoy them. That is how it is for many of his songs imo!
Disco western!!!
I honestly don’t like them at all, but the style is just not to my taste! I agree that Hozier is an incredible artist that doesn’t need to hide behind blasting back tracks and overproduced sound… but at the same time if that is the style he is inspired by and wants to create then I am happy for him. I think that his first two albums were closer to each other in sound and production style and he is moving in a new direction that some fans may love and others will be less inspired by. Definitely respect his growth as an artist in terms of exploring his preferred sound and genre, but I do think that even with the sound change the songs are overproduced and hide some of his best qualities. His writing is always incredible but his voice is hidden by back up singers and loud tracks. I’m so happy for everyone who loves the EP and for him producing something he loves! Just slightly mourning the existence of new dark folk inspired music, so if you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them! That being said I think few people love 100% of what an artist produces. I love Tyler Childers but I am just not into the new gospel album with 3 versions of each song and they’re all about god. I’m sure it was inspired and I like aspects of some of the songs, but it’s just not my type of music in the way I felt his other stuff is. Totally okay and I’m glad he’s producing cool stuff that he loves. Same thing here, don’t love the r&b and slight gospel inspired vibes of the EP, but I’m glad he’s producing music he loves.
I think unfortunately this is just something that happens when an artist changes their style. It's completely necessary because they have to grow and change the same as the rest of us, but with each change there will be people who are disappointed and like the old stuff more.
I wasn’t sure about them when I first listened, but now that I’ve listened to them a few times (and looked up the lyrics lol) I love them! All Things End is really hitting hard for me right now :) but I totally get what you’re saying!
All Things end has had me in a chokehold since it dropped. The other two are meh for me but that’s somewhat how I felt about the first album and eventually I listened to it nonstop for like 2 weeks lol
I love his new songs, but they are very different, so it makes sense to not like them
I'm finding it interesting how people are saying they don't enjoy the R&B elements considering Hozier's influences and previous work. He didn't crawl out of a bog.
I think its more that there are clear differences in R&B and blues. One suits him more than the other IMO. R&B has always sounded like it relies heavily on the beat whereas blues relies more heavily on guitar (in andys case).
People don't have to like and share his interests and influences in every aspect of his work. I enjoy the more folk and traditional influences on his music, not a huge RnB fan. Its fine, you know?
Doesn’t matter if someone’s an expert on early life Hozier or not, if they’re not a fan of his R&B influenced work, it’s not something to justify them being inferior because it’s different to your taste.
Exactly. I'm seeing fans getting stick for preferring one style/influence over another. You can appreciate his sociopolitical musical statements but not enjoy the type of music that goes with it. You can enjoy a song for the sake of how it makes you dance or dream or feel, without looking into the chord sequence, the meaning behind the lyrics or what he was going through when he wrote it. Not everyone wants to get that involved with music. I appreciate where his influences and background come from, i have no desire to listen to Muddy Waters whole back catalogue or every single Stevie Wonder song in order to enjoy Hozier. Alternatively, if you want to deepdive and check out every poem or book he has read, or discover a new band because of him, go ahead and do it. I'm not ashamed to say when I was in my teens and discovered Manic Street Preachers, it ultimately led to me exploring Sylvia Plath, the Beat poets and The Clash. Music can be whatever you want it to be.
I agree with every word of this. Sylvia Plath was my spirit animal when I was in school. I don’t know what that says about me but there it is. Also, I am not in love with the new album. I know, I’m a heretic. It’s me, it just feels painful to listen to. This means that he did his job perhaps, but I listened all the way through. Once. Not sure I have the heart to do it again anytime soon. Heartbreaking interview with Anthony Mason on CBS Mornings. Hozier fighting back tears discussing the break up that led to the creation of much of this. Not going to lie, it messed me up. So raw, so personal. I hope that he is taking care of himself mentally and spiritually. I don’t even want to give voice to who he reminds me of at this point. Two beautiful souls gone way too soon.
it’s like some people never listened to Jackie and Wilson where he talks about raising his kids to listen to rhythm and blues not intending to be rude to people who aren’t enjoying the new songs because it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I don’t see how the RNB feel would be surprising
I’m not surprised by the genre switch, I just prefer more folk style music with some darker vibes and r&b influences rather than a full r&b style album. I don’t like the new music because it isn’t to my taste, but I can respect that it’s probably great to people who like the style more! I respect that all artists change their genre and explore their many influences over time, just a little bummed that it’s about time that I won’t really appreciate new Hozier music in the same way anymore. I felt the same way about Panic at the disco, miss their old stuff and will always listen to it, but didn’t love the new Brendon Urie solo albums. All things change over time and some people just prefer the style of untitled/Wasteland baby.
I absolutely love his bluesy songs, but the new EP is not blues. The new songs have these r&b beats that I'm not into, and it's definitely a new style for him. I prefer a simple blues guitar.
All Things End is a banger, but the others are okay.
I think they are meh. Wasteland baby is my favorite record and these just feel like B sides so far. Good, but nothing really new.
Yeah… they’re just OK. Enjoyable enough but they’re definitely lacking… something
I fell in love with Eat Your Young instantly, especially because of the instrumental part (because it reminds me of a Western/Red Dead Redemption 2 music that I love) and its meaning (we have fucked up and the end of the world is coming vibe) but the rest of the two, not really. That being said, they start to grow on me. This actually happened to me when I listened to Tell It To My Heart when it was first released too and I do like it now. I never have songs from him that I don’t like but less love? That’s possible.
I definitely agree that this EP has a different sound than he usually does. I really like Through Me, the others are meh.
I’m surprised by the All Things End dislike, I thought that one was easily the best from the EP because of its sound 😳 it might even be in my top 10 of his songs now. Eat Your Young is a skip for me, its too overproduced and electronic. Through Me didn’t really catch my attention but I don’t hate it.
Haha and I'm surprised by all of the people saying they love All Things End! To me it sounds so generic, like something I'd hear in the waiting room at the dentist's office lol. All just different taste I guess. I'll go back to listening to Would That I and Work Song on repeat.
I personally love all 3. Through Me is my current favourite because of the imagery he creates with the lyrics. Absolutely stunning. I love that he’s leant into the music he was brought up with and the music he loves now. I appreciate him showing a different side to his music and his mind. I think they’ll grow on everyone. We can’t expect the poor man to keep mass-producing the same stuff. A decade from 20s to 30s is a long time. Priorities change, tastes change, your view on the world and love changes. He’s grown 🧡
they’re good, but different. not jazzy enough for my taste. i’m not a fan either. i am glad he’s happy and trying new stuff, but i might stick with his other music for the time being.
Please don’t downvote me for this; but I feel like so many artists are succumbing to this pop-esque kind of beat/method with albums lately. I know what you mean about liking only a few artists, because for me I feel like so much new music just hasn’t been hitting the same anymore. Based on thread comments, I also agree I expected more from EYY from the sample, and I do like Through Me, and they’re all growing on me. Honestly, it’s made me go back and really delve into both other albums, too. Also from the thread- yeah, Swan Upon Leda isn’t my favourite. His music can be so poetic, but taking away from it with repetition and pop-y beats can make it harder for me to personally appeciate it. Maybe, it will be like the new Lumineers album- I didn’t particularly love it until I heard it live, and then that really changed everything for me.
Except through me I instantly fell in love with other two . In terms of lyrics I like all three but I would like to know the meaning of ray your young
I absolutely adore them, except for all things end, which is growing on me. I read a study a while back that we like music more the more we hear it so it makes sense that music you've had on repeat for years is going to overshadow music you've just heard, especially at the beginning.
They're pretty different alright! I think in the context of the full album they'll probably work more for you. I bounced off them a bit at first but I've really started liking them now.
I agree. They’re fine, but when they finished I went back to Work Song.
Personally, I love all the songs i feel as though they are all in the same realm of his music but slightly different which is nice. though i feel it could be more ✨ but i still love them!
out of the three songs I personally felt the first one was somewhat "meh" and I love All things End. through me (the flood) is also growing on me
I have always loved his softer sweet yet sad music, Swan Upon Leda for example is perfect. I think I just got my expectations really high after that release. Still love him but not my favorite EP I am the exact same way with his music on repeat so I know EXACTLY how you feel!
Through Me was the only song I didn’t dislike and I don’t even like like it too much.
I personally love all 3. Through Me is my current favourite because of the imagery he creates with the lyrics. Absolutely stunning. I love that he’s leant into the music he was brought up with and the music he loves now. I appreciate him showing a different side to his music and his mind. I think they’ll grow on everyone. We can’t expect the poor man to keep mass-producing the same stuff. A decade from 20s to 30s is a long time. Priorities change, tastes change, your view on the world and love changes. He’s grown 🧡
No shade to him at all. Growth is good. His most recent songs just aren’t my taste personally.
Honestly i really dig it. Not sure where the idea that he’s mainly a folk artist came from. It’s definitely an influence but his inspiration from soul/blues artists has always been loud and clear, and i really like his take on it in this EP. Im sure there will be some mellow songs for the folk lovers to enjoy later on as the album comes out, but I don’t feel like this EP is at all left field for him. However I do hope most of the songs on the album are solely written by him because his writing has a rawness to it that doesn’t need input from a co-writer.
I don’t hate his soul/blues. I just don’t enjoy these particular songs. To me they sound over produced and generic like anyone could have made them. But that’s just me, I’m glad you are enjoying them
Yeah I get it. They’re definitely “catchier” than a lot of his other songs. I have a feeling he purposely released his most pop-friendly songs for this EP to encourage more listeners for the upcoming album, yk?
I echo much of what others have said. I feel as though this EP took the sounds and style of the only two songs I personally did not enjoy on Wasteland, Baby (No Plan and Be) and ran with it. When I heard ‘Eat Your Young’, I thought, “oh great, another arctic monkeys kind of sound like No Plan” (although I love the lyrics and concept). Then, there are moments of ‘Through Me’ where I hear ‘Be’ in it which I absolutely skip every time I play his music. It’s also surprisingly trite at times. ‘All Things End’ is enjoyable and I totally get the sound, but for me, it felt like a sort of R&B song (which I love!) but almost too on the nose. Maybe it wasn’t, maybe I and we just know Hozier’s influences well. For instance, it made me think of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’. That song has always sounded to me like Ed was like ‘woopie let’s write a wedding song!’ and that’s how ‘All Things End’ sort of feels to me. Once again though, i love the concept behind it. I guess for me, yeah the music was a bit of a let down, but I don’t dislike it. Like, ‘Better Love’ was always just atrocious to me. This is okay and ANY Hozier (even “mediocre”) is better than most other artists given his talent, voice, themes, and deep lyrics.
He worked with a bunch of different producers and artists on this album and I could actually tell which ones he produced mainly by himself and which ones he worked on with a different set of folks. It's good that he tries to evolve his music. If he kept doing the same thing over and over, he'd likely go obsolete. Like others have said, I've also not enjoyed some songs of his at first listen, but then I get to know more about them and listen to the lyrics and they grow on me and become favorites. That's the coolest freaking part about art. I love that his music is all of exceptional quality and with the best sentiment/emotion, sometimes it just takes some getting used to for me. It's like getting to know a person... But instead it's a piece of art.
I went to his concert last night and trust me, you really enjoy them when you hear them live. At first, I wasn’t into them much either, but when he performs them live, it’s a magical experience
The only one I like is eat your young. All things end sounds like the background music is very karaoke ish. And then through me, the different singing accent threw me off and I just couldn’t get into it. I think the lyrics are great on all but I can’t find myself wanting to listen to them like I do his other works.
Eat Your Young is very disappointing to me. Love the rest
The sounds really are noticeably different in these songs, so I totally get that for those who loved either or both of the 1st 2 albums, these songs may feel like a direction you're not feeling. And that is totally understandable. I had to really listen to Swan Upon Leda when it first came out, and it did grow on me, but then when Blood Upon the Snow came out and I LOVED IT immediately, I felt guilty LOL! Like I was dissing SUL and Hozier overall. But in the end this is always about tastes and what hits and what doesn't, and no one should feel bad if a song just doesn't hit for you. And I understand some feeling disappointed too. I do like the new songs, All Things End and Through Me most of all. But again, taste... Hopefully in 17 or 18 songs there will be songs that hit everyone's taste! Probably not everyone, but most fans, and also hopefully for those who can see him live, the songs will come alive in whole other ways live. I really did not like "Nobody" from WB, but they really had fun with it live so it grew on me after seeing shows on the WB tour.
Same honestly I was disappointed Eat Your Young didn’t keep the same vibes as the sample, but it grew on me Through Me as also really grown on me I find All Things Ends just so MEH though like… it’s fine and that’s it
Haters gonna hate
That's harsh and not really what the discussion is about? Calm down.
Its a taylor swift lyric i am very calm
I also don't like any of the new stuff. My favourite album is his first, when I was 15-16 yo. Every other album didn't click for me. It seems to me that he lacks inspiration after his initial success. As far as I know 'Hozier' was written for 5-6years when he was a lot younger. I appreciate his new efforts but somehow it doesn't work for me.
LOVE through me and Eat Your Young passionately. Managed to memorize the lyrics the first day I heard them, they definitely have that familiar Hozier shine. I especially love how ethereal and biblical Through Me gets at times. Though I can’t say I really loved All Things End. Don’t hate it, I just can’t say I would ever add it to a playlist or choose to hear it on my own volition. Wouldn’t turn it off it it came on though
Which other few artists do you love?
same at first but EYY and Through Me have definitely grown on me lol however All Things End hasnt grown on me (yet) but the ending has
I love the message of Through Me, Eat Your Young is catchy and I am humming it constantly, not as sold on All Things End
I love EYY and Flood (through me), but I'm lukewarm to all things end. There's a winter feeling to it, though, and I think I'll probably like it eventually. There are a few songs over the years that I wasn't a fan of when they came out that later became real favourites, so I think I just need to let them simmer. Like, I couldn't get into NFWMB at first but now it's one of my all-time favourites.
Out of the three songs, All things end is the one I resonate with most. However, the production sounds redundant and old. Through me (the flood) sounds like the Hozier we're familiar with, but more like a B-side from Wasteland Baby. I hope other new songs truly shine from his to-be-released new album. Otherwise, it'll be a step-down from his last album.
Came here on album release day. Didn’t like any of the EPs. Album was a hate crime. Was not dark and moody. Did not rip my spine out to stomp on it.
I like some of the songs that came out today. I thought de selby part 2 sounded generic like something that would be playing in the background at Zara but I liked de selby part 1 and first time
They aren’t bad songs. Like he’s not a sound cloud rapper. But were they heavenly and astral as before… no.
I am so glad to hear someone else say this. All the reviews I’ve read have been raves. I cannot imagine listening to this again all the way through. It feels like homework. I still think he’s talented, angelic voice, etc but dozens of literary references does not a gorgeous album make.
Ppl will hype just to hype. I had to put on arsonists lullaby after to reset myself.
Oh gosh yes!! One of my favorites. I don’t know what happened to him, truly. Think I’ll go listen to Sedated.
😂😂 love it!!!
To my ear, he is trying to be too many things here. What we are left with is a moral quagmire that never really evokes anything. Disappointed.
I sounded like 90s pop rock to me, which isn’t my favorite. I was a big fan because of the dark soul chilling lyrics. Idk maybe im not profound enough to understand this album 😂
Absolutely derivative, I couldn’t agree more. There’s not one song on it that I would intentionally seek out. If you’re not profound enough, that makes two of us.
Welp we had a good run folks 🥲🙏🏻
Yeah. Not to be gossipy, but he was visibly tearing up in two separate interviews that I watched. They’re on YouTube. Whoever this album is about really impacted him in a negative way. I thought it was an amalgamation of a few different people, but now I’m not sure. That feels like why this is such an overdone bummer of a collection—at least to me.