Steven, I’ve been a subscriber for at least a couple of years and I’ve been waiting for you to continue your Hozier journey ever since I watched you fall in love with his music during your reaction to his first album (I’ve gone back to your old Hozier reactions several times now). I’m SO happy you’re back on the Hozier journey and I’m grateful for all your hard work in getting these reactions out. I did just want to address something….you are WAY too hard on yourself when it comes to lyric interpretation. Firstly, I think you consistently do a fantastic job at interpreting lyrics, ESPECIALLY on the first listen, and ESPECIALLY without actually reading the lyrics (which is a decision I respect). Also, if I wanted to watch someone do an in depth deep dive into the complex lyrical metaphors of an artist like Hozier, I would go watch a video about that. You are doing great. You pick up more on your first listens than many reactors do and, especially with artists like Hozier, where it can take a few listens (or more) to really get everything he’s saying, you do an incredible job with the lyrics, while also paying attention to the instrumentation, vocals, production, AND letting yourself vibe and FEEL the music. I just wanted to say this because you are NOT getting things wrong. You’re doing fantastically. Also, while Hozier does write from specific perspectives, he is absolutely NOT the kind of artist, or person, that would want to pigeonhole anyone into a “right” or “wrong” interpretation of his songs. I think, above all, he wants to make people FEEL (as do most good artists). I know that most people, including myself, are here to watch you, Steven, a kind, empathetic, funny, open minded, open hearted person who is remarkably passionate about music, react to our favourite artists in an authentic way, and that’s exactly what you do. So, basically, you’re doing awesome. I hope you know that. ❤❤❤ Sorry for the novel. 😂
you really don’t realize how much this just reignited my love for all of this. i spend so much time before i press that record button sometimes because i feel so stupid and part of that is just being your own worst critic. but being over self aware doesn’t help. But when i see a message like this, literally speaking directly to my soul, it is one of the most amazing feelings. so thank you for this. you have no idea how much this means.
@@StevenInStereo Aww this made my day! I have chronic mental and physical health issues, as well as chronic pain and your channel is one that I go to in really bad times to just escape and share my love of music with someone who I feel is a genuinely good person. You’ve helped me more times than you know so I’m super glad I could return the favour at least a little bit. Thanks for all your hard work, your willingness to be vulnerable, and for taking the time to write such a lovely reply. Take care. ❤❤❤
Just teared up a wee lil bit bc I fully agree with this comment and it's so wholesome to see this interaction!! Keep at it Steven, I also really appreciate the hard work that goes into your channel :)
LMAO “I don’t know if this has been done but I want to hear Florence Welch & Hozier on a track together.” The fans have been asking for this d from day 1 - I love that it’s so obvious to you too.
this album has such a special place in my heart!!! i love that you seemed to appreciate it as much as we do. also as a warning for unreal unearth (if you haven't filmed it yet), it's quite lyric-heavy and i highly recommend looking up the meanings to each song after listening. the meanings, as individual songs and as part of the dante's inferno storyline, add SO much even if you aren't necessarily a lyric person
YES OH MY GOD IM CRYING I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS REACXTION OF YOURS FOR OVER A YEAR I HAVE BEGGED UNDER YOUR FIRST HOZIER REACTION LIKE 3 TIMES THANK YOU SO MUCH STEVEN
"I'd be the last shred of truth in the lost myth of true love" is one of my favorite Hozier lyrics, bar none. There's something almost painfully romantic about it.
I have never clicked on a video so fast! Thank you for going back and giving this album the attention it deserves. Missed you doing Hozier and his live performances so much!!
so excited bc this means unreal unearth is next! its my favorite album of his little tip: search a bit about what the album is about, it makes the story extremely more profound and deep. loving these reactions!
I'm so glad about the Be appreciation because it took me so long to get into this song and when it hit me it HIT ME and i've been in love with it for months now
I love how much you are geeking out over the use of vocals in this album. Hozier talked about how much he loves to use the voice as instrumentation as well as any part of the body, hence the claps and snaps being a big part of a lot of songs. ❤️🔥
I know you love vibing with the music it’s self. But I love just listening to his voice and lyrics they are amazing, sometimes they have multiple meanings too. I love his music so much. Side note my friend likes to say yearning has never had as much meaning as Hozier when writes.
I’m the same when it comes to lyrics. When I listen to music for the first time, I just like to sit back and grasp whatever comes at me, whether it’s production, vocals or lyrics. Only after the first few listens is when I’ll pull up the lyrics. I think it’s a disservice to only focus on the lyrics when music is about multiple elements.
Yay, can’t wait for the next Hozier album! Unreal Unearth is probably my favorite album ever, I can’t describe the things it makes me feel, Hozier is a master lyricist as well as singer 🥰 Love your reactions btw!
I'm so happy you got to listen to another Hozier album!! I've rewatched your reaction to his first album so much! And yess exactly, Wasteland, Baby! was such an important album for me during the pandemic. At some point I could only fall asleep listening to the title track. (Also I agree with you on the production side of that, I would listen to live recordings haha). Thank you so much for these videos! And I love your interpretation of the lyrics! I always listen to these albums without lyrics first to be able to focus on "feeling". Yes, I will read the lyrics over and over afterwards cause I'm such a fan of his lyricism, but ultimately the feeling you get after listening to the album it's the most striking thing about Hozier's music. Oh! Also I'm so glad you like To Noise Making (Sing) cause a lot of people think it's too cheesy but I'm with you, it has such an important message and people would be happier if they remembered it more often. I'm so excited to see an Unreal Unearth album reaction!!!
Something to add about almost- it definitely comes across as about a person/ getting over a relationship and I LOVE the way he wrote this to sound like that, but I’ve also heard people say it’s not only that but also a reference to the music that inspired him (there’s a lot of references throughout) and his own musical creations. So when he says “I’m almost me again, she’s almost you” it’s like saying he’s finding himself again and at the same time- he’s happy with his music (she) and it almost feels to him the way the music he loves and grew up on (you) feels. Which to me is really cool and such a beautiful way of describing that feeling of really starting to appreciate your own work Edit: but it’s definitely also bittersweet because it IS called almost. To me it comes across optimistic, but on the other side of that, almost also means always feeling like you’re falling short. So it’s also definitely partly like- he feels like he’ll never be at that level of other music and other artists he loves. Definitely a lot of layers to it- definitely one of my favorite hozier songs
there are a few songs from his ep's that didn't make it on the albums, swan upon leda, through me (the flood) and the acoustic version of be, I can HIGHLY recommend! :)
So glad you got to react to this one! I watched your reaction to his self-titled album back when you first released it and absolutely loved it; always appreciate your reactions and enjoy how much you enjoy the music. Excited for the eventual Unreal Unearth reaction :)
Love your reaction and insight. Hozier's music is so satisfying. As note follows note, word follows word, the flow and meaning washes over and fills my soul. I think you are going to be blown away by Unreal Unearth when you listen to it. I look forward to that reaction. Keep up the great work!
Love this reaction! You are really insightful and crazy good in the lyrics deciphering (especially on your first listen and without looking it up). Love the different outcomes you get out of the songs, the completely different perspective (that's the depth of Hozier lyrics). I would like to request/recommend that you listen to the Wasteland Baby Special Edition songs, Moments Silence (Common Tongue) (my favourite song), NFWMB (I would say, kind of a companion song to Would That I), why Would You Be Loved (a recent release with the special edition, and absolute banger) and Be (Acoustic) (almost completely different song, sort of earlier version, definitely a must listen).
OH man I was waiting for your reaction to wasteland baby! That was great as usual. I didn’t like the album first time I listened to it but it started to grow on me after third time I listened to it :))
Talk is my favourite song off the album! Hozier talked about its meaning in an interview, basically he’s mocking guys that try to impress women by referencing poetry and mythology but don’t have the purest intentions, that’s why the lyrics go “I try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I’m imagining you”. The best part is that Hozier himself was only in college for a brief time, so the myth of Orpheus that he references in the song is really the only myth he learned about there 😅
I can't wait until Aug when I finally get to see him live!! You should watch the video for Dinner and Diatribes, even if you don't do a reaction. All I will say is not stunt man or CGI. Also it's not about abuse, it's about having dinner with uppity people and looking forward to the promised "reward" from the SO later for dealing with those people for/with her.
I’m so happy you love this album!! You’re one of my absolute favorite Hozier reactors because you appreciate the ART and I just love how much it speaks to you! Your insight was spot on! Essentially this album is a concept album about love at the end of the world. I really think he’s one of the best to ever do it. Unreal Unearth is gonna blow your mind and I am so excited to see what you think! PS he just released a five year anniversary version of this album that includes a few bonus tracks, including Be- Acoustic!
almost (sweet music) as well as being a love song is also what it says on the tin and homage to his inspiration and kinda lamenting that he doesn't feel like he can write songs the same way because as well as the lines abt duke ellington's lovers there are a bunch of song titles hidden in the song, foolish,heart paper moon etc i think genius has at least most of them if your curious abt it
Your assessments were pretty spot on! He’s normally somewhat poetic with his lyrics but this album is pretty straightforward. Talk is definitely a sexy song about seduction, As It Was is about returning to an old flame (and according to Hozier it’s connected to Nobody and It Will Come Back from his debut album), etc.
People are still sleeping on Hozier…even tho the album has been out for a while this reaction should be pulling way more views. Hozier is such an incredible artist!!
Dinner and diatribes is an incredibly spicy song btw, the way I understand its meaning is when you’re going to dinner/social event with your partner where you’re around other people, and you can’t wait to be alone with them so that you can finally do stuff with them;) Especially the lyrics “Now that the evening is slowing Now that the end is in sight Honey, it’s easier knowing What you’ll do to me tonight”
If you loved Wasteland, Baby! you should totally do a reaction to Unreal Unearth (Hozier's album from 2023)! It's (sorta) a concept album based on Dante's Inferno and the 9 circles of hell. I think Hozier really does manages to make the listener feel like they're going through the journey (descension, the circles, ascension) with him. Kinda like in WB, it sets a scene and walks you through it. Totally recommended! Great video btw! I liked your explanations and interpretations on the lyrics, and how you took the overall message of the album. Your insight was really interesting to listen to!
If you have any opportunity to see him live I can confidently say do it. I've been twice and liking him as much as you clearly do, you will have an amazing time!
FINALLY! Just wanted to let you know in case you didn’t know: Hozier grew up in a very religious Catholic household, but has religious trauma and has since left the church. That is why he has alot of religious elements in his music. It’s a part of him and his upbringing❤️
That's actually not accurate, he probably has religious trauma once removed. His parents were raised Catholic & he said that experience made them decide to raise their children as Quakers. So his parents probably had religious trauma that they tried to shield their children from. Quakers are a very egalitarian & open minded offshoot of Christianity. He talks about being raised Quaker in a show called Skavlan.
