Irish lad, Hozier, has returned with his second album Wasteland, Baby! after nearly a five year gap between his debut self-titled album. Bringing forth his bluesy indie rock sound that we’ve become familiar with ever since his massive hit, Take Me To Church, graced our airwaves. Waiting the five year long gap between albums is probably a smart idea, free of high set expectations but still relevant enough to be heard. As always with young artists the second album can always break you.
It seems on this album, Hozier is doing a lot more soul searching and looking further within to understand his own shortcomings. Like on the title track and Shrike he owns up to being unable to express his love to others. There is also some truth-telling themes throughout the album and some commentating on world issues with protest song Nina Cried Power. Stand out track for me is Movement, a very powerful vocal focused performance that is absolutely breathtaking.
Unfortunately the second half of the album slows down as Hozier explores more of his blues and soul roots and you just get a lot more of the same. There are definitely great moments through out but I feel like the young musician will forever be burdened by the success of Take Me To Church where the very idea of the song trickles through his work, with its grandiose choir like traits.
Overall it’s a fair effort for a second album that definitely shows signs of maturity and growth. It feels more like a transitional phase for Hozier where he needs to find the balance between his many influences that can appeal to a larger audience.
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