Music Critic Atshiga Bonvin reviews Hozier’s latest EP
On the 22nd of March 2024, the Irish Singer-Songwriter, Hozier, crept out of his forest dwelling to surprise fans with his Unheard EP. Following on from Unreal Unearth, this is a small collection of songs that didn’t make it into the initial album which tracks the journey through Dante’s Nine Circles of Hell. Whilst these four tracks are rejected from the Nine Circles, they instead form a neat unit, encapsulating all things Hozier, with his earthly sensual yet melancholic sounds.
‘Too Sweet’:
The EP launches the listener into the depths of gluttony with its sexy first track, ‘Too Sweet’. Following on from the sensual De Selby Pt 2, its low tones and strong bassline convey a seductive darkness the persona revels in.
Social media has taken quickly to this track, with its punchy chorus and Hozier’s sensual performance making it perfect for the average TikTok thirst trap. As a rejection song, this is new from the artist who sings of utmost devotion and yearning, as the persona sings ‘you’re too sweet for me.’
Whiskey on the rocks, cigarette embers flickering on an ash tray, this bluesy tune is rhythmic; it is hard to sit still when ‘Too Sweet’ comes on. Its alt rock vibes and darkness are reminiscent of Wasteland, Baby!.
Favourite lyrics: ‘you treat your mouth as if it’s Heaven’s gates,’ & ‘you’re bright as the morning, as soft as the rain.’
Rating: 9/10
‘Wildflower and Barley’:
Sense Spring; the hypnotic twittering of birds, the brushing of grass at your ankles, the honey sweetness of snowdrops, lemon cordial lingering on your tongue. This is ‘Wildflower and Barley’.
Featuring musician and activist, Allison Russel, the EP takes a rural folk and country turn with this track. For Limbo, this is the embodiment of Spring with its embrace of Mother Nature. Both voices melt together like butter on warm toast. Listen as the sun graces your skin, fingers digging into the soft ground.
The soft melody is romantic and quaint, translating the outstretched time of Limbo
The soft melody is romantic and quaint, translating the outstretched time of Limbo. There is even a sneaky reference to the previous album title, ‘I feel as useful as dirt, unreal unearth.’
The harmonious voices retract, leaving the listener in the Spring fields once again with the soft whistling of birds, left amongst the abundance of ‘Wildflower and Barley’.
Favourite lyrics: ‘the sun hesitates more on each evening’s darkening, would all things God allows, remain above ground?’ & ‘like grief and sweet memory, wildflower and barley.’
Rating: 7/10
‘Empire Now’:
The EP yet again takes a complete turn in genre. Hozier pulls the listener out of the pastoral fields and plonks us into a spaghetti western as the twangy and cinematic ‘Empire Now’ begins. An electric embodiment of rebellion, this track celebrates Irish independence, ‘one hundred years from the empire now.’
It follows on from the Irish sounds that thread through Unreal Unearth, such as ‘Butchered Tongue’ which sings on the British colonialism of Gaelige. However, where ‘Butchered Tongue’ is melancholic and resentful, ‘Empire Now’ is defiant. Echoes of Imagine Dragons travel amongst the powerful beat. It is an anthem, ideal for a main character exit. Play as you exit a burning building, walking over the corpses of enemies.
Favourite lyrics: ‘the future’s so bright it’s burning,’ & ‘after all, darlin’, i wouldn’t sell the world/ the way that things are turnin’’
Rating: 6.5/10
Fare Well:
The energy of ‘Empire Now’ dissipates as the final track of the Unheard EP begins. With this song, Hozier returns to the softer sounds of the Unreal Unearth album with its folk and blues influences. Springtime in Ireland is this track.
The folky guitar strumming conveys a strong rural environment; ideal for a jig with friends as marshmallows burn on the campfire
‘Fare Well’ revels in the Irish clapping beat present in ‘Anything But’ but lacks in its jig like joy. This track continues the duality of Unreal Unearth; upbeat and fun with melancholic lyrics. It seems the weaker companion of ‘Abstract (Psychopomp)’ which similarly includes ill-fated animals in its lyrics, an interesting coincidence. The folky guitar strumming conveys a strong rural environment; ideal for a jig with friends as marshmallows burn on the campfire. The EP ends with the sounds of Ireland, but it lacks the finality of Hozier’s preceding album which leaves the listener with the triumphant track, First Light. Instead, this repetitive song is mellow and somewhat forgettable.
‘Fare well’, he says to his loving fans, as the singer retreats to the bog.
Favourite lyrics: ‘any solitary pleasure that was sorrow in disguise,’ & ‘let the sun only shine on me through a falling sky.’
Rating: 7/10
At only 13 minutes, there is little to lose with this short and most definitely sweet EP. It is not his strongest collection of songs, and so works well as an extra component to the album rather than included within, a sexy surprise for avid fans who were left craving more.
Rating: 7/10
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