Featured photo by Hozier
Story by Victoria Stone
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The highly anticipated EP “Unheard” by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier was officially released March 21. The EP features 4 songs including, “Too Sweet,” “Wildflower and Barley,” “Empire Now” and “Fare Well.”
The EP was released to promote Hozier’s Unearth Unreal tour, the name of his album from 2023.
Hozier was born Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, on March 17,1990 in Bray, Ireland. His music picks and blends music from genres such as soul, blues and folk for an indie/alternative sound. His breakout hit ”Take me to Church” was written in 2013 and in 2015 it won Song of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
He found even more success with his second album “Wasteland, Baby!” In 2019 it certified silver in the United Kingdom and gold in the United States.
A week before the EP’s release Hozier teased a one minute preview of the first song on the EP, “Too Sweet.” TikTokers were quick to gush, analyze and make trends of the clip of the
unreleased song. Several have theorized the song alludes to the Greek god Dionysus based on Hozier’s previous songs alluding to mythology. Other theories include a rejection song, lifestyles not mixing and not being good enough for a girl.
However, I believe the best interpretation of the song is the trend of women pouring whiskey in regular clothes before transitioning to drinking coffee on their beds in lingerie.
“Too Sweet,” is undoubtedly the most viral song of the EP but it’s not the only song to be
released. “Wildflower and Barley,” features Canadian singer- songwriter Allison Russell who will be touring with Hozier on his upcoming tour. You may recognize her name from the controversy surrounding Tennessee lawmaker’s blocking a resolution honoring her.
In an interview with CBS the singer said, “Unfortunately, there’s a pattern of behavior that’s pretty blatant,” Russell said. “Whether their issue with me is that I’m Black, or that I’m queer, or that I’m an immigrant to the U.S, I don’t know. Maybe none of the above, but one can speculate that has something to do with it.”
Despite the lack of recognition by Tennessee lawmakers, she and Hozier have recorded a
hauntingly beautiful duet that observes depression and work during Covid.
Track 3 is the shortest on the EP. “Empire Now” is an optimistic song, despite the state of the world at the current moment he has optimism for 100 years from now. The last track, “Fare Well,” details the pains of depression and drug use with a double meaning that farewell wouldn’t do good, meaning goodbye.
Overall, the EP features four songs that capture the sound of Hozier and his space within the music industry. It’s sure to be another success for the award-winning musician.
Unheard is now streaming on all major music platforms.
To contact Lifestyles Editor Destiny Mizell and Assistant Lifestyles Editor Shamani Salahuddin, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com. For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, or follow us on Instagram at MTSUSidelines or on X at @MTSUSidelines.
