Like most people, I was first introduced to Hozier when I heard his single Take Me To Church, an emotionally heavy tune that plays with the ideas of sin and love. Like quite a few artists I listen to, I wasn’t initially drawn in by Take Me To Church, although I did appreciate that he used a same sex couple in the music video. His self-titled album, Hozier, has been out since September of 2014; however, I had not been exposed to it until this past summer when I was working at Camp Unalayee, a backpacking camp for kids. Several of my co-counsellors were obsessed with The Work Song, a beautiful love song that’s filled with low humming and Hozier’s sweet voice over deep piano chords that give me shivers every time.
After hearing The Work Song I knew that I had to listen to the whole album. It wasn’t until later in July when my boyfriend, two of our co-counsellors, and I came home to surprise my parents that I had the opportunity to listen to all of Hozier. My boyfriend and I were sleeping in a tent in my backyard and while he was out doing other things I brought my computer out with me and snuggled into my sleeping bag. After I listened to the album I was not totally blown away. I was aware that most of the songs sounded very similar to one another, but that didn’t stop me from liking it. Every time I had the chance to listen to Hozier I took it, and I am now a happy Hozier fan. My top favorite songs on the album being The Work Song, In A Week (an enchanting song about death), and Cherry Wine (to this day I still have no idea what the hell he is saying but I love the guitar and the sound of the whole song).
Born in Bray, County Wicklow, Andrew Hozier-Bryne, is the son of a local blues musician and began studying music at Trinity College in Dublin but dropped out during his first year to record demos for Universal Music. While he attended Trinity he became a member of the chorale ensemble Anúna and toured internationally with the group from 2007 to 2012. Hozier released his first EP Take Me to Church in 2013. The EP also included Like Real People do, Angel of Small Death and The Codeine Scene as well as a live version of Cherry wine. When Hozier was released it reached number one in Ireland, number three in the UK, and number two in the US. I have not heard word of any new projects that he may be planning but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more.
Although Hozier’s music may sound all the same, it has a good blues vibe to it and is full of good beats as well as lyrics. I look forward to hearing more from him and I hope to see him live in the near future.
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Autumn Micketti 
I love the rich tonality in his voice! It reaches into my soul and shakes my core!