News: Hozier To Release Self-Titled Debut Album This October
3 min read
(UK) Irish musician Hozier will release his self-titled debut album on Columbia Records on October 7. Following up his two EPs Take Me To Church and From Eden, he co- produced the new album with Ron Kirwan (PJ Harvey and Depeche Mode). The album is available for pre-order now here. Fans who pre-order the album today will receive four instant grat downloads: “Take Me To Church,” “From Eden,” “Work Song,” and Cherry Wine.”
After a string of electrifying performances including TV appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hozier will return stateside when he launches his first national headline tour this fall on September 29 in Nashville, TN. The tour crisscrosses the country with a number of sold out dates before wrapping up with two sold out shows in New York City on November 5 and 6.
The 24-year-old Wicklow, Ireland native recently performed at the Newport Folk Festival to rave reviews. NPR’s Tiny Desk said of his performance, “Gently bone rattling voice, winning a new audience one beautifully sung phrase at a time.” Billboard remarked, “Folk Festival attendees were treated to a sneak preview of Irish wunderkind Hozier’s impassioned, richly-textured invocations at Saturday afternoon’s For Pete’s Sake…”Take Me To Church” was the real draw. People literally came running as soon as they heard the opening strains of that song.” “Hozier drew a massive crowd, earning big applause…Hozier had better get used to it because in his bluesy songs he packs a wallop,” said Country Standard Time. Before beginning his national tour in the fall, Hozier will perform at Lollapalooza this weekend.
Tastemakers and critics have wholeheartedly embraced his spirited and soulful sound. He’s drawn praise from NPR, New York Magazine, KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, MTV Buzzworthy,Consequence of Sound, and more. Most recently he was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and Tiny Desk Concert. His invigorating performances of his single “Take Me To Church” on The Late Show With David Letterman and The Ellen DeGeneres Show engaged a growing audience.
The powerful single for “Take Me To Church” has accrued over 5 million views on YouTube, hitting #1 on Hype Machine as well as Billboard’s Top New Artist Heatseekers Chart. He has also remained a constant on Spotify’s Viral 50 chart. AAA radio has been championing it led by Sirius XM, WXRV/Boston, WRLT/Nashville, WRNR/Baltimore and more. Spins increase on a weekly basis and the song is currently #2 at AAA and in the Top 20 at Alternative Radio. Philadelphia’s WXPN showed early support and selected “Take Me To Church” as their Gotta Hear Song of the Week and My Morning Download. Los Angeles’ KCRW, called him one of their Bands to Bank On for 2014 and also had him record a session on their Morning Becomes Eclectic program.
Both EPs, Take me To Church and From Eden, as well as their respective singles hit #1 on the iTunes chart in Ireland. In the UK he’s received great radio support on tastemaker shows on Radio 1, 6 Music, and XFM, and he was featured in the Sunday Times Culture’s “Breaking Artist” section.
