Hozier – Wasteland, Baby!
hello all! finally back from my break, it’s time to continue our review of Hozier’s discography with his 2019 record, Wasteland, Baby!
i think, ultimately, i feel kinda mixed about Wasteland, Baby!
i talked a bit in the previous album about feeling like there was kinda two types of Hozier tracks on that record, and i think theres a much stronger synthesis of the two styles on this album, but i did still find runs of tracks i was less fond of. i will admit it took me a sec to warm up to Nina Cried Power, which features some really good guest vocals from Mavis Staples, but the track is very very moving and incredibly effective. the record then moves into a few much mellower, more casual songs.
No Plan, however, is the absolute star of the record for me. i love the light guitar intro that snaps into the heavy distortion, i find the religious imagery here really compelled stacked against some scientific sorta nihilism, and i really really love the chorus.
there are a few other tracks that left an impact – Almost (Sweet Music) is really tender and nice, Nobody has a really, really catchy chorus, and To Noise Making (Sing) had a really phenomenal message. i also REALLY liked the run of Talk, Be, and Dinner & Diatribes – really hit the tonal vibes i was looking for from this record.
i do like the closer and title track, …Wasteland, Baby!, a lot, as well. different vibes but a very strong way to bring eveything together.
a lot to like here, for sure – Hozier’s performances are incredibly varied across the record, the lyrical content has some absolute gems, and there’s some phenomenal instrumentals throughout – but i feel like the whole picture didnt come together quite right for me. i can feel bits and pieces pulling together, so maybe its something ill have to come back to. much to consider.
faves – Nina Cried Power, Almost (Sweet Music), No Plan, To Noise Making (Sing), Dinner & Diatribes
dislikes –
Wasteland, Baby – 6/10
next up, the last review in this series, it’s his most recent record, Unreal, Unearth!
first and previous: Hozier | next: Unreal, Unearth
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