Top tracks — play these first
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Nina Cried Power — This track serves as a powerful tribute to artists who have used their voices for social justice, blending gospel influences with Hozier's signature sound.
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Movement — The song showcases Hozier's emotive vocal delivery and intricate instrumentation, capturing the essence of physical connection and longing.
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Almost (Sweet Music) — In this nostalgic ode to the power of music, Hozier reflects on how songs shape our memories and experiences, blending upbeat melodies with reflective lyrics.
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Nobody — This track stands out for its haunting exploration of loneliness in a crowded world, marrying a catchy melody with profound existential themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Hozier's sophomore effort showcases strong songwriting and diverse instrumentation, though it has some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a powerful collaboration featuring spoken word elements, setting a tone of social consciousness.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that build intensity, particularly in the choruses.
- The instrumentation varies significantly across tracks, with some featuring minimal arrangements while others include rich orchestration and rhythmic complexity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
- dynamic emotional journeys
- immersive listening sessions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Wasteland, Baby! is Hozier's sophomore album, following his acclaimed self-titled debut in 2014. By 2019, he had established himself as a significant voice in contemporary music, using this album to further explore themes of love, loss, and social issues.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leon Bridges· Ben Howard· James Vincent McMorrow
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Nina Cried Power 3:45
- 2 Almost (Sweet Music) 3:37
- 3 Movement 3:57
- 4 No Plan 5:31
- 5 Nobody 3:30
- 6 To Noise Making (Sing) 3:26
- 7 As It Was 3:27
- 8 Shrike 4:58
- 9 Talk 3:26
- 10 Be 4:49
- 11 Dinner & Diatribes 3:44
- 12 Would That I 4:28
- 13 Sunlight 4:17
- 14 Wasteland, Baby! 4:26
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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