EP REVIEW - Hozier’s “Unaired”
Brianna Belt - @brianna.belt
On August 22nd, amid his Unreal Unearth tour, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier released yet another breathtaking collection of folk-rock music on his new EP Unaired.
After the release of his third studio album, Unreal Unearth, just last August, it's a blessing to fans that Hozier has released two EPs this year. Too Sweet off the Unheard EP earned Hozier his first No.1 Hot 100 single since 2014’s Take Me to Church and while Unaired has some mighty big shoes to fill, each track has its unique charm and emotional depth that fans of all degrees are sure to resonate with.
Right photo via Ruth Medjber (@ruthlessimagery)
Unaired: A Review
Track I - Nobody’s Soldier
Unaired's opening track, Nobody's Soldier, is an upbeat and dominating song that combines elements of disobedience with deciding one's path in life. The song is filled with a mix of guitar and horns that creates a compelling anthem while the overlying theme of the song is Hozier firmly refusing to follow anyone else's commands. His vocals are low at the beginning of the song but build up during the chorus into what can be described as a powerful bellow.
Hozier is no stranger to speaking out about political issues, such as the War on Gaza. On August 9th, I attended the Unreal Unearth Tour in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Hozier took the time to encourage attendees to reach out to their current representatives about a ceasefire in Palestine. Knowing Hozier and his stances on modern warfare makes the themes of Nobody's Soldier even more evident. Lyrics such as "If I tell you this is drowning, you'll tell me this is walking on water" stand out to me due to their underlying political analogies. This lyric, in particular, alludes to society or the government convincing those in dire need that they are simply exaggerating, which is a prevalent problem in today's political climate.
Nobody's Soldier truly encapsulates the attraction to Hozier and his work. While the storyline or message of the song may be more profound than the surface shows it to be, the instrumentals and lyrics are enthralling enough that anyone can enjoy it. We are reminded that it is our duty to be our most authentic form of ourselves by standing up for what we believe in and not caving into the demands of society or anyone else.
Track II - July
The EP's next track, July, has a very different tone, lyrically and musically, than Nobody's Soldier. July showcases Hozier's beautiful storytelling skills with folk and indie influences as well as hints of jazz, reminiscent of some of his earlier romantic tunes, such as From Eden. The instrumentals are soft and whimsical, effortlessly backing up the tune's charming lyrics and his soft vocals.
July makes me want to hold on to the greater things in life. The song can be interpreted as holding on to the future or a significant other. Sometimes, that one person comes into your life, a lover or a friend, that makes things worth the hardship and effort of life and work's trials and tribulations. Most importantly, this song emphasizes that sometimes, even after your hard work, life doesn't go the way you planned. Despite this, there are still things to look forward to, such as July.
I find I connect with this song on an emotional level. I get super hyper-fixated on my job, school, and every other little aspect of my life. I often forget that all of these things are tiny puzzle pieces in the grand scheme of things, and it's important to remember there is always something to look forward to, whether it be a concert or simply the next time you see a friend. I'm blessed to be alive at the same time as a songwriter who is able to evoke such emotion in me and millions of others around the globe.
Track III - That You Are Ft. Bedouine
That You Are is a short song lyrically, but this doesn't mean you should undermine the emotion Hozier has managed to weave into each line. Instrumentally, the song is slow. An acoustic guitar introduces us to the song, setting the overall tone.
Once again, Hozier's voice is soft and sweet. The lyrics describe two lovers who would do anything to be with one another; the lyrics "That I'd be anywhere that you are" help emphasize this notion.
When Bedouine, the guest artist on this track, begins to sing, we are introduced to a part of love that is rarely talked about. The lyrics "maybe I have yet to venture out, see the places that I hear about" and "leave the door ajar" allude that Bedouine feels this relationship is holding her back and isn't able to pursue her life as she wishes, and she is possibly thinking of leaving the relationship.
The lyricism throughout That You Are illustrates two separate points of view from one relationship, working together to tell the story of a relatable one. Hozier has, again, created a beautiful yet haunting love song that is bound to be relatable no matter which side you may be on.
Hozier has once again created an EP that is heartbreaking, inspiring, and heartfelt all in one. I find that to be the best part of Hozier’s music, he possesses the talent to take you through an emotional roller coaster no matter how upbeat or acoustic the song may be. I’m amazed by his work and I’m eager to see what he creates next.
