Hozier - HOZIER

Personnel: Andrew Hozier-Byrne (vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer); Kate Ellis (cello). Audio Mixer: Andrew Scheps. Recording information: Cauldron Studio; Dublin; Exchequer; Greystones; Westland Studio; Wicklow. Director: Niall Muckian. The recipient of much hype and praise for his breakthrough single "Take Me to Church," Ireland's Hozier does plenty to back it up on his self-titled debut LP. A soulful voice and a brooding mystique can get you a long way but fortunately, most of the material here is well-written enough to warrant a deeper look at the young artist many have labeled an old soul. Like fellow Irishman Van Morrison did decades before, Hozier (Andrew Hozier-Byrne) draws on the soul and R&B of Jackie Wilson and runs it through the mystery white-boy filter of Jeff Buckley, adding a touch of Bon Iver's rural indie aesthetic to mix into his own dark cocktail. Moodcraft and vibe are where Hozier is at his most effective and he hits his mark on the eerie, midnight-hour b