by The Cowl Editor on September 13, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by: Brigid Walshe ’19 A&E Staff
After a brief hiatus, Hozier is back and seemingly better than ever. The Irish musician just released his first EP in over three years; to fans and critics it was worth the wait. The EP, entitled Nina Cried Power-EP, features four new songs: “Nina Cried Power,” “NFWMB,” “Moment’s Silence (Common Tongue),” and “Shrike.”
While his music is classified as traditional folk rock, Hozier really turned to the blues for this EP, specifically drawing in the soulful, spiritual vibes of the black experience in America. In an interview with Billboard, Hozier explained that this EP was all about “crediting the legacy and the result of protest.”
The title track, “Nina Cried Power,” features Mavis Staples, who is regarded as one of the greatest gospel and blues singers of all time, as well as a prominent civil rights activist. This gospel-inspired track is an ode to some of his inspirations, such as Mavis Staples, Marvin Gaye, and Nina Simone, of whom the title track is named after.
To listen is to feel uplifted, empowered, and hopeful. Hozier stated that he is not concerned with how this new EP performs on the charts but that the record is heard, hoping to have the chance to perform his new music on the road in the next couple of months.
Hozier will be celebrating the release of his EP with some live performances in Europe, followed by a North American tour. He gave some lucky fans an inside look to his new music at The Academy Dublin in Ireland, and will play one more show in London before he departs for his North American tour. Hozier will start the North American leg of his tour in Ottawa, Canada on Sept. 15, and will continue until the end of October.
Hozier will be in Boston’s House of Blues on Monday, October 1. His new music will leave you feeling inspired and empowered, and will make you fall in love with him all over again.